Global gene expression in the bovine corpus luteum is altered after stimulatory and superovulatory treatments

• Published in: Reproduction fertility and development Vol. 25; no. 7; pp. 998 - 1011
• Main Authors: Fátima, Luciana A, Baruselli, Pietro S, Gimenes, Lindsay U, Binelli, Mario, Rennó, Francisco P, Murphy, Bruce D, Papa, Paula C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia CSIRO Publishing 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Animals; artificial insemination; biosynthesis; Cattle - metabolism; corpus luteum; Corpus Luteum - anatomy & histology; Corpus Luteum - drug effects; Corpus Luteum - metabolism; cows; equine chorionic gonadotropin; Female; follistatin; gene expression; gene expression regulation; Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects; genes; gonadotropin-releasing hormone; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - administration & dosage; Gonadotropins, Equine - administration & dosage; Insemination, Artificial - methods; Insemination, Artificial - veterinary; Lipids - biosynthesis; Lipids - genetics; Microarray Analysis - veterinary; microarray technology; Nellore; ovulation; Ovulation Induction - methods; Ovulation Induction - veterinary; progesterone; Progesterone - administration & dosage; Progesterone - biosynthesis; Progesterone - genetics; prolactin receptors; quantitative polymerase chain reaction; Superovulation; transcriptome; Western blotting
• ISSN: 1031-3613; 1448-5990
• DOI: 10.1071/RD12155

Equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) has been widely used in superovulation and artificial insemination programmes and usually promotes an increase in corpus luteum (CL) volume and stimulates progesterone production. Therefore, to identify eCG-regulated genes in the bovine CL, the transcriptome was evaluated by microarray analysis and the expression of selected genes was validated by qPCR and western blot. Eighteen Nelore crossbred cows were divided into control (n=5), stimulated (n=6) and superovulated groups (n=7). Ovulation was synchronised using a progesterone device-based protocol. Stimulated animals received 400IU of eCG at device removal and superovulated animals received 2000IU of eCG 4 days prior. Corpora lutea were collected 7 days after gonadotrophin-releasing hormone administration. Overall, 242 transcripts were upregulated and 111 transcripts were downregulated in stimulated cows (P≤0.05) and 111 were upregulated and 113 downregulated in superovulated cows compared to the control animals (1.5-fold, P≤0.05). Among the differentially expressed genes, many were involved in lipid biosynthesis and progesterone production, such as PPARG, STAR, prolactin receptors and follistatin. In conclusion, eCG modulates gene expression differently depending on the treatment, i.e. stimulatory or superovulatory. Our data contribute to the understanding of the pathways involved in increased progesterone levels observed after eCG treatment.