Inhibin α-Subunit mRNA Is Expressed in the Corpus Luteum of the Pregnant Mare

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The expression of inhibin α-subunit mRNA was examined in the corpus luteum (CL) of pregnant mares. Corpora lutea were obtained from pregnant mares at 50 h, 94 h after ovulation and on 30, 60, and 90 days of pregnancy. Northern blot analysis, using a cDNA specific to equine inhibin α-subunit as a probe revealed that the expression level of its transcript continued to decline until 30 days after ovulation. However, on day 60 of pregnancy, the level increased similar to that at 94 h after ovulation. On day 90 of pregnancy, the level declined again. The expression of inhibin α-subunit mRNA in the estrous cycle CL (7 days after ovulation) was also examined but the level was moderately low. Considering that serum concentration of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) peaks at around day 60 of pregnancy, and the expression level of inhibin α-subunit in the CL of the pregnant mare also shows a peak on day 60 of pregnancy, it was suggested that, during pregnancy in equidae, the expression of inhibin α-subunit mRNA in the CL is stimulated by eCG.
日本繁殖生物学会の論文