Expression and hormone regulation of UCP2 in goat uterus

• Published in: Animal reproduction science 2022-08, Vol.243, p.107015-107015, Article 107015
• Main Authors: Sun, Ya, Bu, Li-Ge, Wang, Bo, Ren, Jie, Li, Ting-Yue, Kong, Li-Li, Ni, Hua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Early pregnancy; Goat; Hormone regulation; UCP2; Uterus
• ISSN: 0378-4320; 1873-2232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107015

Pregnancy success is closely related to the molecular mechanisms that control energy metabolism balance. However, the mechanisms have not been fully understood. Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) plays a physiological role by regulating energy metabolism in numerous tissues. In this study, we determined the expression and hormone regulation of UCP2 in goat uterus. UCP2 is expressed in the luminal and glandular epithelia of goat uterus during early pregnancy, as revealed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry conducted on pregnant goats. The signals were detected from day 0 (D0) to D30 of pregnancy, though weak on D16 (the adhesion period). The low levels of UCP2 on D16 were confirmed by RT-qPCR and western blot. In goat uterus and endometrial epithelial cells (EECs), UCP2 was up-regulated by progesterone and estrogen. In addition, after goat EECs were treated with genipin (an inhibitor of UCP2), not only UCP2 expression but also cell proliferation was inhibited. Collectively, UCP2 is dynamically expressed in goat uterus and can affect EEC proliferation, suggesting that it may participate in regulating the energy metabolism balance of goat uterus during early pregnancy. •UCP2 was dynamically expressed in the luminal (LE) and glandular (GE) epithelia of goat uterus during early pregnancy.•UCP2 was up-regulated by progesterone and estrogen in goat uterus and endometrial epithelial cells (EECs).•Suppression of UCP2 by genipin resulted in inhibition of goat endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) proliferation.