Abstract

A synthetic progestin altrenogest (ALT) is used to synchronize the estrus cycle of swine for fixed-time artificial insemination (AI) and has been shown to improve follicular development and reproductive performances in post-weaning sows. However, the effects of ALT treatment on reproductive tracts, including the ovaries, oviducts and uterus have not been yet clarified. In this study, we examined the expression of genes involved in endometrial responses in ALT-treated sows. ALT did not significantly alter luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol profiles in blood compared to untreated control. Quantitative RT-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the expression of genes encoding galectin-3 (LGALS3) and fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) was upregulated in the reproductive tracts of ALT-treated sows, including the ovaries, oviducts and uteri. Moreover, ALT treatment induced the expression of FGF9 and galectin-3 proteins, and promoted their localization to the luminal epithelium of the oviducts and uterus. Our findings suggest that the enhancement of reproductive performance shown by ALT-treated sows is associated with the upregulation of galectin-3 and FGF9, which are essential for endometrial receptivity, successful implantation, and pregnancy.

摘要

合成孕激素雌激素 (ALT) 用于同步猪的发情周期以进行固定时间人工授精 (AI)，并已被证明可以改善断奶后母猪的卵泡发育和繁殖性能。然而，ALT治疗对生殖道，包括卵巢、输卵管和子宫的影响尚未阐明。在这项研究中，我们检查了 ALT 处理的母猪子宫内膜反应相关基因的表达。与未经治疗的对照相比，ALT 没有显着改变血液中的促黄体激素 (LH)、促卵泡激素 (FSH) 和雌二醇谱。定量 RT-聚合酶链反应 (qRT-PCR) 分析表明，编码半乳糖凝集素 3 ( LGALS3 ) 和成纤维细胞生长因子 9 ( FGF9) 在 ALT 处理的母猪的生殖道中被上调，包括卵巢、输卵管和子宫。此外，ALT 处理诱导 FGF9 和 galectin-3 蛋白的表达，并促进它们定位于输卵管和子宫的管腔上皮。我们的研究结果表明，ALT 处理的母猪繁殖性能的提高与 galectin-3 和 FGF9 的上调有关，这对子宫内膜容受性、成功植入和妊娠至关重要。