The anti-inflammatory effect of exogenous lactoferrin on breeding-induced endometritis when administered post-breeding in susceptible mares

The deposition of semen into the uterus of the horse induces a transient innate immune response that lasts 24 –36 h in the normal mare. There exists a subset of mares that are unable to resolve this inflammation in a timely manner, and are classified as susceptible to the disease of persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE). Lactoferrin is a protein of interest as a potential therapeutic for this persistent inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. The addition of human recombinant lactoferrin (hrLF) to the insemination dose was previously shown to suppress mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α at 6 h after insemination , but no studies have shown the effect of lactoferrin when infused post-breeding.

Source: Theriogenology - March 22, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: C.E. Fedorka, K.E. Scoggin, Y.L. Boakari, N.E. Hoppe, E.L. Squires, B.A. Ball, M.H.T. Troedsson Source Type: research