Embryo-maternal dialogue during pregnancy establishment and implantation in the pig

Abstract

Porcine conceptuses secrete pregnancy-recognition signals (estrogens, including estradiol-17β) that inhibit luteolysis, thereby prolonging progesterone production by corpora lutea. The supportive mechanism by which the conceptus also inhibits luteolysis is by shifting endometrial prostaglandin (PG) synthesis to luteoprotective PGE2. Progesterone stimulates endometrial production of factors that are essential for conceptus development. Priming the uterus by progesterone and loss of progesterone receptors from the uterine epithelium by D1ay 10-12 after estrus are key for achieving endometrial receptivity for implantation. Conceptus implantation involves a series of events, many resembling the inflammatory reaction, that are greatly influenced by cytokines, growth factors, and prostaglandins. We herein present a novel, dual role for PGF2α in corpora lutea that depends on the acquisition of luteolytic sensitivity, based on the knowledge that PGF2α triggers pathways involved in luteolysis during the estrous cycle or/and may have an alternative function in maintaining progesterone synthesis during pregnancy. We also point out a new role for PGF2α that, together with PGE2, can act as embryonic signal mediators. PGF2α, which until recently was considered undesirable for promoting pregnancy, is now known to stimulate conceptus-maternal interactions and angiogenesis in the endometrium. This function is in line with other important prostaglandin functions, such as stimulating adhesion of trophoblasts (PGE2, PGI2) as well as endometrial vascular functions and trophoblast cell proliferation (PGI2). Finally, microRNAs have emerged as important post-transcriptional regulators of gene function, adding a new area of investigation that may enhance understanding of conceptus-endometrial interactions.

Keywords: conceptus; corpus luteum; endometrium; maternal recognition of pregnancy; prostaglandins.