Edited by: Tomer Avidor-Reiss, The University of Toledo, United States
Reviewed by: Susan S. Suarez, Cornell University, United States; John J. Bromfield, University of Florida, United States
This article was submitted to Cell Growth and Division, a section of the journal Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
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An appropriate female reproductive environment is essential for pregnancy success. In several species, including mice, pigs and horses, seminal plasma (SP) components have been shown to modulate this environment, leading to increased embryo viability and implantation. Due to the characteristics of mating in the aforementioned species, SP comes into direct contact with the uterus. However, it is questionable whether any SP reaches the uterus in species that ejaculate inside the vagina, such as humans and cattle. Hence, we hypothesized that sperm, perhaps acting as a vehicle for SP factors, play a more important role in the modulation of the maternal uterine environment in these species. In addition, changes elicited by SP and/or sperm may originate in the vagina and propagate to more distal regions of the female reproductive tract. To test these hypotheses, a bovine model in which heifers were mated to intact or vasectomized bulls or were left unmated was used. RNA-sequencing of endometrial samples collected 24 h after mating with a vasectomized bull did not reveal any differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in comparison with control samples. However, the endometrium of heifers mated with intact bulls exhibited 24 DEGs when compared to heifers mated with vasectomized bulls, and 22 DEGs when compared to unmated control heifers. The expression of a set of cytokines (
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Embryonic loss is a major contributor to pregnancy failure in livestock species and humans, ranging from 20 to 40% (
Seminal plasma is a complex fluid resulting from the secretions of the testes, epididymides and accessory sex glands (in the bull: ampullae, seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral glands). Although it is difficult to accurately calculate the precise contribution of each organ and gland to the final composition of this fluid, vasectomy in the bull by removal of a portion of each vas deferens and therefore removing the contribution of the epididymides, does not appear to significantly affect SP volume (
Due to characteristics of mating in rodents, pigs and horses, SP reaches the uterus and can therefore interact directly with the endometrium (
In cattle, the expression of several inflammatory mediators (such as colony-stimulating factor 2 –
Based on these data, we hypothesized that in species that ejaculate inside the vagina, changes in the female reproductive environment begin in this region and then propagate to more distal regions, such as the uterus and/or the oviduct. Also, because of the lack of direct contact with the seminal fluid, sperm probably play a more important role in the modulation of the uterine environment in these species. In order to test these hypotheses, RNA-sequencing analysis of endometrial samples was carried out following natural mating of heifers with vasectomized (whose ejaculate lack sperm and epididymal and testicular fluid) or intact (that ejaculate sperm and SP) bulls. In addition, the expression of a set of interesting candidate genes was assessed in the vagina and oviductal ampulla, with the aim of determining the effects of sperm and accessory gland secretions from the most proximal region of the female reproductive tract (vagina) to the distal region where gamete interaction takes place (oviductal ampulla).
Unless otherwise stated, all chemicals and reagents were sourced from Sigma-Aldrich (Arklow, Ireland).
All experimental procedures involving animals were approved by the Animal Research Ethics Committee of University College Dublin and licensed by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), Ireland, in accordance with Statutory Instrument No. 543 of 2012 (under Directive 2010/63/EU on the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes). For the duration of the study, all animals were housed in groups of 10–15, independent of treatment, and managed identically in terms of feeding and husbandry routines.
Vasectomy was carried out by removing approximately 5 cm of both vasa deferentia. This procedure took place 5–6 months prior to the trial. Vasectomized bulls underwent semen evaluation to confirm the lack of sperm and all ran as teasers for oestrus detection with 25 cows/heifers each during the breeding season preceding the study. Intact bulls underwent a breeding soundness evaluation prior to the study. Neither intact and vasectomized bulls had access to females for at least 5 months before the trial, nor during it (apart from the controlled mating to the experimental heifers).
