Influence of Ovarian Hormones on Uterine Infection

Non-Surgical Egg Transfer in Mares

“…An unsuccessful attempt at non-surgical egg transfer through the cervix was reported by Oguri & Tsutsumi (1972). Failure appeared to be due to cervical stimulation during transfer similar to that described in cattle (Rowson, Lamming & Fry, 1953;Harper, Bennett & Rowson, 1961 ;Rowson, Bennett & Harper, 1964). Surgical transfer of one mule zygote to an ass and two hinny zygotes to two mares resulted in normal development of the zygotes (Allen & Rowson, 1972).…”

Innate immunity and inflammation of the bovine female reproductive tract in health and disease

“…Presumably, this allows T. pyogenes and pyolysin to access the stromal compartment of the endometrium to establish infection and cause tissue damage. The duration and severity of clinical endometritis following infusion of bacteria can be increased by administering exogenous progesterone to the animal, or by infusion of bacteria during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle (Rowson et al 1953, Lewis 2003. Similarly, early ovulation after parturition and establishment of a progesterone-dominated phase before pathogenic bacteria are eliminated predisposes to the development of pyometra (Olson et al 1984).…”

“…Animal models of uterine disease have been generated in dairy and beef cattle, sheep and mice (Ayliffe & Noakes 1982, Karsch et al 2002, Sheldon et al 2010, Amos et al 2014. Most of the animal models that replicate uterine disease rely on infusion of E. coli or T. pyogenes into the uterine lumen (Rowson et al 1953, Ayliffe & Noakes 1982, Sheldon et al 2010, Amos et al 2014. A key step in generating models of uterine disease in cattle is mechanical debridement of the epithelium lining the endometrium (Ayliffe & Noakes 1982, Amos et al 2014.…”

The uterus, an organ of many roles

“…And it is reasonable to assume that endometritis results from a breakdown in the non cellular defence mechanisms or the failure of intra cellular killing of bacteria by phagocytic cells (Peterson et al, 1969), or the need for minimal contamination techniques for breeding mares . Also there is undoubtedly a relationship between ovarian hormones and uterine infection (Rowson et al, 1953) and the lesson of Hughes and Loy (1969), that the mares uterus is normally capable of eliminating bacterial contamination at coitus, should not be lost in relation to management practices and the selection of individuals within the herd for breeding purposes,…”