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Lactoferrin expression in the horse endometrium: relevance in persisting mating-induced endometritis.
Abstract: Lactoferrin (LF) is an estrogen-regulated glycoprotein with well-described antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties. The present study is the first report on LF expression in horse endometrial specimens. Mares chosen for the study were either resistant or susceptible for persisting mating-induced endometritis (PMIE) during the natural ovulatory cycle and in early pregnancy. Our investigations included immunostaining for LF protein and CD18, a leukocyte marker, as neutrophils are a possible source for LF in the endometrium. Quantification of LF mRNA was performed by use of real-time RT-PCR. This study demonstrated that LF protein in equine endometrium was expressed in glandular and luminal epithelium and in neutrophils. Similar to other mammalian species, the level of endometrial LF transcription in the mare was modulated according to the stage of the estrus cycle and was 5500-fold higher during estrus compared with diestrus and early pregnancy. The endometria from mares susceptible for PMIE and delayed uterine clearance exhibited an increased LF transcription during all stages of the estrus cycle that reached statistical significance in proestrus. In the endometria of mares susceptible for PMIE the upregulated LF mRNA expression was not associated with a higher number of CD18 positive leukocytes but correlated with the number of uterine glands. Enhanced LF transcription within the endometrial epithelium might therefore be a response to recurrent persisting inflammation following insemination in mares with delayed uterine clearance.
Publication Date: 2006-09-12 PubMed ID: 16973221DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2006.08.005Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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 article discusses the expression of lactoferrin (a protein with antibacterial properties) in horse endometrium and its connection to persisting mating-induced endometritis, a common reproductive disorder in horses. Higher expression of lactoferrin was observed in horses more susceptible to this disorder, suggesting it might be a response to recurrent inflammation after insemination.
Background of The Study
- The research investigates the expression of Lactoferrin (LF), an estrogen-regulated glycoprotein known for its antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties, in horse endometrium.
- The study focuses on its relevance in persisting mating-induced endometritis (PMIE), a reproductive disorder in mares occurring after mating.
- The mares chosen for the study were either resistant or susceptible to PMIE during their natural ovulatory cycle and in early pregnancy.
Methods of Research
- The researchers used immunostaining for LF protein and CD18, a leukocyte (white blood cell) marker, given neutrophils, a type of leukocyte, could be a potential source for LF in the endometrium.
- The quantification of LF mRNA was done using real-time RT-PCR, a lab technique used to measure the amount of a specific RNA strand.
Research Findings
- The LF protein in equine endometrium was found to be expressed in the glandular and luminal epithelium, as well as in neutrophils.
- The level of endometrial LF transcription in the mare was show to be modulated according to the stage of the estrus cycle, being significantly higher during estrus as compared with diestrus and early pregnancy.
- In horses susceptible to PMIE and delayed uterine clearance, there was increased LF transcription during all stages of the estrus cycle.
Conclusion
- The study revealed that the elevated LF mRNA expression in mares susceptible for PMIE wasn’t associated with a higher number of CD18 positive leukocytes.
- However, it did correlate with the number of uterine glands, suggesting that the enhanced LF transcription within the endometrial epithelium could be a response to recurrent persisting inflammation following insemination in mares with delayed uterine clearance.
Cite This Article
APA
Kolm G, Klein D, Knapp E, Watanabe K, Walter I.
(2006).
Lactoferrin expression in the horse endometrium: relevance in persisting mating-induced endometritis.
Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 114(1-2), 159-167.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2006.08.005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department for Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Veterinary University Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria. gabriela.kolm@vu-wien.ac.at
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biopsy / veterinary
- CD18 Antigens / immunology
- Endometritis / immunology
- Endometritis / pathology
- Endometritis / veterinary
- Estrous Cycle / immunology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- Lactoferrin / biosynthesis
- Lactoferrin / genetics
- Lactoferrin / immunology
- Pregnancy
- RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger / genetics
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Statistics, Nonparametric
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Parrilla Hernández S, Franck T, Munaut C, Feyereisen É, Piret J, Farnir F, Reigner F, Barrière P, Deleuze S. Characterization of Myeloperoxidase in the Healthy Equine Endometrium. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 21;13(3).
- Alghamdi AS, Fedorka CE, Scoggin KE, Esteller-Vico A, Beatty K, Davolli G, Ball BA, Troedsson MHT. Binding of Equine Seminal Lactoferrin/Superoxide Dismutase (SOD-3) Complex Is Biased towards Dead Spermatozoa. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 23;13(1).
- 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).
- Barrachina L, Remacha AR, Romero A, Vázquez FJ, Albareda J, Prades M, Ranera B, Zaragoza P, Martín-Burriel I, Rodellar C. Inflammation affects the viability and plasticity of equine mesenchymal stem cells: possible implications in intra-articular treatments. J Vet Sci 2017 Mar 30;18(1):39-49.
- Ardanaz N, Vázquez FJ, Romero A, Remacha AR, Barrachina L, Sanz A, Ranera B, Vitoria A, Albareda J, Prades M, Zaragoza P, Martín-Burriel I, Rodellar C. Inflammatory response to the administration of mesenchymal stem cells in an equine experimental model: effect of autologous, and single and repeat doses of pooled allogeneic cells in healthy joints. BMC Vet Res 2016 Mar 31;12:65.
- Marth CD, Young ND, Glenton LY, Noden DM, Browning GF, Krekeler N. Deep sequencing of the uterine immune response to bacteria during the equine oestrous cycle. BMC Genomics 2015 Nov 14;16:934.
- Nakamura A, Tanaka Y, Takebayashi A, Amano T, Tsuji S. Lactoferrin as a Non-Hormonal Therapeutic Candidate for Endometriosis: Mechanisms and Future Directions. Reprod Sci 2026 Mar 5;.
- Kanazawa T, Seki M, Iga K, Kizaki K. Effects of luteal blood flow on endometrial progesterone concentrations and gene expression in Japanese Black cows. J Reprod Dev 2025 Oct 9;71(5):272-281.
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