• Animal Bioscience
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• 제36권7호
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• pp.1034-1043
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• 2023

Objective: Two serine protease inhibitors, peptidase inhibitor 3 (PI3) and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), play important roles in protease inhibition and antimicrobial activity, but their expression, regulation, and function at the maternal-fetal interface in pigs are not fully understood. Therefore, we determined the expression and regulation of PI3 and SLPI in the endometrium throughout the estrous cycle and at the maternal-fetal interface in pigs. Methods: Endometrial tissues during the estrous cycle and pregnancy, conceptus tissues during early pregnancy, and chorioallantoic tissues during mid to late pregnancy were obtained, and the expression of PI3 and SLPI was analyzed. The effects of the steroid hormones estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4) on the expression of PI3 and SLPI were determined in endometrial explant cultures. Results: PI3 and SLPI were expressed in the endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy, with higher levels during mid to late pregnancy than during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Early-stage conceptuses and chorioallantoic tissues during mid to late pregnancy also expressed PI3 and SLPI. PI3 protein and SLPI mRNA were primarily localized to endometrial epithelia. In endometrial explant cultures, the expression of PI3 was induced by increasing doses of P4, and the expression of SLPI was induced by increasing doses of E2 and P4. Conclusion: These results suggest that the PI3 and SLPI expressed in the endometrium and conceptus tissues play an important role in antimicrobial activity for fetal protection against potential pathogens and in blocking protease actions to allow epitheliochorial placenta formation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.131-136
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• 1994

In an effort to confirm true oestrus and to detect early pregnancy in Zebu cows (Bos indicus), sequential blood and milk samples were collected at the day of imsemination (Day 0) and days 14, 20 and 24 after insemination. Progesterone was determined in skimmed milk and plasma by solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA). Of the cows thought to be in oestrus plasma, (n = 46) and milk (n = 58) samples demonstrated low progesterone concentrations ($0.99{\pm}0.11$ and $2.02{\pm}0.14nmol/l$) in 42 (91%) and 52 (90%) cases respectively. Thirty two (76%) and 30 (71%) cows were thought to be pregnant by plasma progesterone RIA ($20.23{\pm}1.03$ and $20.48{\pm}1.01nmol/l$) at days 20 and 24 respectively. At the same period, 40 (77%) and 37 (71%) cows were thought to be pregnant by milk progesterone RIA ($27.82{\pm}1.28$and $28.02{\pm}1.27nmol/l$). Assuming 100% accuracy for rectal examination of pregnancy diagnosis between days 60-65 postservice, the RIA was found to be 84% and 90% accurate for plasma and 84% and 92% accurate for milk at day 20 and 24, respectively. All cows thought to be non pregnant by progesterone measurement were correctly diagnosed. Progesterone assay at 24 days after oestrus may therefore be accurate for early diagnosis of pregnancy in Zebu cows.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.397-414
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• 2008

In order to evaluate conception rate of Hanwoo in northwestern region of Gyeongsang-nam-do, we investigated conception rate and reduction of reproductive disorder rate after artificial insemination (AI) in 1,000 heads of breeding cows, This study showed that 80.9% of cows were classified as fertility after 1st and 2nd AI. For a accurate pregnancy diagnosis with practicing ovariectomy and histeotomy, we comparatively investigated each of 80 slaughtered cows, including 30 of non-pregnancy, and used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for estimation of plasma progesterone concentration and serum luteal hormone. The mean diameter of non-pregnant corpus luteum is $18.9{\pm}4.2{\times}15.6{\pm}3.6 mm$ and that of pregnant corpus luteum is $22.5{\pm}2.7{\times}18.7{\pm}2.9 mm$. This indicates that corpus luteum is more developed in the ovary of pregnant than non-pregnant cows (P<0.05). The diameter of pregnant corpus luteum according to the stage of pregnancy showed $21.3{\pm}2.4{\pm}18.4{\pm}2.6 mm$ in early stage (1-3 month), $23.4{\pm}2.8{\times}19.1{\pm}2.7 mm$ in middle stage (4-6 month) and $22.8{\pm}3.0{\times}18.8{\pm}2.4mm$, in last stage (7-9 month). This indicates that corpus luteum in middle and last stage is more significantly developed than that of early stage(P<0.05). The mean plasma progesterone concentration of cows showing size of non-pregnant corpus luteum was $4.58{\pm}0.92ng/ml$ and that of pregnant corpus luteum $8.26{\pm}0.98ng/ml$. Thus, it was more significantly increased in pregnant corpus luteum(P<0.02).. However, it was low to $0.58{\pm}0.39ng/ml$. in estrus (corpus albicans). The plasma progesterone concentration according to gestation period was high in proportion to the degree of development in corpus luteum and more significantly increased (P<0.05) and maintained in middle and last state than early state. The concentration was sharply decreased to $0.56{\pm}0.32ng/ml$ at parturition. As a consequence, we can practice the early pregnancy diagnosis by confirming non-pregnancy when the mean plasma progesterone concentration is below 1ng/ml 19 to 22 days after AI and this can be available to diagnose reproductive disorder.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.31-37
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• 1997

