Evaluation of changes in the expression of Wnt/β-catenin target genes in mouse reproductive tissuesduring estrous cycle: An experimental study

Background: The Wingless-type (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling pathway controls cellhomeostasis. Reproductive tissues are dynamic in response to steroidal hormonechanges. Steroidal hormones are known to control the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, buttheir role in reproductive tissues remains unknown.Objective: The present study aims to investigate the expression patterns of Wnt/β-catenin target genes in mouse reproductive tissues during the normal estrous cycle.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 16 adult NMRI mice weregrouped as proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus according to vaginal smear andhistological evaluation of uterine and ovarian tissues. Uterine horns and ovariantissues were collected. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reactionwas performed to evaluate the expression of Wnt/β-catenin target genes (Myc2,Ppard, Id2, Birc5, and Ascl2) at different stages of the estrous cycle.Results: The expression levels of Id2, Ascl2, and Pprd in uterine tissue weresignificantly higher at the proestrus phase than at the other stages. Meanwhile, Birc5expression in uterine tissue was significantly higher at the metestrus stage than at theother stages. Furthermore, Myc2 expression was significantly higher at the diestrusstage than at the estrus and metestrus stages. In the ovarian tissue, the highestexpression of Id2, Ascl2, and Birc5 was detected at the proestrus stage, whereas thehighest expression of Myc2 and Ppard was observed at the estrus stage.Conclusion: This study showed that Wnt/β-catenin target genes profiles aredifferent among estrous cycle. It seems that different hormonal profiles duringestrous cycles play a key role in the expression pattern of Wnt/β-catenin target genesin ovarian and uterine tissue.

Keywords:

Wnt signaling pathway , Beta catenin , Estrous cycle , Mice