Influence of age and parity on the distribution of cells expressing major histocompatibility complex class II, CD4, or CD8 molecules in the endometrium of mares during estrus.
Abstract: To evaluate effect of age and parity on distribution and number of cells expressing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, CD4, or CD8 molecules in the endometrium of mares during estrus. Methods: 32 gynecologically healthy mares, categorized as young (3 to 8 years; n = 17) or old (9 to 16 years; 15) and nulliparous (n = 6), nulliparous embryo donors (16), or parous (10). Methods: Endometrial specimens collected from the uterine body and horns during estrus were stained by use of the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method, using monoclonal antibodies against equine MHC class II, CD4, and CD8 molecules. Labeled cells in the stratum compactum within 5 randomly selected fields at 400x magnification (total area = 0.31 mm2) were counted, and numbers were compared among groups and between locations. Results: Age did not affect cell numbers within the 3 cell subsets examined. Numbers in each subset were higher in the uterine body than in the horns, although the difference was not significant for cells expressing MHC class II. Significantly more cells expressing MHC class II molecules were detected in the uterine body of nulliparous and parous mares than in embryo donors, whereas in the horns, these cells were significantly higher in number only in parous mares. Parity did not affect number of CD4+ or CD8+ cells. Conclusions: The increased likelihood for endometritis to develop in mares as they age cannot be explained by a decrease in number of cells expressing MHC class II, CD4, or CD8 molecules within the endometrium. However, greater number of cells within these 3 subsets detected in the uterine body, compared with the horns, during estrus suggests a local readiness to act against microorganisms or semen introduced during mating or insemination.
Publication Date: 2000-01-06 PubMed ID: 10622163
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research study examined the influence of age and the number of times a mare has given birth on the distribution of immune system cells in the lining of the womb during the estrus cycle.
Objective of the Research
- The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of age and the number of births a mare has had, on the distribution and number of specific types of immune system cells in the womb’s lining during estrus, the period of sexual receptivity in female horses. These immune cells are known to express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, CD4, and CD8 molecules.
Methods
- The study involved 32 healthy mares grouped by age (young: 3 to 8 years; old: 9 to 16 years) and by parity (nulliparous: mares which have never given birth, embryo donors, and parous: mares that have given birth).
- Endometrial samples were collected from the uterine body and horns during the estrus phase and stained to visualize cells expressing MHC class II, CD4, and CD8 molecules.
- The number of labeled immune cells in different regions of the uterus were counted under a microscope, and these numbers were compared across different groups and locations.
Key Findings
- The study found that age did not affect the number of immune cells in the samples.
- There were more immune cells in the uterus body than in the horns. However, this difference was not significant for cells expressing MHC class II.
- Nulliparous and previously pregnant mares had more cells expressing MHC class II molecules in the uterine body compared to embryo donors. In the horns, these cells were higher only in previously pregnant mares.
- The number of births a mare had did not influence the number of CD4 or CD8 immune cells.
Conclusions
- The study concludes that age- or maternity-related predisposition to womb infection in mares cannot be explained solely by a decrease in the number of immune cells expressing MHC class II, CD4, or CD8 in the lining of the womb.
- However, the greater number of these cells in the uterine body compared to the horns during estrus suggests a localized readiness to fight off foreign organisms or semen introduced during mating or artificial insemination.
Cite This Article
APA
Tunón AM, Rodríguez-Martínez H, Nummijärvi A, Magnusson U.
(2000).
Influence of age and parity on the distribution of cells expressing major histocompatibility complex class II, CD4, or CD8 molecules in the endometrium of mares during estrus.
Am J Vet Res, 60(12), 1531-1535.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- CD4 Antigens / biosynthesis
- CD8 Antigens / biosynthesis
- Cell Count
- Endometrium / metabolism
- Estrus
- Female
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / biosynthesis
- Horses / immunology
- Horses / metabolism
- Parity
- Video-Assisted Surgery
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