Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and its receptor in the corpus luteum of pregnant cows

The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of tumor necros is factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA and TNF-alpha receptors in the bovine corpus lut eum (CL) during the gestation period. TNF-alpha mRNA and TNF-alpha receptor s were determined on bovine CL from pregnant cows at three stages: trimeste r I (fetal crown-rump length; 6-20 cm), trimester II (25-45 cm) and trimest er III (50-80 cm). TNF-alpha mRNA was detected by an RT-PCR analysis in the CL of all stages of gestation. A Scatchard analysis revealed the presence of a high-affinity binding site (Kd; 5.1-6.9 nM) in the CL membranes collec ted at each stage of gestation. Furthermore, the concentrations of TNF-alph a receptors in the CL of trimesters I (24.0 +/- 1.95 pmol/mg protein) and I II (21.6 +/- 2.39 pmol/mg protein) of gestation were significantly higher t han the concentration in trimester II (14.9 +/- 2.07 pmol/mg protein) (P < 0.05). These results indicate that TNF-alpha is locally produced and that T NF-alpha receptors are present in bovine CL during the gestation period, an d suggest that TNF-alpha plays one or more roles as a paracrine factor in r egulating bovine CL function during the entire gestation period. Mol. Repro d. Dev. 55:406-411, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.