Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase 2 (PTGS2) and Prostaglandins F2[alpha] and E2 Synthases (PGFS and PGES) Expression and Prostaglandin F2[alpha] and E2 Secretion Following Oestrogen and/or Progesterone Stimulation of the Feline Endometrium

Contents Sex steroids in synergy with prostaglandins (PG) are involved in the regulation of cyclic ovarian function. In this study, we investigated the mRNA expression of three genes involved in arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and hence PG production in domestic cats: PG-endoperoxide synthase (PTGS2), PGF2[alpha] synthase (PGFS) and PGE2 synthase (PGES). Feline endometria (n=16) were collected at oestrus and mid and late phases of pseudopregnancy. In addition, the effects of E2 and/or P4 on PG secretion and gene expression on endometrial explants were studied in an in vitro culture system. Expression levels of all examined genes were up-regulated at the mid phase of pseudopregnancy. The effects of E2 and/or P4 treatment on both PG secretion and expression of the genes were observed after 12h of culture. Expression of PGES was significantly up-regulated by E2 plus P4 at oestrus and the mid phase of pseudopregnancy and was also up-regulated by a single treatment with P4 at late pseudopregnancy (p