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of genital disease and early pregnancy diagnosis was performed in Korean native cattle. The size of ovarian follicle in preovulation, luteal stage and follicular cyst was 18.9, 9.2 and 27.6 mm, respectively, and the thickness of follicular wall was 2.3, 1.8 and 2.8 mm, respectively. The size of corpus luteums in formation stage, activity stage, regression stage, cystic corpora lutea and luteal cyst was 6.2, 11.3, 8.6, 26.7 and 25.9 mm, respectively. The thickness of luteal wall in cystic corpora lutea and luteal cyst was 8.4 and 4.9 mm, respectively. The size of embryo or fetus on day 25, 27, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 was 0.8, 0.9, 1.3, 1.5, 2.2, 2.8 and 3.8 cm, respectively. The size of amniotic vesicle on day 25, 27 and 30 was 1.2, 2.1 and 3,0 cm, respectively. The diameter of pregnant uterus on day 25 and 27 was 7.0 and 7.8 cm, respectively. It was concluded that the ultrasonographci values determined in this study can be used as references for the treatment of genital disease and early pregnancy diagnosis in Korean native cattle.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.259-265
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• 1992

A study was conducted to improve the reproductive performance of Korean native goats. The length of estrous cycle and plasma progesterone concentrations during each cycles were determined by both radioimmunoassay and estrus behaviours, and the results were used in the early pregnancy diagnosis. The estrous cycles were classified into the short(l8 days or shorter, average 16.7 days), normal(19 to 22 days, average 20.9 days) and long(23 days and longer, average 23.8 days)cycle. The average length of the 19 estrous cycles was 20.8 days. Plasma progesterone concentrations in 12 normal cycles were the lowest(0.10 ng/ml) at estrus, remained high from 6 to 16 days(range : 4.43~7.93 ng/ml) and drastically decreased thereafter to reach minimal concentrations at the next estrus. Plasma progesterone concentrations were measured for early pregnancy diagnosis at 0, 10 and 20 days after mating in the 12 Korean native goats. Plasma progesterone concentrations in the pregnant goats at 20 days after mating were significantly higher than in the non-pregnant goats(p<0.001). Of the 12 goats, 10 were confirmed pregnancy by both progesterone concentrations and kidding. The accuracy of the pregnancy diagnosis based on plasma progesterone concentrations was 100% for positive as well as for negative.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.335-339
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• 1994

Combined intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy is rare, occuring 1 in 30,000 pregnancies. The early diagnosis of combined pregnancy is very difficult, and so there is a higher maternal morbidity and fetal loss. Recently the incidence of combined pregnancy is increased. We experienced a case of combined intrauterine and right tubal pregnancy, and this case was presented with a brief review of the literatures.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.441-450
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• 2023

Objective: Serum amyloid A3 (SAA3), an acute phase response protein, plays important roles in opsonization, antimicrobial activity, chemotactic activity, and immunomodulation, but its expression, regulation, and function at the maternal-conceptus interface in pigs are not fully understood. Therefore, we determined the expression of SAA3 in the endometrium throughout the estrous cycle and at the maternal-conceptus interface during pregnancy. Methods: Endometrial tissues from pigs at various stages of the estrous cycle and pregnancy and with conceptuses derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), conceptus tissues during early pregnancy, and chorioallantoic tissues during mid- to late pregnancy were obtained and the expression of SAA3 was analyzed. The effects of the steroid hormones, interleukin-1β (IL1B), and interferon-γ (IFNG) on the expression of SAA3 were determined in endometrial explant cultures. Results: SAA3 was expressed in the endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy, with the highest level on day 12 of pregnancy. The expression of SAA3 in the endometrium was significantly higher on day 12 of pregnancy than during the estrous cycle. Early-stage conceptuses and chorioallantoic tissues during mid to late pregnancy also expressed SAA3. The expression of SAA3 was primarily localized to luminal epithelial cells in the endometrium. In endometrial explant cultures, the expression of SAA3 was induced by increasing doses of IL1B and IFNG. Furthermore, the expression of SAA3 decreased significantly in the endometria of pigs carrying conceptuses derived from SCNT on day 12 of pregnancy. Conclusion: These results suggest that the expression of SAA3 in the endometrium during the implantation period increases in response to conceptus-derived IL1B and IFNG. The failure of those appropriate interactions between the implanting conceptus and the endometrium leads to dysregulation of endometrial SAA3 expression, which could result in pregnancy failure. In addition, SAA3 could be a specific endometrial epithelial marker for conceptus implantation in pigs.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.263-267
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• 2008

