The transcriptomic response of bovine uterine tissue is altered in response to sperm from high- and low-fertility bulls

Despite stringent quality control checks, some bulls with apparently normal semen quality yield lower than expected pregnancy rates. This study profiled the transcriptome and performed histological analysis of the bovine uterus in response to sperm from high-fertility (HF) and low-fertility (LF) bulls. Postmortem uterine biopsies and uterine explants were collected from heifers 12 h after a fixed time artificial insemination (AI) to a synchronized estrus with frozen-thawed semen from five HF (fertility rate 4.01% +/- 0.25) and five LF (fertility rate - 11.29% +/- 1.11; mean +/- SEM) bulls. Uterine biopsies were also collected from control (CTRL) heifers, which were not inseminated. RNA-sequencing and histological analysis were performed for differential gene expression and neutrophil quantification. In the HF treatment relative to CTRL heifers, there were 376 genes significantly differentially expressed in the endometrium with just one gene differentially expressed in the LF treatment relative to CTRL heifers. Comparing the HF and LF treatments directly, there were 40 significantly differentially expressed genes (P < 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis shows a predominant role for the inflammatory marker Interleukin-1 alpha, which was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Quantification of neutrophils in the endometrium showed a significant effect of sperm; however, there was no difference in neutrophil numbers between HF and LF groups. In conclusion, this novel study clearly shows a distinct inflammatory response to sperm in the endometrium and a divergent transcriptomic response to semen from HF and LF bulls. Summary Sentence The concept that sperm from high fertility bulls are priming the endometrium for implantation and a subsequent pregnancy merits further investigation. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

This study analyzed the transcriptome and histological changes in the bovine uterus in response to sperm from high-fertility and low-fertility bulls. The results showed that sperm from high-fertility bulls induced a significant inflammatory response and had a significant impact on gene expression in the uterus. On the other hand, sperm from low-fertility bulls did not induce a significant inflammatory response in the uterus.