RESUMO
To assist in evaluating and quantifying tissue changes, fractal dimension (FD) is a useful method for assessing the organization in an image from fractals that describes the amount of space and the self-similarity of the structure, once FD detects subtle morphological changes and performs functional quantitative measures. Here, we hypothesized that fractal analysis may be different in functional and regressing bovine corpus luteum (CL) and may be correlated with differential expression of genes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling. CL presents two developmental stages, the functional and regressing CL, according to progesterone levels and morphology. First, we found a lower FD in functional CL using HE staining and picrosirius red approach. Additionally, we found a great amount of total collagen in regressing CL. Regarding gene expression, we showed an up regulation of COL1A1, COL1A2, MMP2, and MMP14 and a down regulation of TIMP1 and TIMP2 in regressing CL compared to the functional one. Thus, we concluded that differential FD observed during luteal regression is an effective method to evaluate the tissue changes observed during luteal development in cattle and is related to differential quantity of genes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling.
Assuntos
Colágeno Tipo I/genética , Corpo Lúteo/metabolismo , Matriz Extracelular/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento , Luteólise/metabolismo , Animais , Compostos Azo , Bovinos , Colágeno Tipo I/metabolismo , Corpo Lúteo/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Corpo Lúteo/ultraestrutura , Amarelo de Eosina-(YS) , Matriz Extracelular/ultraestrutura , Feminino , Fractais , Hematoxilina , Histocitoquímica/métodos , Luteólise/genética , Metaloproteinase 14 da Matriz/genética , Metaloproteinase 14 da Matriz/metabolismo , Metaloproteinase 2 da Matriz/genética , Metaloproteinase 2 da Matriz/metabolismo , Isoformas de Proteínas/genética , Isoformas de Proteínas/metabolismo , Inibidor Tecidual de Metaloproteinase-1/genética , Inibidor Tecidual de Metaloproteinase-1/metabolismo , Inibidor Tecidual de Metaloproteinase-2/genética , Inibidor Tecidual de Metaloproteinase-2/metabolismoRESUMO
Frizzled 3 is an important receptor in the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, a conserved signaling pathway that regulates gene expression and controls diverse developmental processes. However, the role of this protein during follicular development in the adult ovary is not known. The present study was designed to investigate the expression and localization of Frizzled 3 mRNA and protein during the estrous cycle in the mouse ovary through in situ hybridization (ISH), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and western blot. ISH results showed that in proestrus, high expression of Frizzled 3 was found in the granulosa and stroma with weak levels in the corpus luteum. In estrus and diestrus, the stroma had high Frizzled 3 expression, but levels were low in granulosa cells and corpus luteum. In the metestrus, moderate expression of Frizzled 3 was found in the stroma but low to no expression was found in luteal cells and follicles. The mRNA and protein levels of Frizzled 3 were found to be the highest in proestrus and diestrus compared to estrus and metestrus (P < 0.05), confirming the ISH results. During estrus and diestrus, high Frizzled 3 expression was observed in the stroma and moderate levels in granulosa cells, and during estrus and proestrus, low expression was seen in the oocyte cell membrane. The western blot results further confirmed this change during the estrous cycle. Together, these results indicate that Frizzled 3 is involved in regulating follicular development and oocyte maturation during the estrous cycle.
