Endometritis is a common disease affecting fertility in cows during the perinatal period, which disturbs the molecular milieu of the uterine environment and impairs embryo development and implantation. Exosomes are important extracellular components that transmit a variety of micro RNAs (miRNAs), which perform key regulatory functions. In this study, we investigated plasma exosomal miRNAs from cows with endometritis and from cultured endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to explore the role of EEC-derived exosomes and their miRNAs in bovine endometritis. Plasma exosomes were collected from nine healthy dairy cows and nine dairy cows with endometritis, and culture supernatant exosomes were isolated from EECs challenged with or without LPS. Exosomal RNA was extracted using commercial kits and miRNA profiles were generated using RNA-seq. We found that miR-218 was differentially expressed in EECs under conditions of endometrial inflammation. Inhibition studies suggested that reduced levels of miR-218 in EEC-derived exosomes when transferred into placental trophoblast cells impaired embryonic development and decreased placental trophoblast cell migration by targeting secreted frizzled related protein 2. We propose that exosomal miR-218 secreted from EECs acts as a driver of embryonic development and differentiation. In addition, exosomal miR-218 may provide a valuable diagnostic marker for bovine endometritis.

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Primaquine, the only licensed antimalarial drug for eradication of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale malaria, may cause acute hemolytic anemia in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) during treatment. The different prevalence and distribution patterns of G6PDd in Hainan, the ancient malaria-endemic area, are unclear. This study included 5,622 suspected malaria patients between 2009 and 2011 in 11 counties of Hainan. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency prevalence was determined using the fluorescent spot test (FST) and malaria patients was confirmed by a positive light microscopy. The G6PDd prevalence for different ethnic groups, genders, and counties were calculated and compared using χ2-test. Spatial cluster and Spearman rank correlation of G6PDd prevalence and malaria incidence were analyzed. The overall G6PDd prevalence of study population was 7.45%. The G6PDd prevalence of males, Li ethnic minority, and malaria patients was significantly higher than that of females, Han ethnic majority, and non-malarial patients (p < 0.01), respectively. The spatial cluster of G6PDd and malaria located in south-western and central-southern Hainan, respectively, with no significant correlation. The study provides essential information on G6PDd prevalence in ancient malaria-endemic areas of Hainan Province. We also highlight the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between G6PDd prevalence and malaria incidence. These findings provide a reference for the safety of the primaquine-based intervention, even after malaria elimination.

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