Analyzing the effects of growth factors and extracellular matrix on gene expression in three-dimensional cultured bovine uterine gland fragments

Here, we report the effects of growth factors and ECM on the gene expression profiles of three-dimensionally (3D) cultured bovine uterine gland fragments. Bovine uterine gland fragments cultured in Matrigel (M) in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) exhibited altered expression of genes associated with cell proliferation and ECM ligand–receptor interactions compared with those cultured in the absence of EGF.

In contrast, under EGF-supplemented conditions, bovine uterine gland fragments cultured in Matrigel mixed with type I collagen showed minimal changes in gene expression compared with those cultured without type I collagen. Collectively, these data show that growth factors and ECM differentially influence gene expression profiles in 3D-cultured bovine uterine gland fragments, with growth factors exerting a more pronounced effect than ECM.