Assuntos
Corpo Lúteo/metabolismo , Receptores Frizzled/genética , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento , Oócitos/metabolismo , Folículo Ovariano/metabolismo , Animais , Corpo Lúteo/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Corpo Lúteo/ultraestrutura , Diestro/genética , Estro/genética , Feminino , Receptores Frizzled/metabolismo , Hibridização In Situ , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos ICR , Oócitos/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Oócitos/ultraestrutura , Folículo Ovariano/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Folículo Ovariano/ultraestrutura , Proestro/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Exogenous eCG for stimulation of a single dominant follicle or for superovulation are common strategies to improve reproductive efficiency by increasing pregnancy rates and embryo production, respectively. Morphofunctional changes in the CL of eCG-treated cattle include increases in CL volume and plasma progesterone concentrations. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that eCG alters the content of luteal cells and mitochondria related to hormone production. Twelve crossbred beef cows were synchronized and then allocated into three groups (four cows per group) and received no further treatment (control) or were given eCG either before or after follicular deviation (superovulation and stimulation of the dominant follicle, respectively). Six days after ovulation, cows were slaughtered and CL collected for morphohistologic and ultrastructural analysis. Mitochondrial volume per CL was highest in superovulated followed by stimulated and then control cows (18,500 ± 2630, 12,300 ± 2640, and 7670 ± 3400 µm(3); P < 0.001), and the density of spherical mitochondria and the total number of large luteal cells were increased (P < 0.05) in stimulated cows compared with the other two groups (110.32 ± 14.22, 72.26 ± 8.77, and 70.46 ± 9.58 mitochondria per µm(3) and 678 ± 147, 245 ± 199, and 346 ± 38 × 10(6) cells, respectively. However, the largest diameters of the large luteal cells were increased in superovulated and control cows versus stimulated ones (32.32 ± 0.06, 31.59 ± 0.81, and 29.44 ± 0.77 µm; P < 0.0001). In contrast, the total number of small luteal cells was increased in superovulated cows (1456 ± 268, 492 ± 181, and 822 ± 461 × 10(6), P < 0.05). In conclusion, there were indications of cellular changes related to increased hormonal production (stimulatory treatment) and increased CL volume (superovulatory treatment).
Assuntos
Corpo Lúteo/efeitos dos fármacos , Corpo Lúteo/metabolismo , Gonadotropinas Equinas/farmacologia , Progesterona/biossíntese , Animais , Bovinos , Corpo Lúteo/ultraestrutura , Estradiol/sangue , Sincronização do Estro , Feminino , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Mitocôndrias/efeitos dos fármacos , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/ultraestrutura , Indução da Ovulação/métodos , Indução da Ovulação/veterinária , Gravidez , Progesterona/administração & dosagem , Progesterona/sangueRESUMO
Steroids synthesized in the central nervous system are termed "neurosteroids". They are synthesized and metabolized in several brain areas. The objective of this work was to determine if 1 intracerebroventricular allopregnanolone injection in rats can interfere in luteal regression in a close relationship with modifications in LH, progesterone, and prolactin serum concentrations. Allopregnanolone was injected during proestrus morning and the animals were sacrificed on oestrous morning. Ovulation test and histological analysis were performed in the oestrus morning with light and electron microscopy. Serum prolactin, LH, and progesterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The allopregnanolone injection significantly decreased luteinizing hormone serum level and the number of oocytes on oestrus. Progesterone and prolactin serum levels were increased after this injection. The inhibition of apoptotic figures due to allopregnanolone administration was detected in the already formed corpora lutea belonging to the previous ovary cycle and it was significantly lower than in vehicle group (control). When the GABA(A) antagonist (bicuculline) was administered alone or previously to allopregnanolone, no effect on the ovulation rate was observed. No changes in the apoptotic cell numbers were observed with respect to those of vehicle group. These results show that the effect of centrally injected allopreganolone over reproductive function could be due to a centrally originated LH mediated effect over ovarian function that affects luteal regression, through the inhibition of apoptosis and stimulation of progesterone and prolactin release.
