Dietary omega-3 and -6 fatty acids affect the expression of prostaglandin E2 synthesis enzymes and receptors in mice uteri during the window of pre-implantation

Abstract Considering possible effects of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on embryo implantation more likely through PGs, we investigated effects of dietary omega-3 and -6 PUFA on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling in mice uterus during pre-implantation period. The mRNA expressions of microsomal- and cytosolic- PGE synthase (mPGES and cPGES) and protein expressions of PGE receptor 2 and 4 (EP2 and EP4) were evaluated in uterus tissues of control as well as omega 3 and omega 6 received mice at days 1–5 of pregnancy. Expression of cPGES gene was not significantly different between groups but the mPGES expression on days 4 and 5 of pregnancy in supplemented groups was higher than controls. Omega-3 significantly decreased EP2 levels on days 3 and 4, while omega-6 caused an increase on days 3–5 of pregnancy. The levels of EP4 were significantly higher in the omega-6 group than other groups on days 4 and 5 of pregnancy. Also the implantation rate was higher in omega -6 compared to omega-3 group (p = 0.006). Moreover, there were significant correlations between implantation rate with expression levels of mPGES and EP2. Our results showed negative and positive effects of respectively dietary omega-3 and -6 PUFA on PGE2 signaling and implantation rate.