Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 2 (PTGS2) in the Oviduct: Roles in Fertilization and Early Embryo Development

Abstract

The mammalian oviduct is a dynamic organ where important events such as final maturation of oocytes, transport of gametes, sperm capacitation, fertilization, embryo development, and transport take place. Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), also known as cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), is the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of prostaglandins (PGs) and plays an essential role during early pregnancy, including ovulation, fertilization, implantation, and decidualization. Even though the maternal-embryo communication originates in the oviduct, not many studies have systemically investigated PTGS2 signaling during early development. Most of the studies investigating implantation and decidualization processes in Ptgs2-/- mice employed embryo transfer into the uterus, thereby bypassing the mammalian oviduct. Consequently, an understanding of the mechanistic action as well as the regulation of PTGS2 and derived PGs in oviductal functions is far from complete. In this review, we aim to focus on the importance of PTGS2 and associated PGs signaling in the oviduct particularly in humans, farm animals, and laboratory rodents to provide a broad perspective to guide further research in this field. Specifically, we review the role of PTGS2-derived PGs in fertilization, embryo development and transport. We focus on the actions of ovarian steroid hormones on PTGS2 regulation in the oviduct. Understanding of cellular PTGS2 function during early embryo development and transport in the oviduct will be an important step toward a better understanding of reproduction and may have potential implication in the assisted reproductive technology.

The analysis of bioinformatics uncovers the interaction genes and immune connection between the fracture and CRPS

“…ITGAM is involved in the activation of macrophages, it is associated with various adhesion interactions of granulocytes, macrophages, and monocytes, and mediates the uptake of complement-coated granules and pathogens [22]. In ammation is markedly in uenced by prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), also known as cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) [23]. The activation of COX-2 can stimulate a rapid production of PG-endoperoxide and trigger an in ammatory reaction [24].…”

Gene profiling reveals the role of inflammation, abnormal uterine muscle contraction and vascularity in recurrent implantation failure

“…Most of the stimuli that induce PTGS2 are those associated with inflammation, such as TNF-α, while IL-4 presented an inhibitory impact on PTGS2 (Vane et al, 1998). For decades, PTGS2 has been widely considered to be an indispensable molecule in female reproductive process including Frontiers in Genetics frontiersin.org ovulation, fertilization, implantation and embryo development (Anamthathmakula and Winuthayanon, 2021). However, our analysis showed that there was a significant increase of PTGS2 in RIF, suggesting that the over expression of PTGS2 may also be unfavorable for implantation.…”

Shuttle Transfer of mRNA Transcripts via Extracellular Vesicles From Male Reproductive Tract Cells to the Cumulus–Oocyte Complex in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

“…It has two isoforms, PTGS1 and PGTS2 , and is considered the committed enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins; it is also involved in the synthesis of other eicosanoids ( 92 ). This enzyme plays an important role in early pregnancy, which includes cumulus expansion, ovulation, fertilization and implantation, and decidualization ( 48 ).…”