Assuntos
Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Hormônio Luteinizante/sangue , Pregnanolona/farmacologia , Progesterona/sangue , Prolactina/sangue , Animais , Contagem de Células , Corpo Lúteo/citologia , Corpo Lúteo/efeitos dos fármacos , Corpo Lúteo/ultraestrutura , Feminino , Oócitos/citologia , Oócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Pregnanolona/administração & dosagem , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-DawleyRESUMO
En un par de líneas de ratones seleccionadas para alto (s') y bajo peso (s), originadas a partir de una población no seleccionada de la cepa CF1 (t), se modificó la estructura ovárica. El diámetro de los folículos ováricos y el número de folículos y de cuerpos lúteos se incrementaron en las hembras de la línea s', sin expresarse en un mayor tamaño de camada al nacimiento, posiblemente, por un aumento de las pérdidas gestacionales. Se probó si los efectos conjuntos de la selección de peso a largo plazo y de la estimulación ovárica incrementaban las pérdidas gestacionales. Se utilizaron dos grupos de hembras por línea: sin y con estimulación ovárica (5UI de eCG y 5UI de hCG). Las hembras se sacrificaron a las 56-72 hs y a los 7 días postservicio y después de la primera parición. Se observaron los números de cuerpos lúteos (CL), embriones (E) y sitios de implantación (SI) y el tamaño de camada al nacimiento (TC). Se estimaron las pérdidas totales (PT) y las pérdidas de cuerpos lúteos (PCL), de embriones (PE) y de fetos (PF). Los promedios de CL, E, SI y TC variaron en el mismo sentido de la selección practicada y fueron significativamente mayores (P<0,05) para las hembras estimuladas, a excepción de TC. La línea s' tuvo un potencial reproductivo superior pero un mayor costo biológico (mayor PT y más tardía) cuando se la comparó con las otras líneas. La estimulación ovárica produjo menores eficiencias reproductivas totales para las tres líneas y pérdidas gestacionales mayores y más tardías, principalmente de SI. Las hembras de la línea no seleccionada (t), no estimuladas, con pesos intermedios, parieron un mayor número de crías, partiendo de un número intermedio de CL, E y SI, con una menor y más temprana mortalidad embrionaria, demostrando ser las más eficientes desde el punto de vista reproductivo y productivo.
The ovarian structure was modified as a consequence of weight selection in a pair of mouse lines selected for high (s') and low weight (s). Lines were founded from an unselected population of CF1 strain (t). The follicle diameter and the number of the ovarian follicles and the corpora lutea were higher in s' females, but they did not reach a larger litter size at birth, may be, by an increase in the gestational losses. In these lines, the co-effects of long-term weight selection and ovarian stimulation were tested to evaluate if they increased gestational losses. Two groups of females per line were employed: without and with ovarian stimulation (5UI of eCG and 5UI of hCG). Females were slaughtered at 56-72hs and at 7 days post-breeding and after first parturition. The number of corpora lutea (CL), embryos (E) and implantation sites (SI), and litter size at birth (TC) were observed. Total losses (PT) and corpora lutea (PCL), embryo (PE) and fetus (PF) losses were estimated. Mean CL, E, SI and TC varied in the same direction of the selection made and they were significantly higher (P<0.05) in stimulated females, though not for TC. Line s' had a higher reproductive potential but a greater biological cost (higher and later gestational mortality) when compared with the other lines. Ovarian stimulation produced lower total reproductive efficiencies for the three lines and higher and later gestational losses, mainly for implantation sites. Females from unselected line (t), without ovarian stimulation, with intermediate weights, bore larger litters, starting from an intermediate number of CL, E and SI, with a lower and earlier embryo mortality, showing to be the most efficient from a reproductive and productive point of view.
Assuntos
Animais , Feminino , Lactente , Ratos , Corpo Lúteo/anatomia & histologia , Corpo Lúteo/embriologia , Corpo Lúteo/ultraestrutura , Indução da Ovulação/efeitos adversos , Indução da Ovulação/métodos , Perda do Embrião/diagnóstico , Perda do Embrião/induzido quimicamente , Perda do Embrião/mortalidade , Técnicas Reprodutivas/efeitos adversos , Técnicas Reprodutivas/veterináriaRESUMO
We investigated the expression and cell localization of NOTCH1, NOTCH4, and the delta-like ligand DLL4 in corpus luteum (CL) from pregnant rats during prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha)-induced luteolysis. We also examined serum progesterone (P(4)) and CL proteins related to apoptosis after local administration of the notch inhibitor N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl-l-alanyl)]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT). Specific staining for NOTCH1 and NOTCH4 receptors was detected predominantly in large and small luteal cells. Furthermore, in line with the fact that the notch intracellular domain is translocated to the nucleus, where it regulates gene expression, staining was evident in the nuclei of luteal cells. In addition, we detected diffuse cytoplasmic immunostaining for DLL4 in small and large luteal cells, in accordance with the fact that DLL4 undergoes proteolytic degradation after receptor binding. The mRNA expression of Notch1, Notch4, and Dll4 in CL isolated on Day 19 of pregnancy decreased significantly after administration of PGF2alpha. Consistent with the mRNA results, administration of PGF2alpha to pregnant rats on Day 19 of pregnancy decreased the protein fragment corresponding to the cleaved forms of NOTCH1/4 CL receptors. In contrast, no significant changes were detected in protein levels for the ligand DLL4. The local intrabursal administration of DAPT decreased serum P(4) levels and increased luteal levels of active caspase 3 and the BAX:BCL2 ratio 24 h after the treatment. These results support a luteotropic role for notch signaling to promote luteal cell viability and steroidogenesis, and they suggest that the luteolytic hormone PGF2alpha may act in part by reducing the expression of some notch system members.