This study was conducted to compare the expression pattern of the specific factors associated with pregnancy and angiogenesis during early pregnancy in Hanwoo. Synchronized female Hanwoo ($4{\sim}6$ year-old) were inseminated artificially. After 10 weeks after artificial insemination (AI), the pregnancy was tested by rectal palpation method. Three pregnant and non-pregnant Hanwoo were used in this experiment, respectively. The plasma progesterone level was measured by ELISA. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of pregnancy associated glycoprotein (PAG) or angiogenic factors (VEGF, B-FGF, ANP-1, and TIE-2). The plasma P4 level was increase gradually in pregnant group and maintained high level. The concentration of PAG was significantly higher from $5^{th}$ weeks in pregnant group compared to that of non-pregnant group (p<0.05). The concentrations of the VEGF (p<0.05), B-FGF (p<0.05), and ANP-1 (p<0.05) were significantly increased from $6^{th}\;or\;7^{th}$ week after AI in pregnant group, respectively. And the intensity of TIE-2, ANP-1 receptor, was well matched with ANP-1 (p<0.05). Taken together, it can be postulated that the blood vessels connected with fetus and dam were formed dramatically around 40 days after AI, because the expression levels of the angiogenic factors were increased significantly from this time in pregnant Hanwoo.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.299-302
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• 1996

Milk samples(n = 78) were taken 19d, 20d, 21d, 22d after artificial insemination(AI) for early pregnancy diagnosis by using the Enzyme immunoassay(EIA) kit. The progesterone ($P_4$) concentration in the whole milk was measured on the same day of pregnancy diagnosis. Rectal palpation(RP) was accomplished between 60d and 70d after AI to estimate the ovary condition and pregnancy status. Milk progesterone concentrations measured by Radio-immunoassay(RIA) method, in the pregnant cows at 17d, 19d, 21d after insemination were $17.10{\pm}0.91$, $17.60{\pm}0.46$, and $18.43{\pm}0.79nmol/l$, whereas those in the not-pregnant cows were $6.57{\pm}1.03$, $2.63{\pm}0.29$, and $0.67{\pm}0.08nmol/l$, respectively. When the progesterone concentration was less than 7 nmol/l, the color of the EIA kit was lighter and when the progesterone concentration was ${\geq}16nmol/l$, the color of the EIA kit was darker compared to the standard color. The detection rates of error by judging the color differences were 5.1% and 20.7%, respectively. In the early pregnancy diagnosis by the EIA kit and RIA method, the accuracy rates in the pregnancy of cows were 82% and 87%, and those in not-pregnant cows were 86% and 91%, respectively. For ovarian status estimated by the RIA method and certified by RP, the accuracy rates of the ovarian atrophy, follicular cyst and luteal cyst were 80, 91 and 83% and the progesterone concentrations were 2.51, 2.03, and 26.7 nmol/l, respectively.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.15-25
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• 2016

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of high doses of dexamethasone (DEX) in early pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Pregnant BALB/c mice were treated with high-dose DEX in the experimental group or saline in the control group on gestational days (GDs) 0.5 to 4.5. Pregnant mice were sacrificed on GDs 7.5, 13.5, or 18.5 and their peripheral blood, placentas, fetuses, and uterine tissue were collected. Decidual and placenta cell supernatants were examined to evaluate the effect of DEX on the proliferation of mononuclear cells, the quantity of uterine macrophages and uterine natural killer (uNK) cells, and levels of progesterone and $17{\beta}-estradiol$, as determined by an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. We also were measured fetal and placental growth parameters on GD 18.5. Results: We found that high doses of DEX were associated with an increased abortion rate, enhancement of the immunosuppressive effect of the decidua, alterations in placental growth parameters, decreased progesterone and $17{\beta}-estradiol$ levels, and a reduced frequency of macrophages and uNK cells. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the high-dose administration of DEX during early pregnancy negatively affected pregnancy outcomes.