Expression and functional role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in placenta during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

•BMPs were found to be expressed in the placenta during all stages of pregnancy.•BMP4 and BMP7 stimulate trophoblast cell steroidogenesis and angiogensis.•BMP4 and BMP7 possibly act as a cytoprotective factor and promote trophoblast cell survival. The objective of this study was to document the expression and functional role of BMPs in the placental (caruncle; CAR, cotyledon; COT) during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo. Samples collected from Early pregnancy 1 (EP1); Early pregnancy 2 (EP2), Mid pregnancy (MP), Late pregnancy (LP) while the third stage of oestrus cycle (NP) was taken as control. Also, the synergistic role of BMP4/BMP7 or combination on mRNA expression of vWF, PCNA, StAR, CYP11A1, 3βHSD, and BAX were studied in trophoblast cells cultured (TCC) during an early stage. The qPCR and immunoblotting studies revealed that BMP2, BMPR1A, BMPR1B, and BMPR2 mRNA level was significantly (p