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Updated: May 23, 2026
05:13
Establishment of an Embryo Implantation Model In Vitro
Published on: June 21, 2024
Effect of progesterone on embryo survival
11Teagasc, Animal Production Research Centre, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland.
Animal : an International Journal of Animal Bioscience
|March 27, 2012
Summary
High-producing dairy cows experience significant early embryo loss due to reduced fertility. Optimizing the uterine environment by understanding progesterone
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Dairy Science
- Animal Science
Background:
- Genetic selection for milk production in dairy cows has inadvertently decreased fertility.
- Early embryo loss, occurring within two weeks of artificial insemination (AI), is a primary cause of conception failure.
- The early embryo critically depends on the uterine environment for survival and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional characteristics of the uterine environment during early luteal phase.
- To understand how systemic progesterone concentrations influence the uterine environment and early embryo survival.
- To identify factors contributing to early embryo loss in high-producing dairy cows.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene expression for uterine transport proteins (RBP, FBP) in relation to progesterone levels.
- Assessment of uterine protein concentrations across different stages of the estrous cycle.
- Correlation of systemic progesterone concentrations with uterine environment markers.
Main Results:
- Expression of uterine retinol binding protein (RBP) and folate binding protein (FBP) genes is sensitive to systemic progesterone levels.
- Uterine protein concentrations vary with the stage of the estrous cycle, but their link to progesterone is not fully understood.
- Progesterone supplementation may reduce early embryo loss in cows with low progesterone levels.
Conclusions:
- The uterine environment's functional characteristics during the early luteal phase are crucial for early embryo survival.
- Systemic progesterone significantly influences uterine gene expression and protein profiles.
- Further research is needed to characterize the uterine environment and develop strategies to mitigate early embryo loss in dairy cows.
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