The impact of flutamide on prostaglandin F2α synthase and prostaglandin F2α receptor expression, and prostaglandin F2α concentration in the porcine corpus luteum of pregnancy

Recently, we have indicated that flutamide-induced androgen deficiency diminished progesterone production in the porcine corpus luteum (CL) during late pregnancy and before parturition, as a sign of functional luteolysis. In pigs, the main luteolytic factor is prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), which acts via specific receptors (PTGFRs), and its biosynthesis is catalyzed by prostaglandin F2α synthase (PGFS). The present study investigated the impact of flutamide on luteal PGFS and PTGFR expression, as well as intraluteal PGF2α content during pregnancy in pigs. Flutamide (50 mg/kg BW per day, for 7 d) or corn oil (control groups) were administered subcutaneously into pregnant gilts (n = 3 per group) between 83 and 89 (GD90) or 101-107 (GD108) days of gestation (GD). On GD90 and GD108 ovaries were collected and CLs were obtained. Real-time PCR and Western blot analyses were conducted to quantify PGFS and PTGFR mRNA and protein expression, respectively. In addition, immunohistochemical localization of both proteins was performed and the concentration of PGF2α was analyzed by enzyme immunoassay method. Flutamide caused upregulation of PGFS mRNA and protein in GD90F (P = 0.008; P = 0.008, respectively) and GD108F (P = 0.041; P = 0.009, respectively) groups. The level of PTGFR mRNA increased only in the GD90F (P = 0.007) group, whereas PTGFR protein expression was greater in both gestational periods (P = 0.035; P = 0.038, respectively). On GD90 PGFS was immunolocalized in the cytoplasm of large luteal cells only, whereas on GD108, sparse small luteal cells also displayed positive staining. PTGFR showed membranous localization within large luteal cells on both days of pregnancy. In luteal tissue, PGF2α concentration was greater after flutamide exposure on both days (P = 0.041; P = 0.038, respectively), when compared with control groups. Overall, the enhanced luteal PGF2α content due to increased PGFS expression after flutamide administration might contribute to premature CL regression. Moreover, higher PTGFR protein levels indicate enhanced sensitivity of luteal cells to PGF2α under androgen deficiency.