Theriogenology. 2016 Jul 5. pii: S0093-691X(16)30284-9. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.06.026. [Epub ahead of print]
- 1Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: olga.amelkina@gmail.com.
- 2Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany.
- 3Iberian Lynx Captive Breeding Program, Centro Nacional de Reprodução de Lince Ibérico, Silves, Portugal.
- 4Iberian Lynx Captive Breeding Program, Centro de Cría de Lince Ibérico El Acebuche, Parque Nacional de Doñana, Huelva, Spain.
- 5Department of Mass Spectrometry, Leibniz Institute for Molecular Pharmacology, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract
In
contrast to the species studied, the corpus luteum (CL) of Iberian and
Eurasian lynx physiologically persists in the ovary for more than
2 years and continues to secrete progesterone. Such persistent CL
(perCL) transition into the next cycle and are present in the ovary
together with the freshly formed CL (frCL) of a new ovulation. To date,
the mechanisms supporting such CL persistence are not known. We analyzed
the potential receptivity of feline CL to sex steroids through mRNA
measurements of progesterone receptor (PGR), progesterone receptor
membrane components (PGRMC) 1 and 2, estrogen receptor (ESR) 1 and ESR2,
G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1), and androgen receptor
(AR). All receptors were present in domestic cat CL during pregnancy and
the nonpregnant luteal phase, in frCL and perCL of post-mating Iberian
lynx and in perCL of pre-mating Eurasian lynx. Mass spectrometry
detected the presence of PGRMC1 protein in frCL and perCL of the Iberian
lynx. In both domestic cat and lynx CL, PGR, PGRMC1, and ESR1 proteins
were localized in luteal cells by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA levels
of PGR, PGRMC1, PGRMC2, ESR1, and AR changed significantly throughout
the domestic cat luteal phase. This may indicate involvement of these
receptors in the processes of formation, maintenance, and regression of
feline CL. In Iberian lynx, expression of PGRMC1, PGRCM2, ESR1, GPER1,
and AR was significantly higher in perCL compared with frCL, whereas
ESR2 was reversed. High mRNA amounts of these receptors in perCL suggest
that physiological persistence of lynx CL may be partly regulated by
actions of sex steroids through their nuclear and/or membrane receptors.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Felis catus; Lynx lynx; Lynx pardinus; Persistent corpus luteum; Steroid receptor; mRNA
