Research Group 4: Reproduction Biology

Subjects and Projects

4. Feto-maternal interactions

Feto-maternal interactions play an important role during pregnancy. In early stages, the conceptus has to signal its presence to the maternal system so that the lifespan of the corpus luteum is prolonged and the maternal immunological tolerance is induced. For the embryo-maternal-signalling different factors are responsible like hormones and cytokines.
We are going to investigate hormonal signals of the placenta but also secretory molecules of the reproductive tract and their influences on early embryonic states.

4.1. Pregnancy diagnosis in urine of Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardius) based on a pregnancy specific substance

Recently we found that urinary relaxin can be used for pregnancy diagnosis, requiring concentration by ultrafiltration allowing pregnancy detection between day 29 and 46 of pregnancy (Braun et al., 2009). Continuative studies revealed a urinary substance of uterine origin allowing to differentiate between pregnant and pseudo-pregnant females. As antibodies are available for this substance we developed and validated an efficient, quick and inexpensive EIA for the pregnancy specific substance (PSS) estimation in urine of the Iberian lynx for the differentiation between pregnancy and pseudo-pregnancy from the earliest possible pregnancy stage. Urine samples were diluted 1:10 and directly introduced into the EIA. PSS-levels determined in urine of pregnant female lynxes showed a steep increase from day 35 post copulation and a significant peak of 33 to 70 ng/ml PSS around parturition at day 65 p.c., followed by an abrupt decrease to basal levels of 1.5 ng/ml. In contrast to that, PSS levels of pseudo-pregnant females were characterized by baseline levels during the entire period of measurements (see figure). Importantly, levels never exceed 10 ng/ml urine. In conclusion, a definite differentiation between pregnancy and pseudo-pregnancy based on PSS determination in urine of the Iberian Lynx is possible approximately 25 days before expected delivery, when PSS levels exceed 10 ng/ ml urine.
LCMS analyses confirmed the presence of PSS in urine, accompanied by 2 other related substances. Recent activities are focused on the simultaneous analyses of all three substances by LCMS within minutes. 

Results:
Finkenwirth C, Jewgenow K, Vargas A, Meyer H, Dehnhard M
Pregnancy diagnosis in urine of Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardius) based on a pregnancy specific substance
Contributions to the 7th International Conference on Behaviour, Physiology and Genetics of Wildlife, Berlin, Germany, 21-24 September 2009, in press.

 

 4.2. Functional role of Oviductin during the fertilization process

During the oestrus cycle, the mammalian oviduct undergoes significant morphological, physiological and biochemical changes. These changes, affected by oestrogen, lead to a microenvironment for maturation and transport of gametes, capacitation of spermatozoa, fertilization and early embryonic development. Especially during the follicular phase the non-ciliated, secretory cells produce a high molecular weight, oviduct-specific glycoprotein, called Oviductin, which seems to play an important role in various reproductive events as it interacts with oocytes and spermatozoa and can influences the blastocyst development in some species.

Current research topics

Characterization of Oviductin expression within the oviductal epithelial cells of domestic cats (Felis catus)

Results

Kaffenberger A., Braun BC, Jewgenow K. Characterization of Oviductin expression within oviductual epithelial cells of domestic cats (Felis catus). Poster-Presention on the 7th International Conference on Behaviour, Physiology and Genetics of Wildlife, 21st - 24th September 2009, Berlin, Germany

Download pdf-poster after the conference)

 4.3. Comparative gene expression analysis of steroid biogenesis enzymes in the placenta of cat (Felis catus) and Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

Non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis in the highly endangered Iberian lynx is not possible by methods developed for domestic cats and other felids. In particular, progesterone and estrogen metabolite determination in feces and urine didn’t give comparable results. We assume that both, hormonal regulation of pregnancy and steroid metabolism, are different in lynx species in comparison to other felids. 

see also our hormone service

see also reproduction biology of Eurasian and Iberian lynx

 4.4. Characterization of the placental hormone Relaxin in Lynx pardinus

Relaxin, which is produced mainly by the placenta, is a useful marker for pregnancy. In the domestic cat, relaxin increases at the beginning of the second trimester (day 20 to 25) reaching a plateau and a subsequent decrease 10 to 15 days before parturition. Recently, it was shown that relaxin is detectable in urine of pregnant domestic cats and leopards. Since urine collection from captive Iberian lynx was established to supply urine for camera trapping and identification of free-ranging lynxes and it is performed on a regular basis at the ex-situ breeding program, the aim of the study was to test whether urine could be effectively used for pregnancy diagnosis. Our study also focused on looking for a relaxin signal in serum obtained using a minimally invasive method that involved the use of triatomine, blook-sucking, insects (link zu Voigt).

Results/ Publications

Braun BC, Frank A, Dehnhard M, Voigt CC, Vargas A, Göritz F, Jewgenow K (2009): Pregnancy diagnosis in urine of Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus). Theriogenology 71:754-761. DOI 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.09.054
Jewgenow K, Braun BC, Göritz F, Voigt CC, Martinez F, Anaya L, Vargas A, Dehnhard M. (2009) Pregnancy Diagnosis in Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) Based on Urinary and Blood Plasma Hormones. In: Iberian Lynx Ex situ Conservation: An Interdisciplinary Approach, ed. By A. Vargas, C. Breitenmoser & U. Breitenmoser, Fundación Biodiversidad / IUCN Cat Specialist Group.  Chapter 31.

see also research group 5

for further informations regarding our lynx research see

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