The Value of Innate Immune Genes as Diagnostic Markers for Endometritis in Mares

Persistent mating-induced endometritis (PMIE) is a major cause for subfertility in mares. While a brief inflammation is the physiological response to breeding, a sterile uterine environment free of inflammatory products is essential for embryonic survival from about five days after ovulation. Underlying low-grade inflammation that persists throughout the oestrous cycle may contribute to the subfertility associated with PMIE. In a previous study, we found that gene expression levels in uterine biopsies for three genes associated with the innate immune response, equine β-defensin 1 (EBD1), lysozyme (LYZ) and secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI), could be used as a diagnostic test to identify mares affected by PMIE (Marth et al.
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Source Type: research