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Research article2008Peer reviewed

Embryo transfer induces a subclinical endometritis in recipient mares which can be prevented by treatment with non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs

Koblischke, Petra; Kindahl, Hans ; Budik, S.; Aurich, J.; Palm, F.; Walter, I.; Kolodziejek, J.; Nowotny, N.; Hoppen, H.-O.; Aurich, C.

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that subclinical endometritis Occurs after embryo transfer (ET) in the horse. Recipient mares were treated with meclofenamic acid (M) or flunixin meglumin (F) after ET or were left untreated (n = 9 per group). Embryos were recollected 4 days after transfer. Endometrial biopsies were taken for histology and analysis of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by immunohistochemistry and for PCR. Bacteriological swabs were collected from the uterus and lavage fluid of donor and recipient mares. Progesterone and prostaglandin F-2 alpha release was analysed in recipient mares after ET. Four days after ET, four embryos were recovered front group M and three from group F and untreated mares. each. The number of polymorph nuclear neutrophils was reduced in treated mares (p < 0.05). Expression of mRNA for inflammatory cytokines did not differ between groups. In group M. expression of endometrial prostaglandin-E-synthase was higher than in group F (p < 0.05). Three Out of nine control mares unterwent preterm luteolysis (p < 0.05 vs. treatment groups), prostaglandin release (p < 0.05) and the number of COX-2 positive cells (p < 0.01) were significantly higher than in treated mares. Only few bacteriological swabs were positive. In Conclusion. treatment of embryo recipient mares with non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs inhibits the inflammatory response of the endometrium after ET. Meclofenamic acid may have advantages in comparison to flunixin meglumin due to a different influence on prostaglandin synthesis that may not result in inhibition of embryonic mobility. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

horse; embryo transfer; recipient

Published in

Theriogenology
2008, volume: 70, number: 7, pages: 1147-1158
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Clinical Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.06.037

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/77956