Project description:Human oviduct serves as a conduit for sperm in the peri-ovulatory phase and to nurture and facilitate transport of the developing embryo en route to the uterus for subsequent nidation during the luteal phase of the cycle. Interactions between the embryo and oviductal epithelial surface proteins and secreted products during the four day embryo transit are largely undefined. Herein, we have investigated gene expression in human oviduct in the early luteal vs. follicular phase to identify candidate genes and biomolecular processes that may participate in maturation and transport of the embryo as it traverses this tissue. Oviductal RNA was isolated, processed, and hybridized to oligonucleotide arrays. Resulting data were analyzed by bioinformatic approaches and revealed that 650 genes were significantly downregulated and 683 genes were significantly upregulated in the luteal vs. follicular phase. Real-time RT-PCR, immunoblot analysis, and immunohistochemistry confirmed select gene expression and cellular protein localization. The data demonstrate downregulation of genes involved in macrophage recruitment, immunomodulation, and matrix-degeneration and upregulation of ion transport and secretions as well as anti-angiogenic and early pregnancy recognition genes in luteal vs. follicular phase oviduct. Together, these data suggest a unique hormonally regulated environment during embryo development, maturation and transport through human oviduct. We have investigated gene expression in human oviduct in the early luteal vs. follicular phase. Oviductal RNA was isolated, processed, and hybridized to oligonucleotide arrays. Resulting data were analyzed by bioinformatic approaches and revealed that 650 genes were significantly downregulated and 683 genes were significantly upregulated in the luteal vs. follicular phase. Real-time RT-PCR, immunoblot analysis, and immunohistochemistry confirmed select gene expression and cellular protein localization.
Project description:Here we used RNAseq to compare the transcriptomes of the medio-basal hypothalamus of goats killed at two different times of the year (end of January and mid-May) and under different hormonal conditions (follicular and luteal phase, in January only). The current experiment was designed to identify the impact of photoperiod upon the transcriptome and to compare it with that of the ewe. The current design also tested the potential impact of progesterone (P4) upon this transcriptome; ewes were treated with a vaginal fluogestone acetate sponge during the breeding season (January) and killed either 2 days (follicular phase) or 8 days (luteal phase) after estrumate treatment and sponge removal.
Project description:Human oviduct serves as a conduit for sperm in the peri-ovulatory phase and to nurture and facilitate transport of the developing embryo en route to the uterus for subsequent nidation during the luteal phase of the cycle. Interactions between the embryo and oviductal epithelial surface proteins and secreted products during the four day embryo transit are largely undefined. Herein, we have investigated gene expression in human oviduct in the early luteal vs. follicular phase to identify candidate genes and biomolecular processes that may participate in maturation and transport of the embryo as it traverses this tissue. Oviductal RNA was isolated, processed, and hybridized to oligonucleotide arrays. Resulting data were analyzed by bioinformatic approaches and revealed that 650 genes were significantly downregulated and 683 genes were significantly upregulated in the luteal vs. follicular phase. Real-time RT-PCR, immunoblot analysis, and immunohistochemistry confirmed select gene expression and cellular protein localization. The data demonstrate downregulation of genes involved in macrophage recruitment, immunomodulation, and matrix-degeneration and upregulation of ion transport and secretions as well as anti-angiogenic and early pregnancy recognition genes in luteal vs. follicular phase oviduct. Together, these data suggest a unique hormonally regulated environment during embryo development, maturation and transport through human oviduct.
Project description:We conducted a prospective, open-label study to determine the effect of the NuvaRing on gene expression in the endocervix and immune-related protein expression in cervicovaginal secretions. Women provided endocervical cytobrush samples during the luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle (as determined by progesterone levels) as well as during NuvaRing use. Gene expression was measured using Illumina Human HT12 v4 BeadChip microarrays. We compared the NuvaRing visit to each phase of the menstrual cycle separately, as well as follicular and luteal phase samples to each other, adjusting for technical batch, presence of blood in vaginal discharge, and BV status by Nugent score, and blocking on participant. We found that gene expression in the endocervical canal changed across the menstrual cycle and in response to NuvaRing use. In particular, we observed a continuum of expression of immune-related genes and gene sets in the endocervical canal: highest during NuvaRing use, intermediate in the follicular phase, and lowest in the luteal phase.
