Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are mainly involved in follicle development and ovulation, but FSH receptor (FSHR) and LH receptor (LHR) are also expressed in the immune system. Nevertheless, it is not clear if gestation affects the expression of the FSHR and LHR in the maternal main immune organs (thymus, lymph node, spleen, and liver). In this study, these organs were sampled from the ewes at the estrous cycle, and during early pregnancy, and mRNA and protein expression of FSHR and LHR were analyzed. The results showed that early pregnancy downregulated mRNA and protein expression of FSHR and LHR in the liver, the FSHR in the thymus and lymph nodes, but upregulated mRNA and protein expression of FSHR in the spleen, and LHR in lymph nodes. In addition, mRNA and protein expression of LHR in the thymus and spleen was changed, which is reported for the first time at present. In summary, early pregnancy regulates the expression of FSHR and LHR in the maternal immune organs, which may be involved in the modulation of maternal immune function, and necessary for pregnancy maintenance in ewes.
Keywords: Follicle-stimulating hormone; Immune organ; Luteinizing hormone; Pregnancy; Sheep.
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