Expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors 1 (AdipoR1) and 2 (AdipoR2) in the porcine uterus during the oestrous cycle

Adiponectin is a hormone secreted primarily by white adipose tissue. Recent studies have shown that adiponectin and its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) are expressed in different reproductive tissues, including the ovary and uterus. This newly discovered endocrine system plays an important role in the regulation of reproductive processes. The expression of the adiponectin system in the porcine uterus during the oestrous cycle has not been researched to date. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence and changes in adiponectin system expression in the porcine uterus on days 2-3, 10-12, 14-16, and 17-19 of the oestrous cycle. The expression of the adiponectin gene was highest on days 14-16 and 2-3 in the endometrium and myometrium, respectively. In the endometrium, the content of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNAs was highest on days 10-12, whereas significantly higher expression levels of both genes were noted in the myometrium on days 17-19. The highest content of adiponectin and AdipoR1 protein in the endometrium was reported on days 2-3. In the myometrium, the expression levels of both receptor proteins were significantly higher on days 17-19. Adiponectin system proteins were localized in endometrial epithelial glandular cells, luminal epithelial cells and stromal cells as well as in longitudinal and circular muscles of the myometrium. This study demonstrated the presence of adiponectin, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 genes and proteins in the porcine uterus and the effect of the stage of the oestrous cycle on the expression of the adiponectin system. Our results suggest that locally synthesized adiponectin directly affects uterine functions.