Effect of progesterone on adiponectin system in the porcine uterus during early pregnancy

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of progesterone (P4) on adiponectin system genes and protein expression in the endometrium and myometrium during early gestation. Twenty-five gilts were assigned to 1 of 5 groups ( = 5): d 10 to 11 (embryo migration), 12 to 13 (maternal recognition of pregnancy), 15 to 16 (implantation), and 27 to 28 (end of implantation) of pregnancy and d 10 to 11 of the cycle (fully active corpora lutea, corresponding to the corpora lutea activity during gestation). The endometrial and myometrial tissues were cut into 100 mg slices, treated with P4 (10, 100, 1000 nM) and incubated for 24 h. Gene expression was analyzed by the real-time PCR method. Adiponectin secretion was determined by ELISA. Receptor protein content was defined using Western Blot analysis. In the endometrium, on d 10 to 11 of pregnancy, P4 stimulated adiponectin protein secretion. On those days, P4 enhanced adiponectin receptor type 1 () and type 2 () gene expression but inhibited both receptors' protein content. On d 12 to 13 of pregnancy, P4 inhibited adiponectin gene expression. During those period, P4 enhanced gene expression but suppressed both receptors' protein content. On d 15 to 16 of gestation, P4 increased adiponectin gene expression but inhibited the protein secretion. During those days, P4 suppressed gene expression and enhanced AdipoR2 protein content. On d 27 to 28 of gestation, P4 enhanced gene and AdipoR1 protein expression ( < 0.05). In the myometrium, on d 10 to 11 of gestation, P4 increased both receptors' gene expression but suppressed their protein content. On d 12 to 13 of pregnancy, P4 increased adiponectin and genes and AdipoR1 protein expression but decreased AdipoR2 protein content. On d 15 to 16 of gestation, P4 inhibited adiponectin gene expression. On those days, P4 enhanced gene and protein expression. On d 27 to 28 of gestation, P4 decreased adiponectin gene expression. On those days, P4 increased the myometrial AdipoR2 protein concentration and decreased gene protein expression ( < 0.05). Overall, the influence of P4 was found to be tissue specific and dose dependent. Results presented in this study indicate the modulatory effect of P4 on adiponectin system in the porcine uterus during early pregnancy, which may suggest the involvement of this adipokine in the early pregnancy establishment.