Research

Growth-differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) in the uterus: its identification and functional significance in the golden hamster

Chun Lung Wong¹ , Ya Yu Huang¹ , Wing Kei Ho¹ , Hong Kit Poon¹ , Pui Lai Cheung² , Wai Sum O² and Pak Ham Chow¹

¹  School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, PR China

²  Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, PR China

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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2009, 7:134doi:10.1186/1477-7827-7-134

Published:	25 November 2009

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-beta superfamily regulates many aspects of reproduction in the female. We identified a novel member of this family, growth-differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8) in the 72 h post coital uterine fluid of the golden hamster by proteomic techniques. Uterine GDF-8 mRNA decreased as pregnancy progressed while its active protein peaked at 72 h post coitus (hpc) and thereafter stayed at a lower level. At 72 hpc, the GDF-8 transcript was localized to the endometrial epithelium while its protein accumulated in the stroma. Exogenous GDF-8 slowed down proliferation of primary cultures of uterine smooth muscle cells (SMC) and endometrial epithelial cells (EEC). In addition, GDF-8 attenuated the release of LIF (leukaemia inhibiting factor) by EEC. As for the embryo in culture, GDF-8 promoted proliferation of the trophotoderm (TM) and hatching but discouraged attachment. Our study suggests that GDF-8 could regulate the behavior of preimplantation embryos and fine-tune the physiology of uterine environment during pregnancy.