Author:
Wollenhaupt Karin,Kettler Axel,Brüssow Klaus-Peter,Schneider Falk,Kanitz Wilhelm,Einspanier Ralf
Abstract
Growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), have been suggested to
mediate local effects of steroid hormones within female reproductive tissue.
In the present study, the influence of estrogen on the expression and
bioactivity of the EGF receptor (EGF-R) system was investigated in pigs.
Oviducal and endometrial tissue from gilts was analysed either at two
different time points after ovulation (Day 12 and Day 20), or from
ovariectomized animals, with or without steroid-replacement treatment.
Estrogen receptor protein concentrations were significantly down-regulated
both in oviducal and endometrial tissue under estrogen-influence, in contrast
to increased progesterone receptor concentrations. Transcript levels of EGF
and transforming growth factor α remained unchanged in both the oviduct
and endometrium during treatment. Oviducal EGF-R mRNA was found to be
increased after estradiol treatment with concurrent increases in EGF-R
protein. However, in endometrial tissue of estradiol-substituted
ovariectomized pigs, the receptor transcript was significantly reduced,
indicating a different regulation of EGF-R transcription within the
endometrium. The bioactivity of the EGF-R, analysed by tyrosine kinase assays,
was preserved throughout experiments in the porcine oviduct and endometrium
without obvious changes caused by the steroids. In conclusion, estradiol may
play a key role during the proliferation and differentiation of porcine
oviducal tissue by activating the important paracrine or autocrine EGF system
through its receptor. The cell-specific influence of progesterone during
regulation of the EGF-R expression in the endometrium requires further
investigation.
Subject
Developmental Biology,Endocrinology,Genetics,Molecular Biology,Animal Science and Zoology,Reproductive Medicine,Biotechnology
Cited by
24 articles.
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