Effects of dexamethasone on progesterone and estrogen profiles and uterine progesterone receptor localization during pregnancy in Sahel goat in Semi-Arid region

Abstract

BackgroundDespite the widespread use of dexamethasone in veterinary and human medicine, it is reported to cause some severe pregnancy related side effects like abortion in some animals. The mechanism of the response is not clear but seems to be related to interspecies and/or breed difference in response which may involve alterations in the concentrations of some reproductive hormones.MethodsTwenty Sahel goats comprising 18 does and 2 bucks were used for this study. Pregnancies were achieved by natural mating after synchronization. Repeated dexamethasone injections were given at 0.25 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected biweekly for hormonal assay. Uterine biopsies were harvested at days 28 and day 78 of gestation through caesarean section for immunohistochemical analysis using 3 pregnant does randomly selected from each group at each instant. Data were expressed as Means ± Standard Deviations and analyzed using statistical soft ware package, GraphPad Instant, version 3.0 (2003) and progesterone receptor (PR) were scored semi-quantitatively.ResultsDexamethasone treatments had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on progesterone and estrogen concentrations in pregnant Sahel goats but up regulated PR from 2+ to 3+ in second trimester.ConclusionAs dexamethasone adverse effect on placenta is an established fact, the lack of effect on progesterone level in this study may be due to the fact that unlike other species whose progesterone production during pregnancy is placenta – dependent, in goats is corpus luteum - dependent. Consequently dexamethasone adverse effect on placenta reported in literatures did not influence progesterone levels during pregnancy in Sahel goat. The up regulation of progesterone receptor (PR) in Sahel goat gravid uterus is a beneficial effects and that dexamethasone can safely be used in corpus luteum – dependent progesterone secreting pregnant animal species like Sahel goat and camel. Therefore source of progesterone secretions during pregnancy should be considered in clinical application of dexamethasone in pregnancy.

Expression and clinical significance of miR-141-5p as a biomarker in the serum of patients with early spontaneous abortion

“…Studies have shown that pregnancy hormones such as β-HCG, P, and E2 are related to pregnancy maintenance. 37 Currently, β-HCG, P, and E2 have been widely used for early pregnancy diagnosis. 13 , 38 , 39 This study measured lower β-HCG, P, and E2 in ESA patients.…”

The diagnostic value of transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography plus serum β-HCG dynamic monitoring in intrauterine residue after medical abortion

“…[ 24 – 27 ] According to pertinent investigation, after medical abortion, pregnant woman’ body has undergone major changes physiologically, the central nervous system, gene and metabolic levels have decreased sensibly, and the serum estrogen and progesterone levels have also minified accordingly. [ 28 ] Honkanenet al found that the decline in β-HCG after a medically induced abortion is inversely correlated with the time taken to abort, Which means the absolute and the relative values of β-HCG as well as the ET after medical abortion were higher in women who turned out to be late failures than in successfully treated women. [ 29 ] Additionally, Cleeve A et alhave corroborated that the decrease range of serum estrogen and progesterone levels of some pregnant women with intrauterine residue after medical abortion is notably lower than that of pregnant women with complete abortion.…”

Expression of TGF-β1 and miR-99a in serum of patients with early spontaneous abortion and correlation with hormone levels during pregnancy

“…Immune factors and endocrine hormone imbalance during pregnancy are important causes of early spontaneous abortion, accounting for 48–59% of them (6). Hormones during pregnancy such as β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG), progesterone and estrogen all play important roles in maintaining pregnancy (7,8).…”