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Theriogenology2008; 70(5); 843-851; doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.04.054

Influence of different semen extenders and seminal plasma on PMN migration and on expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and COX-2 mRNA in the equine endometrium.

Abstract: After artificial insemination or mating an inflammatory response is induced by spermatozoa and components of the inseminate or ejaculate. In order to investigate the inflammatory reaction of the endometrium to different semen extenders, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), seminal plasma (SP), skim milk-based extender (SM) or egg yolk semen extender (EY) was inoculated into the uterus of oestrous mares (n=8) during four consecutive cycles in alternating order. Twelve hours after treatment, a uterine lavage was performed and an endometrial biopsy was taken. An additional biopsy was taken in the oestrous cycle before experiments were started. No differences in volume, pH, specific density or cell count of lavage fluid were found between the treatments. A significantly (p<0.01) lower number of leukocytes in the endometrium was identified in pre-experiment biopsies (68+/-5 leukocytes per field) compared to PBS (154+/-32), SP (175+/-22), SM (193+/-29) and EY treatments (113+/-17). PMN numbers were lower (p<0.01) after infusion of EY (23+/-10) compared to PBS (59+/-21) and SM extender (69+/-21). The number of eosinophils increased after inoculation of SP (p<0.05 vs. PBS, SM and EY). All treatments increased expression of interleukins (IL)-1beta and 6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and cyclooxgygenase-2 (COX-2) in the endometrium compared to pre-experiment values. Expression of COX-2 mRNA was significantly higher after infusion of SM than after PBS treatment (p<0.04). In conclusion, extender alone as well as seminal plasma and PBS causes an inflammatory endometrial response with the least pronounced response induced by EY-based semen extender.
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Publication Date: 2008-06-27 PubMed ID: 18584861DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.04.054Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research article explores how different substances used to preserve sperm (semen extenders) and seminal plasma induce an inflammatory response in the horse’s endometrium after artificial insemination or mating. The study reveals that all treatments increased endometrial inflammatory responses, with egg yolk-based semen extenders causing the least pronounced response.

Materials and Methods

  • The research team worked with oestrous mares (females in heat) and introduced different semen extenders: phosphate buffered saline (PBS), seminal plasma (SP), skim milk-based extender (SM), or an egg yolk semen extender (EY) into the uterus.
  • This was carried out in four consistent cycles in an alternating sequence.
  • Right after 12 hours of each treatment, an endometrial biopsy was obtained, using uterine lavage (a washout) method. An additional biopsy was taken before the beginning of the experiments for comparison purposes.
  • The researchers showed no notable changes in the volume, pH, specific density, or cell count of the lavage fluid through the different treatments.

Findings and Results

  • The results demonstrated a significantly lower number of leukocytes (white blood cells that fight infections) in the endometrium in the biopsies taken before the experiments (68+/-5 leukocytes per field) when compared to PBS (154+/-32), SP (175+/-22), SM (193+/-29), and EY treatments (113+/-17).
  • Meanwhile, the numbers of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN, a type of immune cell) were found to be comparatively lower after the infusion of EY (23+/-10) when compared to PBS (59+/-21) and SM extender (69+/-21).
  • The study also observed an increase in the number of eosinophils (a type of disease-fighting white blood cell) after the inoculation of SP.
  • All treatments increased the expression of interleukins (IL)-1beta and 6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and cyclooxgygenase-2 (COX-2) in the endometrium compared to pre-experiment values.
  • Notably, the expression of COX-2 mRNA was significantly higher after the infusion of SM than after PBS treatment.

Conclusion

  • In conclusion, all the treatments including different extenders, seminal plasma, and PBS, resulted in an inflammatory endometrial response.
  • Out of all treatments, the egg yolk-based semen extender (EY) appeared to provoke the least severe inflammatory response, indicating it may be the more favorable option for artificial insemination in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Palm F, Walter I, Budik S, Kolodziejek J, Nowotny N, Aurich C. (2008). Influence of different semen extenders and seminal plasma on PMN migration and on expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and COX-2 mRNA in the equine endometrium. Theriogenology, 70(5), 843-851. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.04.054

Publication

Theriogenology
ISSN: 0093-691X
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 70
Issue: 5
Pages: 843-851

Researcher Affiliations

Palm, F
  • Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Animal Breeding and Reproduction, University for Veterinary Sciences, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
Walter, I
    Budik, S
      Kolodziejek, J
        Nowotny, N
          Aurich, C

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
            • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
            • Endometrium / metabolism
            • Female
            • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
            • Horses / metabolism
            • Interleukin-1beta / genetics
            • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
            • Interleukin-6 / genetics
            • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
            • Male
            • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
            • Semen
            • Semen Preservation / methods
            • Semen Preservation / veterinary
            • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
            • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

            Citations

            This article has been cited 11 times.
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              doi: 10.3390/ijms21041432pubmed: 32093296google scholar: lookup
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