Function of uterine and blood-derived polymorphonuclear neutrophils in mares susceptible and resistant to chronic uterine infection: phagocytosis and chemotaxis.
Abstract: In vitro phagocytosis and chemotaxis of uterine and blood-derived polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) were compared in mares with different resistance to chronic uterine infection (CUI). Both the primary in vitro function of PMNs and the role of uterine environmental factors on PMN function were investigated. The uteri of mares susceptible to (n = 6) and resistant to CUI (n = 5) were inoculated with 5 x 10(6) Streptococcus zooepidemicus when the mares were in estrus. Uterine secretions in addition to uterine and blood-derived PMNs were sampled at 5 and 24 h later. During a subsequent estrus, bacterial inoculation of the uterus was repeated, and samples were removed from the mares 12 and 36 h later. Neither the phagocytic nor the chemotactic capacity of PMNs changed over time in any of the groups. However, chemoattractive properties of uterine secretions declined over time in both resistant (p < 0.0007) and susceptible mares (p < 0.01). Significantly higher phagocytosis (p < 0.03) and chemotaxis (p < 0.05) by uterine derived PMNs were found in the susceptible mares compared to resistant mares when a standardized opsonin (pooled plasma) was used. However, uterine secretions from susceptible mares demonstrated a poorer opsonizing capacity (p < 0.00002) but were more chemoattractant (p < 0.004) than secretions from resistant mares. When opsonins and chemoattractants were provided by plasma, no differences were detected in phagocytosis between blood-derived and uterine PMNs. In contrast, chemotaxis of uterine PMNs were superior to blood-derived PMNs in both resistant (p < 0.007) and susceptible mares (p < 0.0001) under these conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1993-09-01 PubMed ID: 8399843DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod49.3.507Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The study investigates the role and behavior of certain white blood cells in horses with varying resistance to chronic uterine infection (CUI), in relation to the condition’s development and progression.
Objective and Methodology
- This study compared the behavior of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), a type of white blood cell, in horses that are susceptible and resistant to chronic uterine infection (CUI).
- The scientists studied both the basic function of PMNs and the effect of uterine environmental factors on the PMNs.
- The uteri of resistant and susceptible horses were intentionally infected with Streptococcus zooepidemicus, a bacteria, during estrus (the horse’s reproductive cycle).
- Subsequent samples of PMNs and uterine secretions were taken at various intervals.
Key Findings
- Neither the cell-eating (phagocytic) nor the cell-moving (chemotactic) abilities of the PMNs changed over time in any of the groups.
- The ability of the uterine secretions to attract PMNs (chemoattraction) decreased over time in all horses, regardless of their susceptibility to CUI.
- Interestingly, the PMNs from the susceptible horses showed significantly higher phagocytosis (ability to eat cells) and chemotaxis (ability to move) when the opsonin (plasma used to enhance phagocytosis) was standardized.
- However, the uterine secretions from susceptible horses had a lower opsonizing capacity (ability to help PMNs eat cells), but were more chemoattractant (ability to attract PMNs) than those from resistant horses.
- When plasma provided opsonins and chemoattractants, no significant differences were observed in phagocytosis between PMNs from the blood and those from the uterus. On the other hand, the PMNs from the uterus showed superior chemotaxis to those from the blood under these conditions.
Conclusion
- Overall, the study highlights the complex interaction of the horse’s immune system, specifically PMNs, within the uterine environment in response to infection, and pinpoints key differences between horses resistant and susceptible to CUI.
Cite This Article
APA
Troedsson MH, Liu IK, Thurmond M.
(1993).
Function of uterine and blood-derived polymorphonuclear neutrophils in mares susceptible and resistant to chronic uterine infection: phagocytosis and chemotaxis.
Biol Reprod, 49(3), 507-514.
https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod49.3.507 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood
- Chemotaxis, Leukocyte
- Chronic Disease
- Female
- Horses
- Immunity, Innate
- Neutrophils / immunology
- Opsonin Proteins
- Phagocytosis
- Streptococcal Infections / immunology
- Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
- Uterine Diseases / immunology
- Uterine Diseases / veterinary
- Uterus / immunology
- Uterus / metabolism
- Uterus / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Amaral A, Cebola N, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Rebordão MR, Kordowitzki P, Skarzynski D, Ferreira-Dias G. Inhibition of Myeloperoxidase Pro-Fibrotic Effect by Noscapine in Equine Endometrium. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Feb 10;24(4).
- Amaral A, Fernandes C, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Lukasik K, Rebordão MR, Pinto-Bravo P, Skarzynski DJ, Ferreira-Dias G. The Inhibitory Effect of Noscapine on the In Vitro Cathepsin G-Induced Collagen Expression in Equine Endometrium. Life (Basel) 2021 Oct 19;11(10).
- Amaral A, Fernandes C, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Rebordão MR, Skarzynski DJ, Ferreira-Dias G. Noscapine Acts as a Protease Inhibitor of In Vitro Elastase-Induced Collagen Deposition in Equine Endometrium. Int J Mol Sci 2021 May 19;22(10).
- Amaral A, Fernandes C, Rebordão MR, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Lukasik K, Pinto-Bravo P, Telo da Gama L, Jan Skarzynski D, Ferreira-Dias G. Myeloperoxidase Inhibition Decreases the Expression of Collagen and Metallopeptidase in Mare Endometria under In Vitro Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 16;11(1).
- Amaral A, Fernandes C, Rebordão MR, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Lukasik K, Gawronska-Kozak B, Telo da Gama L, Skarzynski DJ, Ferreira-Dias G. The In Vitro Inhibitory Effect of Sivelestat on Elastase Induced Collagen and Metallopeptidase Expression in Equine Endometrium. Animals (Basel) 2020 May 16;10(5).
- Marth CD, Firestone SM, Glenton LY, Browning GF, Young ND, Krekeler N. Oestrous cycle-dependent equine uterine immune response to induced infectious endometritis. Vet Res 2016 Nov 8;47(1):110.
- Christoffersen M, Woodward E, Bojesen AM, Jacobsen S, Petersen MR, Troedsson MH, Lehn-Jensen H. Inflammatory responses to induced infectious endometritis in mares resistant or susceptible to persistent endometritis. BMC Vet Res 2012 Mar 29;8:41.
- Vallejo-Soto P, Dorado J, Herrera-García R, Álvarez-Delgado C, Gómez-Laguna J, Santiago Á, Manrique M, González Ariza A, León Jurado JM, Hidalgo M, Ortiz I. Histomorphometric Analysis of the Endometrium of Jennies (Equus asinus) and Mares (Equus caballus) in Estrus: Anatomical Differences and Possible Reproductive Implications. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 4;16(1).
- Satué K, La Fauci D, Medica P, Damiá Gímenez E, Cravana C, Fazio E. Shifts between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory profiles in pregnant mares: a review of physiological functions. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1660759.
- Werle J, Nunes GT, Machado CS, Silva CBD, Vogel FSF, Vargas APC, Cargnelutti JF. Characterization of Corynebacterium uterequi isolates from mares in Brazil. Braz J Microbiol 2025 Sep;56(3):2111-2119.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
