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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Reprod Sci / Interaction between equine semen and the endometrium: the in...
Animal reproduction science2001; 68(3-4); 273-278; doi: 10.1016/s0378-4320(01)00164-6

Interaction between equine semen and the endometrium: the inflammatory response to semen.

Abstract: Insemination of mares with bacteria-free equine spermatozoa results in an influx of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) into the uterine lumen. In vitro studies have demonstrated that equine spermatozoa activate complement, resulting in cleavage of factors C5a and C3b. Since uterine secretion is rich in complement, it is likely that an interaction between spermatozoa and uterine secretion results in C5a-mediated chemotaxis and migration of PMNs into the uterine lumen. Once in the uterine lumen, the PMNs phagocytize bacteria and spermatozoa, which is an important part of sperm elimination from the reproductive tract. It is not clear how the spermatozoa are opsonized, or if phagocytosis of equine spermatozoa is a selective or non-selective process. Breeding-induced endometritis appears to be both up and down regulated by seminal components. A modulatory role on the inflammation has been suggested for equine seminal plasma. Seminal plasma suppressed complement activation, PMN-chemotaxis and phagocytosis in vitro. Preliminary in vivo experiments also support a suppressive role of seminal plasma in breeding-induced endometritis. The duration but not the magnitude of the PMN-influx into the uterine lumen was shortened when seminal plasma was included in an insemination dose. The presence of PMNs in the uterus affects the motion characteristics of spermatozoa in vitro. Both progressive motility and mean path velocity were impaired when spermatozoa were incubated in uterine secretion from mares with ongoing breeding-induced endometritis. The binding of spermatozoa to PMNs was prominent in all samples collected from mares with an ongoing endometritis. The motility remained impaired, but the binding of the spermatozoa to PMNs was reduced when the spermatozoa were incubated in uterine secretion in the presence of seminal plasma. Preliminary characterization of the immune-suppressive component in seminal plasma suggests that it is one or more molecule(s) with a molecular weight between 50 and 100 kDa, partially inactivated by charcoal stripping and partially heat-inactivated at 95 degrees C for 45 min.
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Publication Date: 2001-12-18 PubMed ID: 11744271DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4320(01)00164-6Google 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.

The research investigates the interaction between equine sperm and the female horse’s reproductive system, specifically focusing on the immune response triggered by the semen. The study highlighted various aspects, including the role of seminal plasma, the influx and behavior of neutrophils, and the impact on sperm motility and elimination.

About the Interaction of Sperm and Uterine Secretion

  • The researchers noticed that when mares are inseminated with bacteria-free equine sperm, an influx of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) into the uterine lumen occurs.
  • This led them to believe that there may be an interaction between the sperm and the uterine secretion rich in complement (a part of the immune system). This interaction results in the chemotaxis (movement guided by chemical stimuli) and migration of PMNs into the uterine space.
  • These PMNs then consume bacteria and sperm cells. However, it’s unclear as to how sperm cells are targeted (opsonized) for this consumption and whether this process is selective or indiscriminate.

Seminal Plasma’s Role in Uterine Inflammation

  • Endometritis, a condition where the uterus’s inner lining becomes inflamed, arises after breeding and seems to be influenced by seminal components, both inhibitory and stimulatory.
  • The equine seminal plasma demonstrated a modulatory effect on inflammation, with the ability to suppress complement activation, chemotaxis of PMNs, and phagocytosis (the process by which cells engulf others) in a controlled, non-living environment.
  • Some preliminary live (in vivo) experiments indicate that seminal plasma might have a similar inflammatory-suppressive role during the actual breeding process.

Impact of Seminal Plasma and Neutrophils on Sperm Motility

  • Researchers noted that the magnitude of PMNs influx into the uterine lumen wasn’t changed by seminal plasma. However, the duration of this action was reduced.
  • Upon observing sperm’s motion characteristics in interactions with PMNs and uterine secretions from mares with ongoing breeding-induced endometritis, researchers found that both progressive motility and mean path velocity were compromised.
  • Nonetheless, when sperm cells were incubated with uterine secretion in the presence of seminal plasma, their binding to PMNs was reduced, although their impaired motility persisted.

Identifying the Immune-Suppressive Component in Seminal Plasma

  • The researchers theorize that the immune-suppressive component in seminal plasma could be one or more molecules with a molecular weight of 50-100 kDa. This component might be partially inactivated by heat and through a charcoal stripping process.

Cite This Article

APA
Troedsson MH, Loset K, Alghamdi AM, Dahms B, Crabo BG. (2001). Interaction between equine semen and the endometrium: the inflammatory response to semen. Anim Reprod Sci, 68(3-4), 273-278. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-4320(01)00164-6

Publication

Animal reproduction science
ISSN: 0378-4320
NlmUniqueID: 7807205
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 68
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 273-278

Researcher Affiliations

Troedsson, M H
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA. troed001@tc.umn.edu
Loset, K
    Alghamdi, A M
      Dahms, B
        Crabo, B G

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Breeding
          • Chemotaxis / immunology
          • Endometritis / immunology
          • Endometrium / immunology
          • Endometrium / physiology
          • Female
          • Horses / immunology
          • Horses / physiology
          • Male
          • Neutrophils / immunology
          • Semen / immunology
          • Semen / physiology
          • Sperm Motility / immunology
          • Sperm Motility / physiology

          Citations

          This article has been cited 21 times.
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