Estrous cycles of crossbreed beef heifers (Angus and Holstein-Friesian cross;
Summary of the experimental design. Only heifers observed in standing estrus were mated with (1) an intact bull (blue;
All heifers were slaughtered in a commercial abattoir 24 h (±6 h) after mating and their reproductive tracts were recovered. The ovaries were examined to determine the site of the preovulatory or freshly ovulated follicle (
For total mRNA extraction, samples were first homogenized in Trizol reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, United States) using a steel bead and the Qiagen tissue lyzer (2 × 120 s at maximum speed). On-column RNA purification was performed using the Qiagen RNeasy kit (Qiagen, Crawley, Sussex, United Kingdom) per the manufacturer’s instructions. The quantity of RNA was determined using the Nano Drop 1000 spectrophotometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Dublin, Ireland). Prior to endometrial RNA sequencing analysis, the RNA quality was assessed by the Agilent Bioanalyzer (Agilent Technologies, Cork, Ireland). Only samples that exhibited a minimum RNA integrity number (RIN) of 8 were used in this experiment (
RNA library preparation and sequencing were performed by the University of Missouri DNA Core Facility as described previously by
For the annotated DEGs, the gene ontology analysis was performed using PANTHER
Total mRNA extraction was carried out as described above. For each sample, cDNA was prepared from approximately 100 ng of total mRNA using the High Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The cDNA obtained was diluted using RNase- and DNase-free water in a final concentration of 5 ng/mL and in a total volume of 100 μL. The diluted cDNA samples were stored at −20°C for subsequent analysis. As some samples were lost during the management of the experiment, the number of samples per group varies for the vagina region:
In order to determine SP effects on gene expression in vagina and oviduct regions, a set of genes (
All primers were designed using Primer Blast software
Primer efficiency was carried out for the genes of interest, and RT-qPCR of 1:4 dilutions of a cDNA mix from a representative pool of samples were analyzed. The presence of a single sharp peak in the melt curve as well as the standard curve was used to confirm primer specificity. The threshold cycle (Ct) for each sample was automatically calculated using the default settings within the SDS software (SDS 1.4, ABI). In order to obtain the relative expression values of the genes of interest, 2–ΔΔCT method was used (
Results expressed as ΔCT were analyzed with IBM SPSS 25.0 for Windows (Armonk; New York, NY, United States). Data were checked for normal distribution (Shapiro–Wilk test) and homoscedasticity (Levene test) to confirm that parametric assumptions were fulfilled. When these premises were not, data (x) were linearly transformed using the square root (√x) and arcsine of the square root (arcsin √x). Thereafter, data (transformed or not depending on the case) were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA followed by a Sidak
At the time of sample collection (24 ± 6 h after mating), a total of 13 heifers had a freshly ovulated follicle on their ovary, while the remaining animals exhibited a pre-ovulatory follicle (see
Sequencing of endometrial samples of heifers recovered 24 h after mating to intact bulls revealed a total of 22 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) compared with contemporary unmated animals (
List of differentially expressed genes (FDR < 0.05) in endometrial samples of heifers mated with intact bulls compared with unmated heifers.