Assuntos
Corpo Lúteo/metabolismo , Dinoprosta/metabolismo , Luteólise/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Proteínas da Gravidez/metabolismo , Receptor Notch1/metabolismo , Receptores Notch/metabolismo , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/antagonistas & inibidores , Animais , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Caspase 3/metabolismo , Núcleo Celular/metabolismo , Corpo Lúteo/efeitos dos fármacos , Corpo Lúteo/ultraestrutura , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intracelular , Luteólise/sangue , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/metabolismo , Gravidez , Proteínas da Gravidez/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas da Gravidez/genética , Progesterona/sangue , Inibidores de Proteases/farmacologia , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Receptor Notch1/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptor Notch1/genética , Receptor Notch4 , Receptores Notch/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptores Notch/genética , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Since the regression of the corpus luteum (CL) occurs via a tightly controlled apoptotic process, studies were designed to determine if local administration of the antiapoptotic agent sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) effectively blocks the luteolytic action of prostaglandin F-2alpha (PGF-2alpha). On day 19 of pregnancy, 2 hr before systemic PGF-2alpha administration, rats were injected intrabursa with either S1P or vehicle (control). The activity of four caspases, which contribute to the initial (caspase-2, -8, and -9) and final (caspase-3) events in apoptosis was measured in pooled CL from four individual ovaries at 0 and 4 hr after PGF-2alpha injection. The expression of the phosphorylated form of AKT (pAKT) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was analyzed by ELISA. In addition, cell death was evaluated by electronic microscopy (EM) in CL 4 and 36 hr after PGF-2alpha injection. The activity of caspase-2, -3, and -8 was significantly greater by 4 hr after PGF-2alpha, but not caspase-9 activity. In contrast, expression of pAKT and TNF-alpha decreased significantly. Administration of S1P suppressed (P < 0.05) these effects, decreasing caspase activities and increasing pAKT and TNF-alpha expression. The administration of S1P also significantly decreased the percentage of luteal apoptotic cells induced by PGF-2alpha. PGF-2alpha treatment increased the prevalence of luteal cells with advanced signs of apoptosis (i.e., multiple nuclear fragments, chromatin condensation, or apoptotic bodies). S1P treatment suppressed these changes and increased the blood vessel density. These results suggest that S1P blocks the luteolytic effect of the PGF-2alpha by decreasing caspase-2, -3, and -8 activities and increasing AKT phosphorylation and TNF-alpha expression.
