The influence of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) on the secretory function of bovine corpus luteum: TNF and its receptors expression during the estrous cycle

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) inversely regulates the function of bovine corpus luteum (CL). Whereas the low doses of TNF induce luteolysis, the high doses prolong CL lifespan and prevent luteolysis in vivo. We suggest that the varying effects of TNF may be caused by its action exerted on CL via multiple signaling pathways involving two distinct receptors: TNFR-I (responsible for induction of the cell death) and TNFR-If (implicated in cell proliferation). In the study, we determined CL expressions of TNF, TNFR-I and TNFR-II mRNAs during the bovine estrous cycle using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Specific transcripts for TNF, TNFR-I and TNFR-II were found in the CL with the highest (p<0.05) expression in the regressed CL. We also examined the TNF influence on the bovine CL function in vivo. On Day 15 of the estrous cycle, cows were infused (via aorta abdominalis) with saline, TNF (1 or 10 mu g) or analogue of prostaglandin (PG)F-2 alpha (aPGF(2 alpha), 500 mu g; a positive control). Four hours after infusions, CLs were collected by colpotomy and luteal contents of progesterone (P-4), stable metabolites of nitric oxide (NO; nitrite/nitrate), leukotriene (LT)C-4 luteolytic PGF(2 alpha),and luteotropic PGE(2) were determined. Moreover, caspase-3 activity was measured in the CLs as an indicator of apoptosis induction. The luteal content of P-4 decreased (p<0.05) after infusion of 1 mu g of TNF. TNF inversely affected PGS content in CL: the low dose increased (p<0.01) the PGF(2 alpha) level and the high dose increased (p<0.05) PGE(2) level. Contents of LTC4 and nitrite/nitrate increased (p<0.01) after the low dose of TNF. Moreover, 1 mu g of TNF induced apoptosis and increased (p<0.05) caspase-3 activity in the CLs collected during the late luteal phase. In conclusion, the high expressions of TNF and TNF receptors mRNAs were observed during or just after the luteolysis. A low concentration of TNF stimulated in vivo luteolytic factors such as PGF(2 alpha), LTC4 and NO as well as induced apoptosis; whereas the high concentration of TNF stimulated a survival pathway in the bovine CL increasing luteal content of P-4 and PGE(2). Reproductive Biology 2008 8 3:245-262.