Bovine endometrial retinol-binding protein secretion, messenger ribonucleic acid expression, and cellular localization during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy.

Retinol-binding protein (RBP) mRNA was localized to luminal and glandular epithelial cells of bovine endometrium by in situ hybridization. Relative levels of endometrial RBP mRNA expression during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy were determined by quantitative slot blot analysis and contrasted with uterine luminal concentrations of RBP. Expression of mRNA was moderate at Day 1 after estrus, declined at Day 5, reached lowest levels by Day 10, rose significantly through Days 15-17, and peaked at Day 20. RBP mRNA expression in pregnant animals was similar to that in cyclic animals on Day 15, doubled between Days 17 and 20, remained constant through Day 22, and rose slightly thereafter. Luminal RBP concentrations of cyclic cows, as determined by ELISA, decreased from Day 1 through Day 10, rose dramatically on Day 15, then declined through Day 20. Concentrations of RBP in uterine flushes from pregnant animals were similar to those of cyclic cows on Day 15 but remained relatively constant through Day 17. It is concluded that 1) RBP synthesis occurs in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells, 2) RBP transcription and secretion are correlated with each other, and 3) ovarian steroids, possibly in conjunction with uterine concentrations of their receptors, modulate uterine RBP expression.