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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2008; 116(7): 443-449
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1042405
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© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Conceptus Signals for Establishment and Maintenance of Pregnancy in Pigs – Lipid Signaling System

A. J. Ziecik 1 , A. Waclawik 1 , M. Bogacki 1
  • 1Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, Olsztyn, Poland
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Publication History

received 05.12.2007 first decision 09.01.2008

accepted 09.01.2008

Publication Date:
16 May 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Establishment of pregnancy in pigs requires estrogen secretion by the conceptus. The developmental changes of embryo before implantation and embryo-uterine cross talk are dependent on various biological molecules secreted by the endometrium and conceptus. An integral part of maternal recognition of pregnancy seems to be also the lipid signaling system consisting of prostaglandin (PG) F2α and E2 and/or lysophosphatic acid (LPA). The downstream enzymes in PG synthesis pathway are: microsomal PGE synthase-1 (mPGES-1), PGF synthase (PGFS) and prostaglandin 9-ketoreductase/carbonyl reductase (CBR1) which catalyzes conversion of PGE2 into PGF2α. In contrast to mPGES-1, endometrial PGFS is highly increased on days 13–15 similarly as CBR1 on days 16–17 of the estrous cycle. Potential mechanism by which a conceptus inhibits luteolysis is changing the PGE2/PGF2α ratio in favor of PGE2. It may be result of high expression of mPGES-1 in trophoblast and endometrium on days 10–13 of pregnancy and simultaneously the down-regulation of PGFS and CBR1 in conceptuses during this period. The conceptus can alter expression of endometrial CBR1 to modulate the PGE2/PGF2α ratio in the uterus during the maternal recognition of pregnancy. High expression of conceptus and endometrial terminal PG synthases and CBR1 after initiation of blastocyst attachment suggest their involvement in early placentation. The higher LPA3 receptor mRNA expression during the early pregnancy compared to corresponding period of estrous cycle could indicate an important role of LPA and its receptor during the peri-implantation stage of pregnancy in pigs. Above results suggest that the lipid signaling system is an integral part of establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in the pig.

Key words

pregnancy - prostaglandins - lysophosphatidic acid - pig - conceptus

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Correspondence

A. J.Ziecik 

Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences

Tuwima 10

10-747 Olsztyn

Poland

Phone: +48/89/535 74 22

Fax: +48/89/535 74 21

Email: ziecik@pan.olsztyn.pl

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