Oleic acid supplementation increases the PGE2:PGF2α ratio and alters expression of prostaglandin biosynthesis and maternal pregnancy recognition genes in bovine trophoblast cells in vitro

Abstract

Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and F_2α (PGF_2α) are synthesized by the maternal endometrium and embryo trophoblastic cells. PGE₂ supports maternal pregnancy recognition (MPR), and PGF_2α promotes luteolysis. Decreasing PGF_2α and increasing PGE₂synthesis can enhance MPR. Specific fatty acids (FA) influence prostaglandins (PG) biosynthesis. Oleic acid (OA) affects PG synthesis in cell cultures; however, its effect on cultured bovine trophoblast cells (CT-1) is unknown. The hypothesis proposed is that OA reduces PGF_2α synthesis and increases PGE₂ synthesis, altering the PGE₂:PGF_2α ratio and expression of PG synthesis and MPR-related genes in CT-1 cells.

The study aimed to determine the effects of varying OA concentrations (50–1000 μM) for 48 and 72 h on PGE₂ and PGF_2α synthesis, transcript expression involved in PG synthesis (PTGS2, PTGES1, PTGES2 and AKR1B1), and MPR-related genes (PTGER4, IFNT, MMP2, and MMP9) in CT-1 cells. CT-1 cultures were treated with OA for 48 and 72 h, and PGE₂ and PGF_2α concentrations were measured using ELISA. After 72 h of OA treatment, transcript expression in CT-1 cells via qPCR. OA caused a linear increase in PGE₂ concentrations at 48 h and in the PGE₂:PGF_2α ratio at 48 and 72 h. OA caused a linear decrease in PGF_2α concentrations 48 and 72 h. OA increased PTGES1 transcript abundance and decreased PTGES2, PTGER4, AKR1B1. and IFNT transcript levels. In conclusion, OA reduces PGF_2α synthesis, increases the PGE₂:PGF_2α ratio, and alters expression of transcripts involved in PG synthesis and IFNT.