Kanthawat Supapit, Srisuwatanasagul Kongkiat, Thatsanabunjong Fueangrat, Chaivoravitsakul Nardtiwa, Panyaboriban Saritvich, Srisuwatanasagul Sayamon
Veterinary Bioscience Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Animals (Basel). 2024 Sep 27;14(19):2793. doi: 10.3390/ani14192793.
This study aimed to elucidate the morphophysiology and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) expression in the cervix of doe goats during various reproductive stages to enhance reproductive management strategies. A total of 40 cervical samples were categorized into follicular ( = 15), luteal ( = 10), and early pregnancy ( = 15) stages. Utilizing advanced imaging based on functional and morphological markers, the study employed computed tomography (CT) scans, histochemical staining (Masson trichrome and alcian blue), immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) to assess structural changes in the cervix and in OXTR expression during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. CT scans revealed consistent cervical folds and a significant reduction in cervical width during pregnancy, suggesting structural adaptations for gestational integrity. Histochemical analyses indicated a well-organized collagen network and presence of mucins, essential for cervical function and integrity. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting demonstrated elevated OXTR protein levels during the follicular stage, which were markedly reduced during pregnancy, indicating a role in facilitating cervical relaxation and sperm transport during estrus and maintaining cervical closure during gestation. qPCR analysis showed stable mRNA levels during follicular and luteal stages with a slight, non-significant increase during pregnancy, pointing towards posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that cervical morphology and OXTR expression in doe goats undergo significant changes across reproductive stages, with elevated OXTR protein levels during the follicular phase and notable reductions in cervical width and OXTR protein levels during pregnancy, indicating structural and functional adaptations for both reproductive processes and gestational integrity.
本研究旨在阐明母山羊子宫颈在不同生殖阶段的形态生理学及催产素受体（OXTR）表达情况，以完善繁殖管理策略。总共40份子宫颈样本被分为卵泡期（n = 15）、黄体期（n = 10）和早期妊娠（n = 15）阶段。该研究利用基于功能和形态学标记的先进成像技术，采用计算机断层扫描（CT）、组织化学染色（Masson三色染色和阿尔辛蓝染色）、免疫组织化学、蛋白质免疫印迹法和定量聚合酶链反应（qPCR）来评估发情周期和早期妊娠期间子宫颈的结构变化及OXTR表达。CT扫描显示，妊娠期间子宫颈皱襞一致且子宫颈宽度显著减小，表明其结构为维持妊娠完整性而发生了适应性变化。组织化学分析表明，存在组织良好的胶原网络和黏蛋白，这对子宫颈功能和完整性至关重要。免疫组织化学和蛋白质免疫印迹法显示，卵泡期OXTR蛋白水平升高，而妊娠期间显著降低，表明其在发情期促进子宫颈松弛和精子运输以及在妊娠期维持子宫颈闭合中发挥作用。qPCR分析显示，卵泡期和黄体期mRNA水平稳定，妊娠期间略有增加但无统计学意义，表明存在转录后调控机制。总之，本研究表明，母山羊子宫颈形态和OXTR表达在生殖阶段会发生显著变化，卵泡期OXTR蛋白水平升高，妊娠期间子宫颈宽度和OXTR蛋白水平显著降低，表明其在生殖过程和妊娠完整性方面发生了结构和功能上的适应性变化。
