Intrauterine Infusion of TGF-β1 Prior to Insemination Alike Seminal Plasma Influences Endometrial Cytokine Responses but Does Not Impact the Timing of the Progression of Pre-Implantation Pig Embryo Development

摘要

Although endometrial immune regulation in pigs during the early preimplantation period is poorly documented, particularly under conditions of embryo transfer (ET), it is recognized that seminal plasma (SP) induces molecular changes in the reproductive tract, influencing numerous reproductive functions. A principal constituent of SP is the cytokine transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), which has an important role in embryo development, pregnancy establishment, and progression. The present study evaluated different intrauterine infusion treatments at estrus (40 mL of SP, porcine TGF-β1 in an extender, or an extender alone (control)) by mimicking an ET scenario in so-called “donor” (inseminated) and “recipient” (uninseminated) sows. We investigated the effects of these treatments on day 6 embryo development (“donors”) and endometrial explants’ cytokine production (“donors” and “recipients”). SP infusion positively influenced embryo development compared with TGF-β1 or extender infusions. Infusion treatments differentially affected endometrial cytokine production, with the effects being stronger in “donors” than in “recipients.” Increased knowledge of the effects of SP or some of its active components on the female immune system may help to develop strategies for increasing the reproductive efficiency for the benefit of pig ET.