Gene expression in pre-term, pre-labour and parturient canine placenta

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Molecular biology
• Veterinary science

Background:

• Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are crucial for trophoblast invasion in mammals.
• Investigating these factors' mRNA expression in dogs is essential for understanding placental complications like retention and subinvolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the relative mRNA expression of MMPs, TIMPs, VEGF-A, and their receptors in canine chorioallantois tissue at different stages of late gestation.
• To explore the potential role of these factors in the onset of canine labor and parturition.

Main Methods:

• Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify mRNA expression levels of target genes in canine chorioallantois tissue.
• Samples were collected from pre-term, pre-labour, and parturient dogs.
• Relative gene expression was calculated using the 2-ΔΔCT method.

Main Results:

• MMP-9 mRNA expression was significantly higher in pre-term samples compared to pre-labour and parturient samples.
• No significant differences in mRNA expression were observed for MMP-2, TIMP-2, VEGF-A, or Flt-1 among the groups.
• KiSS-1R mRNA was not detected in any of the studied canine tissues.

Conclusions:

• Elevated MMP-9 mRNA expression near term suggests its involvement in the physiological processes leading to canine labor.
• MMP-2, TIMP-2, VEGF-A, Flt-1, and KiSS-1R mRNA do not appear to play a significant role in late gestation or parturition in dogs.