Effects of oxytocin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and polyunsaturated fatty acids on prostaglandin secretion and gene expression in equine endometrial explant cultures

Abstract Increased secretion of prostaglandin F 2 α (PGF 2 α) within the uterus because of uterine inflammation can cause luteolysis and result in early embryonic loss. Supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been shown to influence PG production in many species, although the effects on the mare remain unknown. The present study aimed to determine fatty acid uptake in equine endometrial explants and evaluate their influence on PG secretion and expression of enzymes involved in PG synthesis in vitro. Equine endometrial explants were treated with 100 μM arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, or docosahexaenoic acid and then challenged with oxytocin (250 nM) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 μg/mL). Production of PGF 2 α and PG E 2 (PGE 2 ) was measured, and mRNA expression of enzymes involved in PG synthesis was determined with quantitative real-time PCR. Media concentrations of PGF 2 α and PGE 2 were higher ( P P 2 α and PGE 2 from explants. Endometrial explants stimulated with oxytocin had increased expression of PG-endoperoxide synthase 1 (PTGS1; P P 2 α synthase (PGFS; P 2 synthase (PGES; P 2 (PLA 2 ; P P P P 2 ( P