Dynamic in vivo changes in the activities of gelatinases, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) uterine luminal fluid during estrous cycle and early pregnancy.

In ruminants, the phenomenon of endometrial tissue remodeling during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy is not fully understood. In this report, the occurrence of tissue remodeling, if any, in buffalo endometrium was studied by detecting gelatinases, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs); the key regulators of tissue remodeling, in uterine luminal fluids (ULF) of cycling and early pregnant (approx. 43-65 days) buffaloes. Each stage of the estrous cycle and pregnant ULF demonstrated a unique profile of gelatinase activities compared to serum/follicular fluid, with a major gelatinase band of 60 kDa with highest activity in early-luteal stage. In addition to a 32 kDa uterus-specific gelatinase band detected in both non-pregnant and pregnant ULFs, the pregnant ULF displayed three new gelatinase bands of 86, 78, and 57 kDa. Western blot technique confirmed the presence of MMP-2 (54 kDa), MMP-9 (76/73 kDa), TIMP-1 (32 kDa), TIMP-2(20 kDa), and two molecular weight forms (31 and 22 kDa) of TIMP-3 in buffalo ULF with varying band intensities. Highest MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were observed in follicular and early-luteal stage ULFs, respectively. Highest TIMP-1 activity was observed in early-luteal ULF. Interestingly, TIMP-2 activity was only detected in mid-luteal, late-luteal, and follicular stage ULFs with significantly increasing intensities. Highest activities of 31 and 22 kDa TIMP-3 were associated with late-luteal and early-luteal stage ULFs, respectively. The varied activities of MMPs and TIMPs in buffalo ULF during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy might be a reflection of dynamic structural remodeling of the endometrium and/or developing conceptus.