CSIRO PublishingActa Medica Okayama1031-36132862014Endothelin as a local regulating factor in the bovine oviduct673681ENYukiYamamotoLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama UniversityMisaKohkaLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama UniversityYoshihikoKobayashiLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama UniversityIzabelaWoclawek-PotockaDepartment of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of SciencesKiyoshiOkudaLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Endothelin (EDN) is a possible regulating factor of oviductal motility, which is important for the transport of gametes and embryo. To clarify the factors that control the secretion of EDN in the bovine oviduct, the expression of EDNs, EDN-converting enzymes (ECEs) and EDN receptors (EDNRs) were investigated. All isoforms of EDN (EDN1-3), ECE (ECE1 and ECE2) and EDNR (EDNRA and EDNRB) were immunolocalised in the epithelial cells of the ampulla and the isthmus. EDNRs were also immunolocalised in smooth-muscle cells. The mRNA expression of EDN2 and ECE2 was higher in cultured ampullary oviductal epithelial cells than in isthmic cells. The expression of EDN1, EDN2 and ECE2 in the ampullary tissue was highest on the day of ovulation. Oestradiol-17β increased EDN2 and ECE1 expression, while progesterone increased only ECE1 expression in cultured ampullary epithelial cells. These results indicate that EDNs are produced by epithelial cells and their target site is smooth-muscle and epithelial cells, and suggest that ovarian steroids are regulators of endothelin synthesis in ampullary oviductal epithelial cells.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.CSIRO PublishingActa Medica Okayama103136132972016Expressions of lipoprotein receptors and cholesterol efflux regulatory proteins during luteolysis in bovine corpus luteum12801286ENKeiHorihataLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama UniversityShinYoshiokaLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama UniversityMasahiroSanoLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama UniversityYukiYamamotoLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama UniversityKojiKimuraLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama UniversityDariusz J.SkarzynskiDepartment of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of SciencesKiyoshiOkudaLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University The corpus luteum (CL) synthesises and secretes progesterone (P4), which is essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in mammals. P4 is synthesised from cholesterol. Cholesterol is internalised by low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and/or scavenger receptor B1 (SR-BI), and is effluxed by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter A1 (ABCA1) and G1 (ABCG1). To test the hypothesis that lipoprotein receptors and ABC transporters are involved in functional luteolysis, we examined the expression of LDLR, SR-BI, ABCA1 and ABCG1 in bovine CL during the luteal stages and after injection of prostaglandin (PG) F2α on Day 10 after ovulation. Expression of LDLR and SR-BI mRNA and protein was lower in the regressed luteal than late luteal stage. Injection of cows with a PGF2α did not affect LDLR mRNA and protein levels in the CL. Although expression of SR-BI mRNA did not change, SR-BI protein expression decreased 12 and 24 h after PGF2α injection. The overall findings of the present study suggest that the decreased expression of SR-BI induced by PGF2α is one of the factors responsible for the continuous decrease in P4 production during functional luteolysis.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.WileyActa Medica Okayama2051-817X8222020Alteration of chemokine production in bovine endometrial epithelial and stromal cells under heat stress conditionse14640ENShunsukeSakaiLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama UniversityToshimitsuHatabuLaboratory of Animal Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama UniversityYukiYamamotoLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama UniversityKojiKimuraLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama UniversityAfter parturition, cows frequently develop uterine bacterial infections, resulting in the onset of endometritis. To eliminate the bacteria, bovine endometrial cells secrete chemokines, such as IL-6 and MCP1, which attract macrophages (M Phi s) to the subepithelial stroma. These attracted M Phi s are not only involved in bacterial elimination but also the orchestration of inflammation and tissue repair. These immune responses aid in the recovery from endometritis; however, the recovery from endometritis takes longer in summer than in any other season. