Leethongdee S, Khalid M, Scaramuzzi R J
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Amphur Muang, Mahasarakham, Thailand.
The Royal Veterinary College, North Mimms, Hertfordshire, UK.
Reprod Domest Anim. 2014 Aug;49(4):568-575. doi: 10.1111/rda.12312. Epub 2014 Apr 23.
During the periovulatory period, the cervix relaxes in response to changes in circulating concentrations of reproductive hormones. The present study investigated the role of gonadotrophins in cervical function by examining the expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and their mRNAs following intracervical treatment with either FSH or LH. Eighteen ewes were assigned to four groups, and they were then treated with progestagen sponges and PMSG to synchronize their oestrous cycles. Intracervical treatments were given 24 h after sponge removal as follows: Group 1: FSH 2 mg; Group 2: LH 2 mg; Group 3: Vehicle and Group 4: Control. Cervices were collected 54 h after sponge removal and then divided into three regions. The expression of FSHR and LHR was determined by immunohistochemistry and FSHR mRNA and LH mRNA by in situ hybridization. The expression of LHR, FSHR and their respective mRNAs was compared in six tissue layers (luminal epithelium, subepithelial stroma, circular, longitudinal and transverse muscle and serosa) and in three cervical regions (vaginal, mid and uterine). The results showed that FSH increased transcription of the FSHR gene and the levels of its receptor, but only in subepithelial stroma of the cervix. FSH also increased the levels of LHR in the cervix, but only in the muscle layers. LH had no effect on the levels of FSHR despite the fact that it did increase the level of transcription of the FSHR gene and LH also increased the levels of its own receptor in the cervix, but only in the muscle layers, and this action was independent of increased levels of transcription of the LHR gene. These findings suggest multiple levels of regulation of cervical LH and FSH receptors and that the gonadotrophins may have a role in relaxation of the cervix during oestrus by regulating their own receptors.
在排卵期前后，子宫颈会因循环生殖激素浓度的变化而松弛。本研究通过检测用促卵泡激素（FSH）或促黄体生成素（LH）进行宫颈内治疗后，卵泡刺激素受体（FSHR）和促黄体生成素受体（LHR）及其mRNA的表达，来研究促性腺激素在宫颈功能中的作用。将18只母羊分为四组，然后用孕激素海绵栓和孕马血清促性腺激素（PMSG）处理以同步其发情周期。在取出海绵栓24小时后进行宫颈内治疗，如下：第1组：FSH 2毫克；第2组：LH 2毫克；第3组：赋形剂；第4组：对照。在取出海绵栓54小时后收集子宫颈，然后分为三个区域。通过免疫组织化学法测定FSHR和LHR的表达，通过原位杂交法测定FSHR mRNA和LH mRNA。比较了六个组织层（腔上皮、上皮下基质、环形、纵向和横向肌肉以及浆膜）和三个宫颈区域（阴道、中部和子宫部）中LHR、FSHR及其各自mRNA的表达。结果表明，FSH增加了FSHR基因的转录及其受体水平，但仅在子宫颈的上皮下基质中。FSH还增加了子宫颈中LHR的水平，但仅在肌肉层中。LH对FSHR水平没有影响，尽管它确实增加了FSHR基因的转录水平，并且LH也增加了其自身受体在子宫颈中的水平，但仅在肌肉层中，并且这种作用与LHR基因转录水平的增加无关。这些发现表明宫颈LH和FSH受体存在多层次调节，并且促性腺激素可能通过调节自身受体在发情期子宫颈松弛中发挥作用。
