Relationship between quantity of IFNT estimated by IFN-stimulated gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and bovine embryonic mortality after AI or ET

• Main Authors: Matsuyama Shuichi (Author), Kojima Takatoshi (Author), Kato Satoru (Author), Kimura Koji (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2012-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/1477-7827-10-21; 1477-7827
• Keywords: Interferon tau; Interferon-stimulated gene 15-kDa protein; Embryonic mortality; Maternal recognition period; Cattle; Peripheral blood mononuclear cells; Corpus luteum; Estrous cycle; Gynecology and obstetrics; RG1-991; Reproduction; QH471-489
• Source: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, Vol 10, Iss 1, p 21 (2012)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Interferon tau (IFNT), which is secreted into the uterine cavity during the maternal recognition period (MRP), is a key factor for establishment of pregnancy. The present study aims to clarify the relationship between the ability of a bovine conceptus to produce IFNT during the MRP and the conceptus's ability to establish pregnancy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the first experiment, IFNT (0, 500, or 1000 micrograms) was administered into the uterine horn ipsilateral to the CL 16 or 17 d after standing estrus, and mRNA levels of IFN-stimulated gene 15-kDa protein (<it>ISG15</it>) and <it>Mx2 </it>in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were determined. In the second experiment, we investigated <it>ISG15 </it>mRNA expression in PBMCs during the MRP in cattle after either artificial insemination (AI) or embryo transfer (ET).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Intrauterine administration of IFNT stimulated <it>ISG15 </it>and <it>Mx2 </it>gene expressions in PBMCs in cattle, and there was a positive correlation between the expressions of peripheral markers and the quantity of IFNT administered. In pregnant and normal interestrous interval (< 25 d) cattle (nIEI cattle), expression levels of the <it>ISG15 </it>gene showed similar patterns after AI and ET, and <it>ISG15 </it>mRNA expression was increased in pregnant cattle but unchanged in nIEI cattle. In contrast, <it>ISG15 </it>gene expression in extended interestrous interval (greater than or equal to 25 d) cattle (eIEI cattle) differed after ET compared with AI. In eIEI cattle after ET, <it>ISG15 </it>gene expression increased, such that the value on day 18 was intermediate between those of pregnant and nIEI cattle. In eIEI cattle after AI, <it>ISG15 </it>gene expression did not increase throughout the observation period.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results of the current study indicate that the quantity of conceptus-derived IFNT can be estimated by measuring <it>ISG15 </it>mRNA levels in PBMCs from cattle. Using this approach, we demonstrate that <it>ISG15 </it>gene expression during the MRP in eIEI cattle differed after ET compared with AI. In addition, the modest increase in <it>ISG15 </it>gene expression in eIEI cattle after ET suggests that late embryo losses were due to delayed or insufficient growth of the conceptus during the MRP in cattle.</p>