Immunoglobulin (IgG and IgA) and complement (C3) concentrations in uterine secretion following an intrauterine challenge of Streptococcus zooepidemicus in mares susceptible to versus resistant to chronic uterine infection.
Abstract: The validity of measuring concentrations of immunoglobulins in undiluted uterine secretions was established. The concentrations of IgG, IgA, and cleavage factor C3 of the complement system in uterine secretions were compared in mares with different resistance to chronic uterine infection (CUI). The uteri of mares susceptible (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 were sampled, and sampling was immediately followed by a uterine lavage at 5 and 24 h after bacterial inoculation. During a subsequent estrus, bacterial inoculation of the uterus was repeated, and samples were taken from the mares 12 and 36 h later. The fraction of uterine secretion in each uterine washing was determined by dividing the protein concentration of the undiluted uterine secretion by the protein concentration of the corresponding uterine washing. There was a significant correlation between measured concentrations of immunoglobulins in uterine secretions and calculated concentrations in the uterine washings (p < 0.05). Concentrations of IgG and C3 in uterine secretions declined similarly in both susceptible and resistant mares during the first 24 h after bacterial inoculation (p < 0.04). In contrast to the susceptible group, which showed a continuous decline at 36 h, resistant mares demonstrated an increased concentration of both IgG and C3 at this time. Concentrations of IgA did not differ between susceptible and resistant mares. It was concluded that the described method of sampling uterine secretions was useful for analyzing IgG and IgA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1993-09-01 PubMed ID: 8399842DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod49.3.502Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study investigates the levels of certain immune system components in horses who are either susceptible or resistant to chronic uterine infection after exposure to Streptococcus zooepidemicus bacteria.
Research Context and Method
- The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the concentrations of immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA) and cleavage factor C3 – components of the immune system – present in uterine secretions of mares (female horses) resistant and susceptible to chronic uterine infections.
- Susceptibility was determined by inoculating each group of mares with a known bacterium that causes uterine infection, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, during their estrus cycle – the period in the reproductive cycle when the female is receptive to mating and can conceive.
- Uterine secretions were collected from the mares at different time frames post-inoculation. The sampling was undertaken immediately followed by uterine lavage – a cleansing method for the uterus – at the 5th and 24th hour after the bacterium was introduced. Another set of samples were collected at the 12th and 36th hour during a subsequent estrus cycle.
Findings of the Research
- The researchers found a significant correlation between measured concentrations of immunoglobulins in uterine secretions and calculated concentrations in post-lavage uterine washings. This suggests that concentrations in these secretions provide a valid measure of immunoglobulin response to infection in the uterus.
- The study also found that the levels of IgG, an important antibody in the immune system’s response to infection, and cleavage factor C3, a part of the complement system that aids in clearing microbes and damaged cells from an organism, decreased in both groups of mares during the first 24 hours after the bacterial inoculation.
- However, notable differences were observed past the 24-hour mark: while the susceptible group showed a continuous decline in IgG and C3 concentrations, the resistant group demonstrated increased concentrations of these components at the 36-hour mark, indicating an active immune response.
- The study found no significant variation in the concentration of IgA, another type of antibody, between the susceptible and resistant mares.
Conclusions of the Research
- Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that the method of sampling uterine secretions can be effectively used for analyzing the presence and concentration of IgG and IgA in the context of uterine infections.
- The differences found in the immune response in resistant and susceptible mares would help in understanding the mechanism of resistance, helping to frame better treatment and prevention strategies for chronic uterine infections.
Cite This Article
APA
Troedsson MH, Liu IK, Thurmond M.
(1993).
Immunoglobulin (IgG and IgA) and complement (C3) concentrations in uterine secretion following an intrauterine challenge of Streptococcus zooepidemicus in mares susceptible to versus resistant to chronic uterine infection.
Biol Reprod, 49(3), 502-506.
https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod49.3.502 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Chronic Disease
- Complement C3 / metabolism
- Female
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses
- Immunity, Innate
- Immunoglobulin A / metabolism
- Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
- Immunoglobulins / metabolism
- Streptococcal Infections / immunology
- Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
- Therapeutic Irrigation
- Uterine Diseases / immunology
- Uterine Diseases / veterinary
- Uterus / immunology
- Uterus / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Canisso IF, Segabinazzi LGTM, Fedorka CE. Persistent Breeding-Induced Endometritis in Mares - a Multifaceted Challenge: From Clinical Aspects to Immunopathogenesis and Pathobiology.. Int J Mol Sci 2020 Feb 20;21(4).
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