Evaluation of changes in the expression of Wnt/β-catenin target genes in mouse reproductive tissues during estrous cycle: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND

The Wingless-type (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling pathway controls cell homeostasis. Reproductive tissues are dynamic in response to steroidal hormone changes. Steroidal hormones are known to control the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, but their role in reproductive tissues remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to investigate the expression patterns of Wnt/β-catenin target genes in mouse reproductive tissues during the normal estrous cycle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, 16 adult NMRI mice were grouped as proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus according to vaginal smear and histological evaluation of uterine and ovarian tissues. Uterine horns and ovarian tissues were collected. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the expression of Wnt/β-catenin target genes ( and ) at different stages of the estrous cycle.

RESULTS

The expression levels of , , and in uterine tissue were significantly higher at the proestrus phase than at the other stages. Meanwhile, expression in uterine tissue was significantly higher at the metestrus stage than at the other stages. Furthermore, expression was significantly higher at the diestrus stage than at the estrus and metestrus stages. In the ovarian tissue, the highest expression of , , and was detected at the proestrus stage, whereas the highest expression of and was observed at the estrus stage.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that Wnt/β-catenin target genes profiles are different among estrous cycle. It seems that different hormonal profiles during estrous cycles play a key role in the expression pattern of Wnt/β-catenin target genes in ovarian and uterine tissue.