Ensembl acc. number | Gene name | Gene description | logFC |
ENSBTAG00000014234 | Coiled-coil domain containing 196 | 8.63 | |
ENSBTAG00000043972 | Solute carrier family 24 member 2 | 4.15 | |
ENSBTAG00000004040 | UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 2 member A1 complex locus | 3.11 | |
ENSBTAG00000003529 | 2.82 | ||
ENSBTAG00000015727 | Interferon gamma inducible protein 47 | 2.62 | |
ENSBTAG00000049426 | Phosphatidylcholine transfer protein | 1.72 | |
ENSBTAG00000037929 | ADAM-like, decysin 1 | 1.42 | |
ENSBTAG00000019636 | Scavenger receptor class A member 5 | 1.06 | |
ENSBTAG00000017722 | Coagulation factor V | 0.99 | |
ENSBTAG00000019625 | Enoyl-CoA hydratase and 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase | 0.83 | |
ENSBTAG00000008735 | Vasoinhibin 1 | 0.77 | |
ENSBTAG00000001728 | Immunoglobulin superfamily member 10 | 0.72 | |
ENSBTAG00000046307 | CCAAT enhancer binding protein delta | −0.86 | |
ENSBTAG00000011079 | Chromosome 18 C19orf48 homolog | −0.92 | |
ENSBTAG00000007101 | Coagulation factor III, tissue factor | −1.04 | |
ENSBTAG00000051812 | Carbonic anhydrase 1-like | −2.45 | |
ENSBTAG00000008026 | Oxytocin/neurophysin I prepropeptide | −2.76 | |
ENSBTAG00000039446 | Elafin-like | −2.78 | |
ENSBTAG00000036116 | Carbonic anhydrase 1 | −3.39 | |
ENSBTAG00000016149 | Complement C9 | −4.08 | |
ENSBTAG00000050072 | Novel gene | −4.99 | |
ENSBTAG00000021565 | Serine protease 2 | −6.05 |
List of differentially expressed genes (FDR < 0.05) in endometrial samples of heifers mated with intact bulls compared with heifers mated with vasectomized bulls.
Ensembl acc. number | Gene name | Gene description | logFC |
ENSBTAG00000052851 | Novel gene | 4.57 | |
ENSBTAG00000016835 | Interleukin 17F | 4.50 | |
ENSBTAG00000032884 | Transition protein 2 | 3.78 | |
ENSBTAG00000019132 | Dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1 | 3.34 | |
ENSBTAG00000015727 | Interferon gamma inducible protein 47 | 3.18 | |
ENSBTAG00000009876 | Complement component 4 binding protein alpha | 2.78 | |
ENSBTAG00000004040 | UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 2 member A1 complex locus | 2.47 | |
ENSBTAG00000037539 | Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1-like | 1.81 | |
ENSBTAG00000021764 | Glycine receptor beta | 1.62 | |
ENSBTAG00000002214 | Tyrosine aminotransferase | 1.38 | |
ENSBTAG00000026779 | Lysozyme | 1.32 | |
ENSBTAG00000000601 | Collagen type XI alpha 2 chain | 1.14 | |
ENSBTAG00000019588 | MHC class II antigen | 1.11 | |
ENSBTAG00000034338 | Chromosome 15 C11orf88 homolog | 1.10 | |
ENSBTAG00000021526 | Reprimo, TP53 dependent G2 arrest mediator homolog | 1.05 | |
ENSBTAG00000033429 | Family with sequence similarity 229 member B | 0.94 | |
ENSBTAG00000024869 | C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 | 0.78 | |
ENSBTAG00000021522 | Group 10 secretory phospholipase A2 | 0.72 | |
ENSBTAG00000012703 | Glyoxalase I | −0.49 | |
ENSBTAG00000008147 | Microtubule associated monooxygenase, calponin and LIM domain containing 1 | −0.50 | |
ENSBTAG00000001150 | Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily E regulatory subunit 1 | −2.51 | |
ENSBTAG00000004607 | GSG1 like | −4.61 | |
ENSBTAG00000050072 | Novel gene | −4.94 | |
ENSBTAG00000021077 | Major histocompatibility complex, class II, DQ beta | −5.05 |
Three DEGs (
For the annotated genes in each comparison, the GO terms are shown in
Based on the results obtained from the endometrial RNA-sequencing, we were interested in studying whether gene expression changes are more dramatic at the site of semen deposition (the vagina), and whether these changes can propagate to more distal regions (the oviductal ampulla). Thus, six DEGs from the sequencing analysis were selected (
Differences in relative expression of
The main findings of this study are: (1) mating to an intact bull induces subtle changes in the endometrial transcriptome; however, (2) these transcriptomic changes are not observed in heifers mated to vasectomized bulls; (3) expression of
Seminal plasma is a complex fluid the composition of which is determined by the size, storage capacity, and secretory output of different organs of the male reproductive tract, which in the bull include: testes, epididymides, ampullae of the vasa deferentia, seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral glands. After completion of spermatogenesis, sperm enter the epididymis bathed in fluid produced by the rete testis, which will be absorbed in its majority by the epididymal epithelium (
Growing evidence exists for a role of SP in the modulation of cellular and molecular events in the maternal tract of several species during early pregnancy (
To address this lack of basic knowledge, this study aimed to determine the effects of bovine SP and sperm exposure during natural mating on the endometrial transcriptome. Additionally, gene expression changes were assessed at the site of semen deposition (vagina) and the distal region where gamete interaction takes place (the oviductal ampulla) to determine whether SP-induced changes can propagate throughout the female reproductive tract.
