Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330660

Title: Effects of interferon-tau and steroids on cytochrome P450 activity in bovine endometrial epithelial cells

Author
item GILFEATHER, CHRISTA - Mississippi State University
item LEMLEY, CALEB - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Reproduction in Domestic Animals
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/29/2016
Publication Date: 4/22/2016
Citation: Gilfeather, C.L., Lemley, C.O. 2016. Effects of interferon-tau and steroids on cytochrome P450 activity in bovine endometrial epithelial cells. Reproduction of Domestic Animals. 51:415-420.

Interpretive Summary: The objective of the current study was to examine cyclooxygenase (COX), cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) and 2C (CYP2C) activity in bovine endometrial cell cultures following exposure to oxytocin (OT), interferon-t (IFN), estradiol (E2) and/or progesterone (P4). Bovine endometrial epithelial cells were treated with these endocrine factors and analyzed. IFN may downregulate endometrial cytochrome P450 activity. This response could be important during maternal recognition of pregnancy, as cytochrome P450 enzymes are known to metabolize steroids and arachidonic acid, which play a vital role in uterine physiology. The in vivo responses of cytochrome P450 enzymes following acute or chronic hormone exposures have yet to be determined in cattle. Moreover, these enzymatic pathways could be targeted with pharmacologically active cytochrome P450 inhibitors or inducers during specific time points of maternal recognition of pregnancy to alter steroid and arachidonic acid metabolizing capacity of the endometrium.

Technical Abstract: The objective of the current study was to examine cyclooxygenase (COX), cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) and 2C (CYP2C) activity in bovine endometrial cell cultures following exposure to oxytocin (OT), interferon-t (IFN), estradiol (E2) and/or progesterone (P4). Bovine endometrial epithelial cells were treated with OT, IFN, a combination of OT+IFN or control (CON) media for 24 h. For the second experiment, cells were treated with E2, P4, a combination of E2 + P4 or CON media for 24 h. Treatments were performed in triplicate, and the experiment was repeated four times (n = 12 per treatment). Treatment with OT alone increased (p < 0.01) activity of COX compared with CON; however, OT alone did not alter activity of CYP1A (p = 0.55) or CYP2C (p = 0.46) compared with CON. Activity of CYP1A and CYP2C was decreased in cells exposed to IFN (p < 0.01) or OT+IFN (p < 0.01) compared with CON. Treatment with E2 alone did not alter activity of CYP1A (p = 0.64) or CYP2C (p = 0.06) compared with CON. Activity of CYP1A and CYP2C was decreased (p < 0.01) in P4 vs CON. In summary, IFN exposure, irrespective of OT treatment, decreased the activity of CYP1A and CYP2C. Activity of CYP1A was decreased following P4 treatment alone, while that of CYP2C was decreased following both P4 and E2 + P4 treatment. The mixed function monooxygenase enzymes, CYP1A and CYP2C, have been implicated in synthesizing embryotoxic compounds; therefore, downregulation in the endometrium may be necessary during maternal recognition of pregnancy.