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ABSTRACT: The study investigated the expression of genes for progesterone receptor (PR) and for the cytokine leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in the uterine tube and uterine horn tissues from pregnant and non-pregnant bitches. The aim was to study whether a relation existed between the likely biological effectiveness of progesterone (P(4)) and the change in the uterine expression of LIF mRNA during pregnancy, as has been described in primates. For this purpose, 20 pregnant bitches were ovariohysterectomized after being allotted to three groups according to gestational age (pre-implantation: days 10 to 12, n = 7; peri-implantation: days 18 to 25, n = 7; post-placentation: days 28 to 45, n = 7). Tissue samples were obtained from the uterine tubes, one uterine horn (including placentation sites and interplacental sites in bitches that had already implanted) and the corpus uteri, stored at -80 degrees C, and then analysed by qualitative and quantitative PCR for PR and LIF mRNA expression. From the pre-implantation to the placentation stage, a decrease in the relative expression of PR mRNA in uterine tissue was obvious and significant when expressed relative to beta-actin (11.2 +/- 6.8 vs 2.7 +/- 1.9; p < 0.05). However, over the same period, the relative expression of LIF mRNA increased (10.1 +/- 16.1 vs 50.0 +/- 32.3; p < 0.05). In addition, PR mRNA went from being detectable to no longer detectable in the uterine tube, and no longer detectable in interplacental-site uterine tissue. We conclude that LIF is important for the establishment of canine pregnancy; that decreased uterine PR mRNA expression may contribute to the increase in uterine LIF mRNA; and, that the ability of the embryo to preserve PR mRNA expression at implantation and placentation sites while expression is lost in the remainder of the uterus represent an effect important to the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. We additionally propose that canine embryo secretory proteins have a regulatory effect on both PR and LIF before as well as at and after implantation.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals 07/2009; 44 Suppl 2:109-14. · 1.36 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to assess genes expressed in maternal uterine tissue and pre-implantation embryos which are presumably involved in maternal recognition and establishment of canine pregnancy. For this purpose, 10 pregnant bitches were ovariohysterectomized between days 10 and 12 after mating. Four non-pregnant bitches served as controls. Early pregnancy was verified by flushing the uterine horns with PBS solution. The collected embryos (n = 60) were stored deep-frozen (-80 degrees C). Uterine tissue was excised, snaps frozen in liquid nitrogen and homogenized using TRI Reagent. All embryos from one litter were thawed together and also homogenized in TRI Reagent. RT-PCR was performed to prove mRNA expression of progesterone receptor, key enzymes of the prostaglandin synthesis pathway, selected growth factors, cytokines, immune cell receptors, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and matrix-metalloproteinases (MMP). Only pregnant uteri revealed the presence of mRNA for interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-4 and CD-8, which resembles the milieu in humans and other mammalians. Similarly, in day 10 embryos, mRNA for transforming growth factor-beta, insulin-like growth factor-1,-2, hepatocyte growth factor, leukaemia inhibitor factor, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta,-6,-8, cyclooxygenase-2, CD4(+) cells, and MMP-2 and -9 were detected, but not MHC-I or -II. We therefore suppose that the canine embryo, like its human counterpart, actively initiates measures to prevent attacks from the maternal immune system to prepare its own adhesion, nidation, growth and further development.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals 05/2008; 43(6):656-63. · 1.36 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of two medications on two subsequent abortions and plasma hormone concentrations of dogs. For this purpose, two groups of bitches (n=5 each), received the antiprogesterone aglepristone (Alizine) at 10mg/kg body weight on two subsequent days around day 30 after mating. In group II, the antiprolactin cabergoline (Galastop) was additionally administered po at 5 microg/kg body weight until the start of abortion. The plasma concentrations of relaxin, progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17beta (E2) were measured before, during and after each abortion. During the next cycle after the abortion, the same bitches were mated again and in pregnant animals, induction of abortion was performed as before. During the third cycle, pregnant bitches were allowed to whelp. Termination of first pregnancy occurred significantly earlier after the combined treatment (6.8 versus 10.6 days, p<0.05). In both groups and during both abortions, relaxin varied between individuals; however, there was a continuous decrease after the abortions and no significant differences between groups (p>0.05). In one bitch with high relaxin concentrations before treatment (11.6 ng/ml), a cystic endometrial hyperplasia was diagnosed. In the aglepristone only group, P4 concentrations increased significantly after the first application (p<0.05), then decreased continuously until day 45 after the beginning of abortion. In the combined group, there was a continuous decrease until day 45 (p>0.05). At this time, P4 concentrations between 0.47 and 84.9 nmol/l were measured in both groups. The level of E2 over time was not influenced by any medication. We therefore note that the two medications mainly influenced plasma concentrations of P4 in different ways, probably due to specific treatment-hormone interactions. However, all measurements fell within the range considered normal.
Theriogenology 10/2007; 68(6):889-95. · 1.96 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of delmadinone acetate (DMA) for the treatment of hypersexuality (HS) and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which are frequently observed in male dogs, for which no surgical treatment has been indicated. The study was performed with 21 intact male dogs that had HS (n = 12) and signs of BPH (n = 9). DMA (Tardak(R) or Tardastrex(R)) was administered subcutaneously to each dog at a dose of 3-5 mg/kg and was repeated 15 days later as a second treatment. DMA administration was repeated in some cases until the clinical signs disappeared. The successful recovery rate of HS cases was found to be 50% after a single application and 25% by the second and third applications. The mean "recovery periods" and mean "stable periods" of these 3 consecutive applications were found to be 5.83, 7.66, and 6.00 days, and 16.7, 18.7, and 20.0 months, respectively. With regard to BPH after consecutive applications, treatment success rates, mean recovery periods, and mean stable periods were 33.3%, 22.2%, 44.4%, 12.0, 11.0, 9.5 days, and >30, 12, and 13.5 months, respectively. DMA is clinically applicable as a therapeutic agent for HS and BPH cases; however, repeated applications were required due to temporary recoveries.
Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences. 34(1):25-31.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of delmadinone acetate (DMA) for the treatment of hypersexuality (HS) and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which are frequently observed in male dogs, for which no surgical treatment has been indicated. The study was performed with 21 intact male dogs that had HS (n = 12) and signs of BPH (n = 9). DMA (Tardak(R) or Tardastrex(R)) was administered subcutaneously to each dog at a dose of 3-5 mg/kg and was repeated 15 days later as a second treatment. DMA administration was repeated in some cases until the clinical signs disappeared. The successful recovery rate of HS cases was found to be 50% after a single application and 25% by the second and third applications. The mean "recovery periods" and mean "stable periods" of these 3 consecutive applications were found to be 5.83, 7.66, and 6.00 days, and 16.7, 18.7, and 20.0 months, respectively. With regard to BPH after consecutive applications, treatment success rates, mean recovery periods, and mean stable periods were 33.3%, 22.2%, 44.4%, 12.0, 11.0, 9.5 days, and >30, 12, and 13.5 months, respectively. DMA is clinically applicable as a therapeutic agent for HS and BPH cases; however, repeated applications were required due to temporary recoveries.
Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences. 34(1):25-31.
