In the estrous cycle of bitches, the luteal phase or diestrus includes a period ranging from 60 to 100 days in non-pregnant animals, characterized by elevated serum progesterone during the first 20 days post-ovulation (p.o). Adiponectin is the most abundant protein secreted by adipose tissue, but plasma concentration decreases significantly in metabolic disorders like insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus type 2, described as related changes in some bitches in diestrus. The aim of this study was to determine the expression and immunolocalization of the adiponectin system (adiponectin, and adipoR1 adipoR2) in the corpus luteum during diestrus, and correlate it to hormonal profile of 17β-estradiol and progesterone, as well as the expression of a gene target of the system, the PPAR-γ. For the study, corpora lutea were collected from 28 dogs during ovariosalpingohysterectomy on days 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 post ovulation (day zero of ovulation was considered the day when the plasma progesterone concentration reached 5ng/mL). The corpora lutea were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for adiponectin, adipoR1 and adipoR2 and mRNA expression of PPAR-γ by real-time PCR. Statistical analysis of gene expression was performed with ANOVA followed by Newman-Keuls multiple comparisons. Adiponectin positive signal was stronger during the first 20 days p.o, time of the regency of progesterone; there was a gradual adiponectin and progesterone decline after this period, coinciding with the rise of 17β-estradiol, whose peak was near the 40 days p.o. The markedly adiponectin decrease occurred after 50 days p.o. The signal of adipoR1 was markedly evident at 40 days p.o and that of adipoR2 up to 50 days p.o, declining afterwards. We observed higher expression of PPAR-γ gene at 10, 30 and 70 days p.o. These results show that adiponectin and its receptors protein expression is altered during the diestrus and that these changes may be related to hormonal changes and expression of PPAR-γ, participating in the physiological mechanism of development, maintenance, activity and luteal regression in bitches.
Corpus luteum; adiponectin; adipoR1; adipoR2; PPAR-γ
