Document Type

Article

Date of Publication

10-18-2014

Publication Title

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology

First Page

68

Abstract

Background: Cyclooxygenase (COX)-derived prostanoids (PGE2, PGI2) are important contributors to the process of decidualization. Previous studies showed the presence of Ang-(1-7) in the primary and secondary decidualized zones of the implantation site at early pregnancy. Decreased concentrations of Ang-(1-7) were found in the decidualized uterus compared to the non-decidualized uterus of pseudopregnant rats, suggesting that low levels of Ang-(1-7) are required for successful decidualization at early pregnancy.

Methods: To understand the role of Ang-(1-7) in prostaglandin production in a decidualized uterus, induced by a bolus injection of sesame oil, Ang-(1-7) (24 μg/kg/h) or vehicle was then infused directly into the decidualized uterine horn using an osmotic minipump. The right horns were not injected or infused and served as nondecidualized uterine horns in both groups of animals.

Results: Decidualization increased PGE2 concentration in the uterus (0.53±0.05 vs. 12.0±3.2 pmol/mg protein, p<0.001, non-decidualized vs. decidualized horns); Ang-(1-7) infusion attenuated the increase of PGE2 (12.0± 3.2 vs. 5.1±1.3 pmol/mg protein, p<0.01 control vs. Ang-(1-7) treated decidualized horns). The stable metabolite of PGI2 (6-keto PGF1α) was increased with decidualization (0.79±0.17 vs. 3.5±0.82 pmol/mg protein, p<0.001, non-decidualized vs. decidualized horns). Ang-(1-7) infusion attenuated the increase in 6keto PGF1α in the decidualized horn (3.5±0.82 vs 1.8±0.37 pmol/mg protein, p<0.05 control vs. Ang-(1-7) treated decidualized horns). The circulating levels of 6-keto-PGF1a and TXB2 were decreased by Ang-(1-7) infusion, while no difference was observed in circulating PGE2. Although the global assessment of cleaved caspase 3 immunostaining, a marker of apoptosis, was unchanged within the Ang-(1-7) decidualized horn, there were localized decreases in cleaved caspase 3 staining in the luminal region in the decidualized uterus of Ang-(1-7)-treated rats.

Conclusions: These studies show that increased local uterine Ang-(1-7) alters the uterine prostaglandin environment, possibly leading to disruptions of early events of decidualization.

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