Testosterone Down-regulates Expression of αVβ3-integrin, E-cadherin and Mucin-1 during Uterine Receptivity Period in Rats

• Main Authors: Mohd Mokhtar, Helmy, Giribabu, Nelli, Salleh, Naguib
• Format: Article
• Published: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2018
• Subjects: R Medicine
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/21225/; https://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2018-4710-28
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

Adequate development of uterine receptivity is crucial for establishment of pregnancy. Expression of uterine receptivity molecules i.e. αvβ3 integrin, E-cadherin and mucin-1 could be affected by testosterone. The objective of this study was to investigate effect of testosterone on expression of these molecules during early pregnancy. 30 ovariectomised female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups that consisted of vehicle control, rats received eight days sex-steroid replacement regime (intended to mimic the hormonal changes in early pregnancy) and three groups of rats given testosterone (1 mg/kg/day) subcutaneously with or without flutamide or finasteride between day 6 and 8 representing the period of uterine receptivity. At the end of the treatment, rats were sacrificed and uteri were removed. Expression and distribution of αvβ3 integrin, E-cadherin and mucin-1 were examined by immunoflourescence and levels of messenger RNA (mRNAs) were evaluated by real-time PCR. Expression of αvβ3 integrin, E-cadherin and mucin-1 in the uteri of rats receiving sex-steroid replacement regime increased significantly as compared to control (p<0.05). In these rats, concomitant administration of testosterone between day 6 and 8 resulted in expression of αvβ3 integrin, E-cadherin and mucin-1 to decrease significantly (p<0.05) as compared to rats receiving sex-steroid replacement regime without testosterone treatment. Moreover, the testosterone effects were not antagonized by either flutamide or finasteride. As a result, reduced expression of uterine receptivity molecules by testosterone might interfere with early pregnancy establishment, therefore could adversely affect the female fertility.