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Research article2020Peer reviewedOpen access

Bull seminal plasma stimulates in vitro production of TGF-β, IL-6 and IL-8 from bovine endometrial epithelial cells, depending on dose and bull fertility

Morrell, Jane; Nongbua, Thanapol ; Nongbua, Thanapol; Guo, Yongzhi; Ntallaris, Theodoros; Rubér, Marie; Rodriguez-Martinez, Heriberto; Humblot, Patrice; Morrell, Jane

Abstract

Seminal plasma (SP) regulates immune responses in the female reproductive tract through specific cytokines. It is not known whether SP from high fertility bulls (H) differs from SP from low fertility bulls (L). In this study, the cytokine response of bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEEC) in culture was investigated after challenge with SP from two bulls of below average (L) or three bulls of above average fertility (H). The bEECs were challenged with 1% or 4% SP from L- or H-fertility bulls (L1, L4, H1, H4, respectively) or 1%, or 4% PBS as control (C1, C4) for 72 h. The culture media were analysed for concentrations (pg/million cells) of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3) by Luminex, and Interleukin 6 and 8 (IL-6, IL-8) by ELISA. Challenge significantly affected production of TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2 and IL-8 compared to controls and was affected by bull fertility (p < 0.0001), SP concentration (p < 0.0001) and their interaction (p < 0.0001). A higher production of TGF beta 1, TGF-beta 2 and IL-8 (p < 0.0001), and also IL-6 (p < 0.01), resulted from challenge with high doses of SP, being higher for L than H (p < 0.05). For TGF-beta 3, fertility of bull (p < 0.05). For TGF-B3, fertility of bull (p < 0.05) and the interaction between fertility and concentration of SP were significant (p < 0.01). In conclusion, 4% SP from L bulls stimulated more TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, TGF-beta 3, IL-6 and IL-8 production than SP from H bulls, indicating that stimulation of the endometrium is relevant for fertility. Seminal plasma from high fertility bulls seems to affect cytokine production in utero positively in inseminated cows.

Keywords

Uterus; Seminal plasma proteins; Artificial insemination; High fertility bulls; Low fertility bulls; Endometrium

Published in

Journal of Reproductive Immunology
2020, volume: 142, article number: 103179

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Clinical Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2020.103179

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/107168