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that heat stress (HS) affects the chemokine production in endometrial cells. To confirm this hypothesis, we compared IL-6 and MCP1 production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in bovine endometrial epithelial and stromal cells under normal (38.5 degrees C) and HS conditions (40.5 degrees C). In the endometrial epithelial cells, IL-6 production stimulated by LPS was significantly (p < .05) suppressed under HS conditions. MCP1 production in endometrial epithelial cells was not detected under both the control and HS conditions regardless of the presence of LPS. Moreover, LPS significantly (p < .05) stimulated IL-6 and MCP1 production in endometrial stromal cells. Moreover, HS significantly (p < .05) enhanced their production compared to that under the control conditions. In addition, HS did not affect the migration ability of M Phi s; however, the supernatant of the endometrial stromal cells cultured under the HS condition significantly (p < .05) attracted the M Phi s when compared to the control condition. These results suggest that HS disrupts chemokine production in two types of endometrial cells and alters the distribution of M Phi s in the endometrium during the summer.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.岡山大学農学部Acta Medica Okayama2186-77551052016ウシ卵管平滑筋運動を制御する局所 因子とその発現制御機構2933ENYukiYamamoto Oviductal motility is required for transport of oocyte and embryo resulting in successful fertilization and implantation in mammals. The oviduct consists of epithelial, stromal and smooth muscle layers. Oviductal motility is systemically and locally regulated by various factors including prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF) and endothelins (EDNs), and relaxing factors including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide (NO). The objective of our research is to clarify the regulatory system of oviductal motility including the production mechanisms of these factors in cattle. First, the expressions of regulating factors of oviductal motility were examined throughout the estrous cycle in the bovine oviduct. Some of them showed cyclical changes, which suggested that they were controlled by some other factors. Second, the effects of ovarian steroids or oviductal local factors on the expressions of PGs, EDNs and NO synthases were investigated using cell culture method. Several factors such as estradiol‒17beta, progesterone and lysophosphatidic acid affected the expressions of regulating factors of smooth muscle motility. In addition, we found that these actions differed between the ampulla and isthmus in same types of cultured cell. Our studies suggest that regulatory factors of oviductal motility are produced during the optimal period and at proper location to transport the oocyte and early embryo in the bovine oviduct. Although the precise control of oviductal motility is essential for successful pregnancy, methods for diagnosing and treating of its functional abnormality have not been established yet not only in cows but also in other animals including human. Our studies should contribute to improving the fertility rates in mammals.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Society for Reproduction and DevelopmentActa Medica Okayama0916-88186962023Effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 on the mRNA expression of estradiol receptors, steroidogenic enzymes, and steroid production in bovine follicles337346ENAhmad FaridRawanLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama UniversityHikmatullahLangarLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama UniversityMahoMunetomoLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama UniversityYukiYamamotoLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama UniversityKoheiKawanoLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama UniversityKojiKimuraLaboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama UniversityInsulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays a crucial role in follicular growth and stimulates steroid hormone production in bovine follicles. Steroid hormones are synthesized through the actions of steroidogenic enzymes, specifically STAR, CYP11A1, HSD3B, and CYP19A1 in both theca cells (TCs) and granulosa cells (GCs), under the influence of gonadotropins. Particularly, estradiol 17 beta (E2) assumes a central role in follicular development and selection by activating estrogen receptors beta (ESR2) in GCs. We assessed ESR2 mRNA expression in GCs of developing follicles and investigated the impact of IGF-1 on the mRNA expression of ESR2, CYP19A1, FSHR, and LHCGR, STAR, CYP11A1, and HSD17B in cultured GCs and TCs, respectively. Additionally, we assessed the influence of IGF-1 on androstenedione (A4), progesterone (P4), and testosterone (T) production in TCs. Small-sized follicles (< 6 mm) exhibited the highest levels of ESR2 mRNA expression, whereas medium-sized follicles (7-8 mm) displayed higher levels than large-sized follicles (>= 9 mm) (P < 0.05). IGF-1 increased the mRNA expression of ESR2, CYP19A1, and FSHR in GCs of follicles of both sizes, except for FSHR mRNA in medium-sized follicles (P < 0.05). IGF-1 significantly elevated mRNA expression of LHCGR, STAR, CYP11A1, and CYP17B in TCs of small-and medium-sized follicles (P < 0.05). Moreover, IGF-1 augmented the production of A4 and P4 but had no impact on T production in TCs of small-and medium-sized follicles. Taken together, our findings indicate that IGF-1 upregulates steroidogenic enzymes and steroid hormone production, underscoring the crucial role of IGF-1 in follicle development and selection.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.