Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation changes prostaglandin concentration ratio and alters the expression of genes involved in maternal-fetal recognition from bovine trophoblast cells in vitro

Early embryonic mortality caused by maternal-fetal recognition failure in the three weeks after fertil-ization represents a major cause of reproductive inefficiency in the cattle industry. Modifying the amounts and ratios of prostaglandin (PG) F2a and PGE2 can benefit the establishment of pregnancy in cattle. Adding conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to endometrial and fetal cells culture affects PG synthesis, but its effect on bovine trophoblast cells (CT-1) is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of CLA (a mixture of cis- and trans-9, 11-and -10,12-octadecadienoic acids) on PGE2 and PGF2a synthesis and the expression of transcripts involved with maternal-fetal recognition of bovine tro-phectoderm. Cultures of CT-1 were exposed to CLA for 24, 48 and 72 h. Transcript abundance was determined by qRT-PCR and hormone profiles were quantified by ELISA. The PGE2 and PGF2a concen-trations were reduced in the culture medium of CLA-exposed CT-1 compared to that of unexposed cells. Furthermore, CLA supplementation increased the PGE2:PGF2a ratio in CT-1 and had a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on the relative expression of MMP9, PTGES2, and PTGER4. The relative expression levels of PTGER4 were reduced (P < 0.05) in CT-1 cultured with 100 mM CLA than in the unsupplemented and 10 mM-CLA groups. Treatment of CT-1 with CLA decreased PGE2 and PGF2a synthesis but a biphasic effect of CLA was observed on the PGE2:PGF2a ratio and relative abundance of transcripts with 10 mM CLA providing maximal improvements in each endpoint. Our data suggest that CLA may influence eicosanoid metabolic process and extracellular matrix remodeling. (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)