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Updated: Mar 4, 2026
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Transcriptome Profiling of In-Vivo Produced Bovine Pre-implantation Embryos Using Two-color Microarray Platform
Published on: January 30, 2017
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Pre-hatching embryo-dependent and -independent programming of endometrial function in cattle
Mariana Sponchiado1, Nathália Souza Gomes1, Patrícia Kubo Fontes2
1School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
Plos One
|April 20, 2017
Summary
Cows
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Embryology
- Genomics
Background:
- Bovine embryos secrete molecules early, but endometrial effects are noted later.
- Understanding early embryo-uterine interactions is key for pregnancy success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate spatially defined endometrial transcriptomic responses to an early embryo in vivo.
- To test if embryo presence alters gene expression in specific uterine regions.
Main Methods:
- Collected endometrium from defined regions (UTJ, IA, IM, IP) of pregnant and control cows at day 7 post-estrus.
- Quantified 86 transcripts using qPCR on a microfluidic platform.
Main Results:
- 12 transcripts were modulated in pregnant cows, mainly in the UTJ and IA regions.
- Genes related to interferon response, prostaglandin synthesis, and transport were affected.
- 71 transcripts varied by region, with cranial downregulation of proliferation/ECM genes and upregulation of anti-adhesion genes.
Conclusions:
- Early embryo presence induces paracrine regulation of endometrial function in specific uterine regions.
- Embryo-independent regulation also occurs, potentially supporting later development.
- Early embryo-dependent and -independent programming fine-tune endometrial functions for pregnancy maintenance in cattle.
