Alterations in systemic concentrations of progesterone during the early luteal phase affect RBP4 expression in the bovine uterus

Systemic progesterone affects the timing and duration of uterine endometrial gene and protein expression and has significant effects on conceptus development. The objective of the present study was to examine how changes in progesterone concentrations during the early luteal phase affect retinol-binding protein (RBP4) mRNA and protein concentrations in the uterus. Endometrial tissue and uterine flushings were recovered on Days 7 and 13 of the oestrous cycle in heifers with high, normal and low progesterone concentrations. RBP4 mRNA and protein concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) on Day 13 compared with Day 7 in heifers with high and control progesterone concentrations. However, there was no difference in RBP4 protein concentrations between Days 7 and 13 in heifers with low progesterone (P > 0.05). On Day 7, although heifers with low progesterone had lower RBP4 mRNA expression compared with controls (P < 0.05) there was no difference in protein concentrations between treatment groups. On Day 13, RBP4 mRNA was 2-fold higher (P < 0.001) in heifers with high and control progesterone compared with their low-progesterone counter-parts and RBP4 protein concentrations were over 2-fold higher (P < 0.001) in heifers with high compared to low progesterone. In conclusion, progesterone modulates uterine RBP4 mRNA and protein abundance in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.