Hemodynamic changes in cytokines, chemokines, acute phase proteins and prostaglandins in mares with subclinical endometritis.

The study explored the immune responses in horses that could be linked to a condition known as subclinical endometritis, which causes failed pregnancies or loss of embryos, even in seemingly healthy animals. It specifically focused on several biochemical markers in the blood and how their levels differ in healthy horses and those suffering from the condition.

Objective of Study and Methodology

• The primary goal of this research was to investigate systemic immune responses (internal defense mechanism of the body) in mares that may be associated with a condition called subclinical endometritis. This condition might be responsible for failed pregnancies or embryonic loss in mares that seem healthy.
• Researchers measured serum concentrations of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF), chemokines (IL-8), an acute phase protein (SAA), and plasma concentrations of prostaglandins (PGF and PGE) in horses, using a reliable procedure called enzyme linked immunoassays.
• The study subjects were mixed-breed mares with known reproductive histories. They were categorized into three groups based on an endometrial cytological examination: those that were healthy (control group), those with chronic endometritis (ChE), and those with subacute suppurative endometritis (SSE) – both types of subclinical endometritis.

Key Findings

• Increased levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and plasma PGF were found in mares with subacute suppurative endometritis compared to the healthy mares.
• In the mares with chronic endometritis, elevated concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 were present compared to the healthy group. Interestingly, serum SAA and plasma PGE were higher in healthy mares than in those with chronic and subacute endometritis.

Conclusions

• The researchers concluded that the development of serum testing for these biochemical markers shows promise in further understanding subclinical endometritis in mares.
• However, none of the individual biomarkers studied, except for IL-8, could effectively predict the condition. However, the ratios of IL-6:IL-10, IL-6:TNF, and plasma PGE:PGF might potentially provide a novel diagnostic marker for this chronic condition.

Overall, these observations paint a complex picture of the biological response in mares with subclinical endometritis and provide researchers with potential leads to follow in the quest to develop reliable diagnostic markers and treatments for this condition.