Assuntos
Dinoprosta/metabolismo , Luteólise , Lisofosfolipídeos/farmacologia , Esfingosina/análogos & derivados , Animais , Caspase 2/metabolismo , Caspase 3/metabolismo , Caspase 8/metabolismo , Caspase 9/metabolismo , Corpo Lúteo/metabolismo , Corpo Lúteo/ultraestrutura , Feminino , Luteólise/efeitos dos fármacos , Luteólise/fisiologia , Lisofosfolipídeos/metabolismo , Molécula-1 de Adesão Celular Endotelial a Plaquetas/metabolismo , Gravidez , Progesterona/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-akt/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Esfingosina/metabolismo , Esfingosina/farmacologia , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMO
CONTEXT: The natural process of luteolysis and luteal regression is induced by withdrawal of gonadotropin support. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare the functional changes and apoptotic features of natural human luteal regression and induced luteal regression; 2) to define the ultrastructural characteristics of the corpus luteum at the time of natural luteal regression and induced luteal regression; and 3) to examine the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the steroidogenic response and apoptotic markers within the regressing corpus luteum. DESIGN: Twenty-three women with normal menstrual cycles undergoing tubal ligation donated corpus luteum at specific stages in the luteal phase. Some women received a GnRH antagonist prior to collection of corpus luteum, others received an injection of hCG with or without prior treatment with a GnRH antagonist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Main outcome measures were plasma hormone levels and analysis of excised luteal tissue for markers of apoptosis, histology, and ultrastructure. RESULTS: The progesterone and estradiol levels, corpus luteum DNA, and protein contents in induced luteal regression resembled those of natural luteal regression. hCG treatment raised progesterone and estradiol in both natural luteal regression and induced luteal regression. The increase in apoptosis detected in induced luteal regression by cytochrome c in the cytosol, activated caspase-3, and nuclear DNA fragmentation, was similar to that observed in natural luteal regression. The antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 was significantly lower during natural luteal regression. The proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bak were at a constant level. Apoptotic and nonapoptotic death of luteal cells was observed in natural luteal regression and induced luteal regression at the ultrastructural level. hCG prevented apoptotic cell death, but not autophagy. CONCLUSION: The low number of apoptotic cells disclosed and the frequent autophagocytic suggest that multiple mechanisms are involved in cell death at luteal regression. hCG restores steroidogenic function and restrains the apoptotic process, but not autophagy.
Assuntos
Gonadotropina Coriônica/farmacologia , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/antagonistas & inibidores , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/sangue , Luteólise/efeitos dos fármacos , Adulto , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Autofagia/efeitos dos fármacos , Caspase 3/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Corpo Lúteo/efeitos dos fármacos , Corpo Lúteo/ultraestrutura , Citocromos c/biossíntese , Citocromos c/metabolismo , DNA/biossíntese , DNA/genética , Feminino , Imunofluorescência , Humanos , Marcação In Situ das Extremidades Cortadas , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-bcl-2/biossíntese , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-bcl-2/genética , Proteína X Associada a bcl-2/biossíntese , Proteína X Associada a bcl-2/genéticaRESUMO
Administration of RU486 to late pregnant rats results in preterm delivery 24 h after treatment and the induction of a luteolytic process after labor. We investigated whether functional changes occurring within the corpora lutea after RU486 treatment were associated with morphologic features of apoptotic cell death. Rats on d 18 of pregnancy were treated with RU486 (5 mg/kg) at 10:00 am and killed 72 h after. We studied the number of apoptotic cells in paraffin sections of the corpora lutea by routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and by in situ 3' end labeling (TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling [TUNEL]). The corpora lutea were also processed for electron microscopy to study ultrastructural changes after RU486 treatment. The number of cells showing apoptotic nuclei in H&E-stained sections was higher in RU486-treated animals than in controls (vehicle-treated rats). The quantification of the number of apoptotic nuclei within the corpora lutea performed by TUNEL confirmed the higher number of apoptotic nuclei in animals receiving the antigestagen compared with controls. Ultrastructurally, the luteal cells undergoing apoptosis presented a highly deteriorated cytoplasmic organization The nuclei, in an initial step of regression, displayed condensation of the chromatin, a prominent nucleolus, and a perinuclear space. In an advanced step of degeneration, the nuclei showed evidence of large irregular aggregates of condensed chromatin. Prostaglandin F2,alpha(PGF2alpha), which mediates the luteolytic action of RU486, mimicked the effect of the antigestagen on the induction of apoptosis when administered to rats on d 18 of pregnancy (100 microg at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm), which were killed 72 after the last injection. In conclusion, the present results indicate that functional luteolysis in rats is associated with structural luteal regression with the morphologic features of apoptotic cell death, as demonstrated by studying the luteolytic process induced by the administration of the antigestagen RU486.