Fitoestrogénios na égua lusitana: efeito do cumestrol na síntese da prostaglandina F2α’ no endométrio | Phytoestrogens in the Lusitano mare: influence of coumestrol in prostaglandin F2α’ synthesis
2012
Botelho, Marta Alexandra Ferreira Marques | Ferreira-Dias, Graça Maria | Fradinho, Maria João Martelo
Mestrado em Engenharia Zootécnica - Produção Animal - Instituto Superior de Agronomia / Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária
Show more [+] Less [-]Phytoestrogens are compounds found in plants and, consequently, in animal feed, whose similarity with 17β-estradiol (E2) enables its binding to estrogen receptors influencing several endocrine mechanisms during the oestrous cycle. This study shows that coumestrol can influence the secretory function of the endometrium of the mare, modulating the production of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). Coumestrol was found in clover mixed pastures and in alfalfa pellets used to formulate a controlled diet. This phytoestrogen and its metabolite were also quantified in blood plasma of non-pregnant Lusitano mares showing its absorption, after ingestion. In in vitro experiments, the effect of coumestrol on PGF2α secretion from equine endometrial epithelial and stromal cells was examinated. Cells were stimulated with coumestrol (10-8M), E2 (10-9M) and oxytocin (OT,10-7 M, positive control) for 24 hours. Coumestrol increased viability of stromal cells (p<0.05), transcription of the gene responsible for prostaglandin sinthase - 2 in the same cells (p<0.05) and the secretion of PGF2α in both epithelial (p<0.001) and stromal (p<0.001). These findings suggest that coumestrol may modulate prostaglandin secretion from endometrial cells and may be potentially associated to oestrus disorders in the mare.
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