Project description:Here we used RNAseq to assess the impact of progesterone (P4) on the transcriptome of the medio-basal hypothalamus of ewes. Ewes were treated with a vaginal fluogestone acetate sponge in mid-February. The sponge was removed in early March and ewes received a PMSG injection. Animals were then killed either 2 days (follicular phase) or 12 days (luteal phase) later.
Project description:Progestin-based contraception may increase the risk of vaginal HIV acquisition to a level greater than the progesterone-rich luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which has been demonstrated to have a significantly higher transmission rate compared to the follicular phase. We used pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) model to evaluate the effects of administration of the oral the combined oral contraceptives (COCs) depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and levonorgestrel (LNG) on mucosal factors that influence HIV susceptibility. We compared the pH and vaginal epithelial thickness data from previous studies, and evaluated contraception-induced molecular changes in the vagina using transcriptional and cytokine profiling. The administration of DMPA caused a pronounced thinning of the vaginal epilthelium relative to measurements takein in the follicular or luteal phase. DMPA also induced a significant increase in vaginal IL10 expression. Lastly, using RNA-Seq analyses of vaginal biopsies, we noted that both DMPA- and LNG-based contraception induced a signature of gene expression similar to that of the luteal phase, only more exacerbated, and including widespread down-regulation of HIV-restriction genes. Use of progestin-based contraception might engender a milieu that poses an increased risk of HIV transmission than that of the luteal phase via vaginal thinning, induction of immunosuppressive cytokines, and widespread suppression of HIV restriction factors.
Project description:Background The uterus is a pivotal organ for mammalian reproduction, directly determining reproductive success by orchestrating embryo implantation, placental development, fetal nourishment, and parturition. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating high fecundity in the uterus across different stages of the estrous cycle remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the genetic regulation of goat fecundity through integrated proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of uterine tissues. Results Twenty healthy female Yunshang black goats (2-3 years old, body weight 52.22±0.43 kg) were stratified into high- and low-fecundity groups during the follicular (FH and FL, n=5 per group) and luteal (LH and LL, n=5 per group) phases. Using data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry, we quantified 4,455 proteins. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified the lightcyan module as highly correlated with high fecundity in the luteal phase, with hub proteins including IDH2, PSAT1, MDH1, UBQLN1, RPLP1, SEC23B, RAD23B, PSPH, and MTHFD2. Additionally, 125 and 183 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were detected in the FH vs. FL and LH vs. LL comparisons, respectively. Biological adhesion processes, closely linked to transport activity, were implicated in uterine function, with key proteins such as PKP4, COL4A1, LPCAT4, ARRB1, SERPINA5, CDK9, and HDAC7 identified as potentially critical for embryo–uterine communication. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed significant upregulation of the relaxin signaling pathway during the follicular phase, which may promote uterine tissue remodeling, extracellular matrix degradation, and angiogenesis, thereby facilitating preparation for embryo implantation. During the luteal phase, enhanced activity of the terpenoid backbone biosynthesis pathway was observed, suggesting increased production of cholesterol and steroid hormone precursors to support metabolic demands and pre-receptive steroid signaling in the uterus. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that specific protein co-expression modules and hub proteins are closely associated with high fecundity in goats. The stage-specific activation of key pathways, including relaxin signaling and terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, underscores the dynamic molecular reprogramming of the uterus during the estrous cycle. This study provides novel insights into the proteomic and transcriptomic basis of uterine prolificacy and offers valuable resources for molecular breeding strategies aimed at enhancing reproductive efficiency in livestock.
Project description:Compare luteal and follicular phases of fimbria and ampulla tissue Fallopian tube epithelial cells for gene expression analysis of fimbria and ampulla specimens were obtained using LCM
Project description:In both beef and dairy cattle, the majority of embryo loss occurs in the first 14 days following insemination. During this period, the embryo is completely dependent on its maternal uterine environment for development, growth and ultimately survival, therefore an optimum uterine environment is critical to embryo survival. We used microarrays to assess endometrial gene expression in high and low fertility heifers during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle.