The contribution of complement to opsonic activity in the uterine secretions of mares free of endometritis.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate if complement contributes to opsonic activity in the uterine secretions of mares with normal reproductive functions. Five mares with a mean age of 9 years were used in the study. The mares were considered to be free of endometritis based upon clinical history, palpation per rectum and ultrasonogaraphy of the genital tract, videoendoscopic inspection of the uterus, electronmicroscopy of endometrial biopsies, and bacteriological and cytological examination of swabs from the endometrium. The hormonal status of the mares was also determined. Uterine secretions were collected by a tampon inserted into the uterus during estrus. Secretion and serum samples were divided in half, one half of which was subjected to heat treatment (56 degrees C in 30 minutes) in order to inactivate the complement. Opsonic activity in the samples was then determined in a chemiluminescence assay using zymosan as the target particle. Opsonic activity was expressed as peak chemiluminescence and the time to peak chemiluminescence. Heat treatment of the secretions reduced peak luminescence significantly (P<0.01), and it prolonged the time to peak luminescence significantly (P<0.05). These data show that complement contributes a considerably to opsonic activity in uterine secretions prior to an inflammatory response in the equine uterus.
Publication Date: 1993-03-01 PubMed ID: 16727239DOI: 10.1016/0093-691x(93)90247-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research seeks to understand if complement, a part of the immune system, aids in enhancing the immune response in the uterine secretions of healthy horses, specifically mares. The results show that complement does significantly contribute to immune activity in the uterine secretions.
Selection of the Sample
- The participants of the study were five healthy mares averaging nine years old.
- The health and the absence of endometritis in these mares were established through a series of medical assessments including clinical history review, palpation, ultrasound, videoendoscopy, breakdown of endometrial biopsies, bacteriological and cytological swab examinations.
- The hormonal statuses of the mares were noted as part of the study.
Collection of Data
- Uterine secretions were collected through the insertion of a tampon into the uterus during the mares’ estrus cycle.
- Both the secretion and serum samples were divided into two, one half was exposed to heat treatment to inactivate the complement.
Analysis of Data
- The opsonic activity of the complement i.e., its efficiency in marking foreign particles for immunity response was determined using a chemiluminescence assay with zymosan as the target particle.
- The heat treatment served the purpose of discerning the contribution of complement. If the heat-treated samples showed lesser opsonic activity, it would indicate that complement was indeed instrumental in opsonic activity.
Results of the Study
- Heat treatment of the secretions did reduce peak luminescence significantly indicating that the complement contributes to the opsonic activity of the uterine secretions.
- Also, the heat treatment lengthened the time to reach peak luminescence showing that the presence of active complement helps in a speedy immune response.
- The research findings affirm that the complement plays a significant role in the immunity response of the equine uterus even before any inflammatory response in the uterus.
Cite This Article
APA
Hakansson A, Albihn A, Magnusson U.
(1993).
The contribution of complement to opsonic activity in the uterine secretions of mares free of endometritis.
Theriogenology, 39(3), 601-609.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0093-691x(93)90247-3 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology College of Veterinary Medicine Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
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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