Lysophosphatidic acid expression in theca cells depends on the type of bovine ovarian follicle.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) exerts various actions on the mammalian reproductive system. In cows, LPA stimulates the synthesis and secretion of luteotropic factors in the ovary, which affects the growth and development of ovarian follicles. The role of LPA in granulosa cells, oocyte and oocyte-cumulus complex (COC) has previously been investigated; but its role in the theca layer, which is an important structural and functional component of the ovarian follicle, is still unclear. The goal of this study was to investigate the expression of LPA in theca cells originating from different bovine ovarian follicle types. Theca cells were separated from healthy, transitional and atretic ovarian follicles, based on intrafollicular estradiol: progesterone ratios. LPA concentration in the follicular fluid (FF) in different follicle types was measured, and expression of the enzymes responsible for LPA synthesis (autotaxin [AX], phospholipase A2 [PLA2]) and receptors for LPA (LPAR1-4) were determined. The obtained results confirmed the follicle-type dependent presence of LPA in the FF of the bovine ovarian follicles. The highest concentration of LPA was detected in follicles classified as healthy and dominant. LPAR1-4, PLA2 and AX expression in theca cells in all of the types of follicles examined were detected at mRNA and protein level. These results suggest that theca cells can be a source of LPA synthesis other than granulosa cells and COCs, as well as the target for its action in the bovine ovarian follicle, with PLA2 and LPAR4 playing major roles in LPA synthesis and action.

Lysophosphatidic Acid Synthesis and its Receptors' Expression in the Bovine Oviduct During the Oestrous Cycle.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a naturally occurring simple phospholipid which in the bovine reproductive system can be produced in the endometrium, corpus luteum, ovarian follicle and embryo. In this study, we examined the possibility that LPA receptors are expressed, and LPA synthesized, in the bovine oviduct. We found that the concentration of LPA was highest in infundibulum in the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle and was relatively high during the early-luteal phase in all examined parts of the oviduct. We also documented that LPA synthesis engages both available pathways for LPA production. The autotaxin (ATX) protein expression was significantly higher in the infundibulum compared to the isthmus during the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle. During the early-luteal phase of the oestrous cycle, ATX and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) protein expression was highest in ampulla, although the expression of LPARs was not as dynamic as LPA concentration in the oviduct tissue, and we presume that in the bovine oviduct, the most abundantly expressed receptor is LPAR2. In conclusion, our results indicate that the bovine oviduct is a site of LPA synthesis and a target for LPA action in the bovine reproductive tract. We documented that LPAR2 is the most abundantly expressed in the bovine oviduct. We hypothesize that in the bovine oviduct, LPA may be involved in the transport of gametes, fertilization and cellular signalling between the oviduct and cumulus-oocyte complex.

Studies on lysophosphatidic acid action during in vitro preimplantation embryo development.

Assisted reproductive technologies, including in vitro embryo production (IVP), have been successfully used in animal reproduction to optimize breeding strategies for improved production and health in animal husbandry. Despite the progress in IVP techniques over the years, further improvements in in vitro embryo culture systems are required for the enhancement of oocyte and embryo developmental competence. One of the most important issues associated with IVP procedures is the optimization of the in vitro culture of oocytes and embryos. Studies in different species of animals and in humans have identified important roles for receptor-mediated lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling in multiple aspects of human and animal reproductive tract function. The data on LPA signaling in the ovary and uterus suggest that LPA can directly contribute to embryo-maternal interactions via its influence on early embryo development beginning from the influence of the ovarian environment on the oocyte to the influence of the uterine environment on the preimplantation embryo. This review discusses the current status of LPA as a potential supplement in oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo culture media and current views on the potential involvement of the LPA signaling pathway in early embryo development.

Experimentally induced mastitis and metritis modulate soy bean derived isoflavone biotransformation in diary cows.

The present study compared the changes in isoflavone (daidzein and genistein) and their metabolite (equol and para-ethyl-phenol) concentrations in the blood plasma of cows with induced mastitis and metritis after feeding with soy bean. Sixteen cows were divided into four groups: control for mastitis group, cows with induced mastitis group, control for metritis group, and cows with induced metritis group. All cows were fed a single dose of 2.5 kg of soy bean and then blood samples were taken from the jugular vein for 8 h at predetermined intervals. The concentrations of soy bean-derived isoflavones and their active metabolites were measured in the blood plasma on HPLC system. ß-Glucuronidase activity in the blood plasma of cows was measured by fluorometric method. In the blood plasma of cows with induced mastitis and metritis, we found considerably higher concentrations and time-dependent increase in isoflavone metabolites (equol and para-ethyl-phenol) with reference to cyclic cows (P < 0.05). Moreover, we noticed significant decrease of genistein in the blood plasma of the cows with induced metritis compared with control cows (P < 0.05). In addition, in the blood plasma of the cows with induced metritis, we found an increase in ß-glucuronidase activity compared with control cows (P < 0.05). In conclusion, health status of the females influenced the concentrations of isoflavone metabolites in the blood plasma of the cows. Experimentally induced mastitis and metritis increased isoflavone absorption, biotransformation and metabolism. Therefore, we suggest that cows with induced mastitis and metritis are more exposed to active isoflavone metabolite actions than healthy cows.