Hanako Bai

Expression of interferon-tau (IFNT), necessary for pregnancy establishment in ruminant ungulates, is regulated in a temporal and spatial manner. However, molecular mechanisms by which IFNT gene transcription is regulated in this manner have not been firmly established. In this study, DNA microarray/RT-PCR analysis between bovine trophoblast CT-1 and Mardin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells was initially performed, finding that transcription factors GATA2, GATA3, and GATA6 mRNAs were specific to C

Numerous transcription factors that regulate trophoblast developmental processes have been identified; however, the regulation of trophoblast-specific gene expression has not been definitively characterized. While a new role of Gata3 in trophoblast development was being demonstrated in mice, we examined effects of GATA transcription factors on conceptus interferon tau (IFNT), a major trophectoderm factor in ruminants. In this study, expression patterns of trophoblast ASCL2, CDX2, CSH1, ELF5, HAN

Despite exhaustive studies, molecular mechanisms governing blastocyst formation, implantation to the uterine endometrium and placentation have not been definitively characterized. GATA family proteins are a group of zinc finger transcription factors, for which gene ablations eventually result in embryonic death later in pregnancy. These findings suggested that GATA factors are not essential for early embryonic development. However, recent studies from our laboratory and others have revealed that

Heat stress adversely affects the reproductive function in cows. Although a relationship between heat stress and oxidative stress has been suggested, it has not been sufficiently verified in bovine endometrial epithelial cells. Here, we investigated whether oxidative stress is induced by heat stress in bovine endometrial epithelial cells under high temperature. Luciferase reporter assays showed that the reporter activity of heat shock element and antioxidant responsive element was increased in e

The establishment of a successful pregnancy requires a "fine quality embryo", "maternal recognition of pregnancy", and a "receptive uterus" during the period of conceptus implantation to the uterine endometrium. In ruminants, a conceptus cytokine, interferon tau (IFNT), a major cytokine produced by the peri-implantation trophectoderm, is known as a key factor for maternal recognition of pregnancy. IFNT can be considered one of the main factors in conceptus-uterus cross-talk, resulting in the res

The summer of 1994 was unusually hot and dry in Japan, setting a record for high temperature and low rainfall in many areas. The daily record of temperature of July and August which were announced by Osaka District Meteorological Observatory exceeded the past ones. The daily recorded temperature of 75 consecutive days in Osaka city was above 30 degrees C with the maximum 39.1 degrees C on 18 August 1994 and 38 degrees C on 16 July 1994. The number of unusual deaths (except traffic accidents) in

Heat stress negatively affects reproductive functions in cows. Increased temperature disturbs fetal development in utero. However, the effect of heat stress on uterine endometrial tissues has not been fully examined. Using qPCR analysis, we measured the mRNA expression of various molecular markers in uterine endometrial tissue of dairy cows from Hokkaido, Japan, in winter and summer. Markers examined were heat shock proteins (HSPs), antioxidant enzymes (catalase, copper/zinc superoxide dismutase

Since the discovery of interferon-tau (IFNT) over 30 years ago as the trophectodermal cytokine responsible for the maintenance of the maternal corpus luteum (CL) in ruminants, exhaustive studies have been conducted to identify genes and gene products related to CL maintenance. Recent studies have provided evidence that although CL maintenance, with the up- and down-regulation of IFNT, is important, its regulatory role in the endometrial expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) is far mor

The transcription factor GATA1 is known to play an essential role in hematopoiesis, but its other roles have not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine relationships between GATA1 and GATA2 and/or GATA3, and to identify their possible functions in ovine development. GATA1 mRNA was found in ovine conceptuses and endometrial epithelial regions of Day 15 (Day 0=day of estrus) cyclic and Days 15, 17, and 21 pregnant ovine uteri. GATA1 mRNA was strongly expressed in conce

Calving is a critical but stressful event required for milk production in dairy cows. In the present study, we investigated the immune status of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from periparturient cows to better understand and, thus, possibly prevent stress during the periparturient period. To evaluate the immune response of PBMCs, we assessed their proliferation with or without a mitogen (concanavalin A, ConA). Blood samples were collected 24 h before and after calving and 1

The effect of dietary vitamin K₃ (VK3) on ruminant animals is not fully investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of dietary VK3 on lactation performance, rumen characteristics, and VK1 and menaquinone (MK, or VK2) dynamics in the rumen, plasma, and milk of dairy cows. Eight Holstein dairy cows in late lactation periods were used in two crossover trials including a control (nontreatment) and a 50 or 200 mg/day (d) VK3 supplementation group. After 14 days, plasma,

Bovine primary uterine endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) are not ideal for long-term studies, because primary EECs lose hormone responsiveness quickly, and/or they tend to have a short life span. The aims of this study were to establish immortalized bovine EECs and to characterize these cells following long-term cultures. Immortalized bovine EECs were established by transfecting retroviral vectors encoding human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7, and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)