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. 2022 Jul 1;100(7):skac137.
doi: 10.1093/jas/skac137.

Form of dietary selenium affects mRNA encoding interferon-stimulated and progesterone-induced genes in the bovine endometrium and conceptus length at maternal recognition of pregnancy

Benjamin R Crites  1 , Sarah N Carr  1 , Leslie H Anderson  1 , James C Matthews  1 , Phillip J Bridges  1
Affiliations

Form of dietary selenium affects mRNA encoding interferon-stimulated and progesterone-induced genes in the bovine endometrium and conceptus length at maternal recognition of pregnancy

Benjamin R Crites et al. J Anim Sci. .

Abstract

Widespread regions of the southeast United States have soils, and hence forages, deficient in selenium (Se), necessitating Se supplementation to grazing cattle for optimal immune function, growth, and fertility. We have reported that supplementation with an isomolar 1:1 mix (MIX) of inorganic (ISe) and organic (OSe) forms of Se increases early luteal phase (LP) concentrations of progesterone (P4) above that in cows on ISe or OSe alone. Increased early LP P4 advances embryonic development. Our objective was to determine the effects of the form of Se on the development of the bovine conceptus and the endometrium using targeted real-time PCR (qPCR) on day 17 of gestation, the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP). Angus-cross yearling heifers underwent 45-d Se-depletion then repletion periods, then at least 90 d of supplementation (TRT) with 35 ppm Se per day as either ISe (n = 10) or MIX (n = 10). Heifers were inseminated to a single sire after detected estrus (day 0). On day 17 of gestation, caruncular (CAR) and intercaruncular (ICAR) endometrial samples and the developing conceptus were recovered from pregnant heifers (ISe, n = 6 and MIX, n = 6). qPCR was performed to determine the relative abundance of targeted transcripts in CAR and ICAR samples, with the expression data subjected to one-way ANOVA to determine TRT effects. The effect of TRT on conceptus development was analyzed using a one-tailed Student's t-test. When compared with ISe-treated heifers, MIX heifers had decreased (P < 0.05) abundance of several P4-induced and interferon-stimulated mRNA transcripts, including IFIT3, ISG15, MX1, OAS2, RSAD2, DGAT2, FGF2 in CAR and DKK1 in ICAR samples and tended (P ≤ 0.10) to have decreased mRNA abundance of IRF1, IRF2, FOXL2, and PGR in CAR samples, and HOXA10 and PAQR7 in ICAR samples. In contrast, MIX-supplemented heifers had increased (P < 0.05) mRNA abundance of MSTN in ICAR samples and an increase in conceptus length (ISe: 17.45 ± 3.08 cm vs. MIX: 25.96 ± 3.95 cm; P = 0.05). Notably, myostatin increases glucose secretion into histotroph and contributes to advanced conceptus development. This advancement in conceptus development occurred in the presence of similar concentrations of serum P4 (P = 0.88) and whole blood Se (P = 0.07) at MRP.

Keywords: conceptus; endometrium; maternal recognition of pregnancy; progesterone; selenium.

Plain language summary

In regions with soils deficient in selenium (Se), it is recommended that this trace mineral is supplemented to the diet of forage-grazing cattle. We have previously reported that the form of Se supplemented to cattle affects the function of multiple tissues, including the testis, liver, ovary, and pituitary. The objective of this study was to determine how the form of Se supplemented to heifers to achieve a Se-adequate status affects endometrial function and development of the conceptus at maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP). Heifers were supplemented with the industry standard, an inorganic form of Se (ISe), or a 1:1 mix of organic and inorganic forms (MIX), with the reproductive tract recovered on day 17 of pregnancy. Real-time PCR was performed to determine the relative abundance of targeted mRNA transcripts in caruncular (CAR) and intercaruncular (ICAR) endometrial samples. The form of supplemental Se affected the abundance of multiple progesterone-induced and interferon-stimulated mRNA transcripts in CAR and ICAR samples, as well as the length of the conceptus that was recovered at MRP (day 17). Overall, our results indicate differences in endometrial function and increased development of the conceptus in cattle provided with MIX vs. ISe, suggesting that the MIX form of supplemental Se may increase fertility in cattle grazing soils deficient in this trace mineral.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Concentration of total Se in whole blood. Effect of form of Se on whole blood concentrations of Se (ppm, LS mean ± SEM) in heifers supplemented with either ISe (sodium selenite, n = 6) or a 1:1 combination (MIX) of ISe and OSe (Sel-Plex, n = 6). Data were analyzed as an ANOVA with repeated measures. Whole blood Se tended to be affected by treatment (P = 0.07) and was affected by time (P < 0.01), but there was no significant treatment by time interaction (P = 0.51).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Effect of the form of Se on length of the conceptus (cm; LS mean ± SEM). Heifers were supplemented with either ISe (sodium selenite, n = 6) or a 1:1 combination (MIX) of ISe and OSe (Sel-Plex, n = 6). Recovered conceptuses are represented by individual dots in their respective treatments and within treatment, the mean is represented by a black triangle. Data were analyzed as a one-tailed Student’s t-test. Length of the conceptus was affected by treatment (P = 0.05).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Representative image of a conceptus collected on day 17 of pregnancy.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Effect of form of Se on the abundance of mRNA transcripts encoding interferon-stimulated genes in the endometrium of heifers supplemented with vitamin–mineral mixes containing Se as ISe (sodium selenite, n = 6) or a 1:1 combination (MIX) of ISe and OSe (Sel-Plex, n = 6). P-values are associated with ANOVA. Significant differences at P < 0.05 are indicated by an asterisk and tendencies at P ≤ 0.1 are indicated by ŧ.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Effect of form of Se on the abundance of mRNA transcripts encoding progesterone-induced genes in the endometrium of heifers supplemented with vitamin–mineral mixes containing Se as ISe (sodium selenite; n = 6) or a 1:1 combination (MIX) of ISe and OSe (Sel-Plex; n = 6). P-values are associated with ANOVA. Significant differences at P < 0.05 are indicated by an asterisk and tendencies at P ≤ 0.1 are indicated by ŧ.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Effect of form of Se on the abundance of mRNA transcripts encoding PGR and PAQR7 in the endometrium of heifers supplemented with vitamin–mineral mixes containing Se as ISe (sodium selenite; n = 6) or a 1:1 combination (MIX) of ISe and OSe (Sel-Plex; n = 6). P-values are associated with ANOVA. Tendencies at P ≤ 0.1 are indicated by ŧ.
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