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The Effect of Seminal Plasma on the Equine Endometrial Transcriptome
C E Fedorka1, H El-Sheikh-Ali2, K E Scoggin2
1Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals = Zuchthygiene
|September 9, 2024
Summary
Reducing seminal plasma during horse insemination alters the uterine lining
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Equine reproduction
- Transcriptomics
Background:
- Pregnancy requires maternal immune tolerance to a semi-allogenic fetus.
- Seminal plasma's role in preparing the mare's uterus for pregnancy is suggested but unconfirmed.
- Early uterine exposure to paternal antigens occurs during mating.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of seminal plasma on the mare's endometrial transcriptome post-insemination.
- To test the hypothesis that reduced seminal plasma alters immune tolerance, antigen presentation, and embryo development transcripts.
Main Methods:
- Six mares were inseminated with varying seminal plasma levels (full, reduced, or none) over four cycles.
- Endometrial biopsies were collected seven days post-insemination.
- RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analyzed gene expression changes.
Main Results:
- 158 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified when comparing full versus reduced seminal plasma.
- Key affected biological processes included immune response, antigen processing, and embryo development.
- Gene ontology analysis highlighted DEGs involved in antigen presentation, immune signaling, and embryo growth.
Conclusions:
- Reduced seminal plasma significantly impacts the equine endometrial transcriptome during early embryonic exposure.
- These transcriptomic alterations may influence embryo maturation, placental development, and pregnancy outcomes.
