Embryo Mortality with an Impaired Interferon-Tau Release Mounts a Massive T-Helper Immune Response in Lactating Holstein-Friesian cows

ABSTRACT: Embryo mortality (EM) contributes to infertility, but its exact mechanism is poorly understood. It was hypothesized that bovine EM pregnancies have impaired conceptus-derived interferon-tau (IFNT) release and action and are associated with altered transcriptome responses. The objective was to discover transcriptome response in EM tissues (endometrium [ENDO], corpus luteum [CL] and peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMC]) in lactating Holstein-Friesian cows. Two experiments (E1, E2) in day 16 pregnant (exposed to semen; E1:n=13, E2:n=15) or non-pregnant (NP; not exposed to semen; E1:n=7, E2:n=7) cows were completed. Uterine flushings (UF) and tissues were collected. Pregnant cows were also classified based on conceptus morphology and appearance for EM (E1:n=5, E2:n=6) or normal (N) conceptuses (E1:n=8, E2:n=9). Conceptuses and tissues were RNA sequenced and analyzed. The N conceptuses were longer (P<0.05) than EM conceptuses. The IFNT protein concentrations in UF were greater in N compared to EM and NP cows in E1 but not for E2. The ENDO conjugated ISG15 concentrations were greater in N (E1) than EM and NP cows but N (E2) were only greater than NP not EM cows. The major up-regulated canonical pathway in EM conceptuses was T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2. The ENDO had a massive increase in interferon stimulated genes in N and EM compared to NP cows. Estradiol-associated genes were up-regulated in EM compared to N ENDO for E2. The PBMC in E1 reflected up-regulation of genes associated Th1 immune responses in EM compared to N cows. Luteolytic pathways were upregulated in EM CL compared to N cows. This disruption of maternal recognition of pregnancy in EM pregnancies entails a massive T helper immune response within the conceptus, estradiol re-modelling of the ENDO, abnormal immune system in PBMC, luteolysis cascade in CL and, potentially, loss of pregnancy.

ORGANISM(S): Bos taurus

PROVIDER: GSE233492 | GEO | 2024/08/09

REPOSITORIES: GEO