Expression of β-defensins in bovine oviduct and uterus during follicular and luteal phases

This study was conducted to examine the expression of β-defensins of cow’s reproductive tract and their relationship with estrus cycle using quantitative PCR and ELISA methods. Six kinds of β-defensins and the receptors of estrogen and progesterone were studied in cows’ reproductive tract during the follicular and luteal phases. The results show that besides LAP, TAP, BNBD4, and BNBD5, BNBD1 and BNBD10 were also found in cow oviduct, uterine horn, and uterine body. During the follicular phase, the uterine body had the highest expressions of BNBDI, TAP, LAP1, BNBD4, and BNBD5. However, the highest expression of BNBD10 was observed in the uterine horn at the same phase. The highest expressions of BNBD1, TAP, LAP1, BNBD4, BNBD5, and BNBD10 were observed in the uterine horn during the luteal phase, while the oviduct had the least expression. A significant higher expression of BNBD1, TAP, LAP1, BNBD4, and BNBD5 was observed in the uterine horn in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase. However, BNBD10 expression of the follicular phase was significantly higher than luteal phase. Significant expression of estrogen receptor protein was observed in the uterine body, the oviduct, and the uterine horn during the follicular phase, while a significant progesterone receptor protein (PGR) expression was detected in same portions of the reproductive tract during the luteal phase. BNBD10 was found to perform key function in the uterine horn natural defense process during the follicular phase. The production of bovine uterus defensins did not influenced the expression of estrogen receptor α and progesterone receptor.