Calcium potentiates the effect of estradiol on PGF2α production in the bovine endometrium

BACKGROUND: Estradiol (E(2)) is required for luteolysis in cows and its injection stimulates prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) release. The main goal of our study was to investigate the ability of endometrial explants and cells treated with E(2) and the calcium ionophore (CI) A23187 to synthesize PGF2α. RESULTS: Treatment with E(2)in vivo resulted in a 48.4% increase of PGF2α production by endometrial explants treated in vitro with A23187. Production of PGF2α was better stimulated with A23187 at concentrations of 10(-6) and 10(-5) mol/L compared with other concentrations used. The concentration of PGF2α for untreated bovine endometrial cell cultures was 33.1 pg/mL, while for cultures treated with E(2), A23187, or a combination of E(2) and A23187, the PGF2α concentration was 32.5, 92.4 and 145.6 pg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with A23187 tended to stimulate PGF2α production. In the presence of E2, A23187 significantly stimulated PGF2α synthesis. It appears that A23187 potentiates the effects of E(2) with respect to synthesis of endometrial PGF2α in cattle.