In the present study, heifers were mated between 0 and 6 h after seen in standing estrus. Average time from estrus onset to ovulation is 27 h (
Strikingly, when heifers were exposed to SP in the absence of sperm and testicular and epididymal secretions (i.e., mated to a vasectomized bull) the endometrial RNA-sequencing analysis did not reveal any DEGs in comparison with samples from unmated animals. Conversely, the endometrial transcriptome of heifers mated to intact bulls differed from the control and vasectomized groups, exhibiting differential regulation of a small number of genes that may play a role in bovine fertility. Although, these results could be due to SP reaching the uterus in both treatments, but only testicular of epididymal factors inducing a response; it is more likely that, in cattle, SP does not reach the uterus in the 24 h following natural mating, at least in the absence of a vehicle, such as sperm.
When compared with control endometrial samples, endometrium obtained from heifers mated to an intact bull exhibited up-regulation of 12 genes and down-regulation of 10 genes. Amongst these genes regulated by mating, some have been shown to participate in tissue remodeling, an important step preparing endometrium to embryo implantation. The gene coding for scavenger receptor class A, member 5 (
When comparing endometrial samples from heifers mated to intact bulls to those from heifers mated to vasectomized bulls, 18 genes were found to be up-regulated and four down-regulated. Amongst the up-regulated genes, literature on
From an immunological point of view, the expression of interferon gamma inducible protein 47 (
The lack of a response to mating with a vasectomized bull, together with the discovery of genes that were regulated by mating to intact bulls, led to the analysis of tissues that have direct contact with seminal fluid (i.e., the vagina). The ejaculation site during natural conception is an important factor to take into consideration since a recent study has shown that SP infusion into the vagina, but not into the uterus, could influence the levels of endometrial epidermal growth factor (
Interestingly,
The lack of changes in the endometrial transcriptome and in the expression of selected genes in the vagina and oviduct after mating to a vasectomized male do not support a role of SP (in the absence of sperm nor testicular and epididymal secretions) in regulating early pregnancy and uterine environment in cattle. Rather, the subtle changes in the transcriptome of the endometrium and the vagina seem to be elicited by sperm. These data indicate that, in species that ejaculate intravaginally, sperm play a more critical role in the modulation of the female environment. This is most apparent when looking at regulation of
Gene expression data are publicly available at the Dryad Digital Repository (
The animal study was reviewed and approved by the Animal Research Ethics Committee of University College Dublin, Ireland and licensed by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), Ireland, in accordance with Statutory Instrument No. 543 of 2012 (under Directive 2010/63/EU on the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes).
SR carried out the laboratory work, analyzed the results, and wrote the draft. YM-O contributed to the laboratory work and the analysis of results. BF-F, JS, SB-A, MM, and DK carried out the animal work, including handling of bulls and heifers, estrus detection, mating and sample collection. SB and TS performed the RNA library preparation and sequencing analysis. MY performed the statistical analysis of the data. BF-F created the illustrations for
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
The authors thank the farm staff at Teagasc Grange for their important collaboration and patience. The authors acknowledge the excellent implication of several colleagues for their assistance during sample collection and processing, especially Mary Wade, Dr. Clio Maicas, and Dr. John A. Browne. The authors also thank Dr. Isabel Barranco, Ariadna Delgado-Bermúdez, and Marc Llavanera for their help during data analysis and elaboration of some figures.
The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: