Background: The role of prostaglandins (PGs) in embryo implantation can be influenced by polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation.
Objective: Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary omega-3 and -6 fatty acids on uterine PGs and their relevant receptors during the pre-implantation period in mice.
Materials and Methods: Twenty female mice were randomly divided into three groups and fed a standard pellet (control group), standard pellet +10% (w/w) fish oil, and +10% (w/w) soybean oil. The uterine levels of PGI2, PGD2, and PGF2α, the mRNA expression of PG I, D, and F synthesis enzymes (PGIS, PGDS, and PGFS, respectively), and protein expression of their receptors (PI, PD, and PF, respectively) were evaluated in uterine tissues of all treated groups at days 1-5 of pregnancy.
Results: Our results showed that the uterine levels of PGI2, PGD2, and PGF2α and expression of their synthesis enzymes were markedly high on the 5th day of pregnancy, while protein expression showed significant elevation only for PF and PI during this day (p < 0.05). Omega-6 significantly raised uterine levels of all three PGs on the fifth day of pregnancy compared to mice received omega-3 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the omega-6 group showed higher expression of PGDS and PGFS than the omega-3-supplemented group on days 5 and 4 of pregnancy, respectively. In addition, we found positive correlations between the implantation rate and expression levels of PGIS, PGFS, IP, and FP and the PGI2 uterine levels.
Conclusion: Our study showed the positive effect of omega-6 PUFA supplementation on PGFS and PGDS expression together with the uterine levels of PGI2, PGD2, and PGF2α which makes PGs status as a possible indicator of successful implantation.