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Distribution of T cells in the Endometrium of the Mare 6 and 48 h after Insemination
Author(s) -
Tunón AM.,
Nummijärvi A.,
Katila T.,
Magnusson U.,
RodriguezMartinez H.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
reproduction in domestic animals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.546
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1439-0531
pISSN - 0936-6768
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0531.1999.tb01399.x
Subject(s) - insemination , endometritis , semen , endometrium , andrology , estrous cycle , cytotoxic t cell , cd8 , biology , uterus , endometrial biopsy , immune system , endocrinology , medicine , immunology , pregnancy , sperm , in vitro , biochemistry , genetics
Contents In order to study the T‐cell response after the introduction of semen into the uterine cavity, the distribution of helper T cells (CD4+) and cytotoxic/suppressor T cells (CD8+) was examined immunohistochemically in endometrial biopsy specimens. Endometrial tissue samples were obtained from 19 gynaecologically healthy mares during oestrus, both before and 6 or 48 h after deposition of a single dose of neat stallion semen. An increase (p = 0.04) in the numbers of helper T cells (CD4+) was observed at 6 h after insemination; thereafter the number of CD4+ cells decreased to pre‐insemination values by 48 h after insemination. No significant variations in numbers of CD8+ cells were recorded either 6 or 48 h after insemination. There seems to be an early (6 h), recruitment of helper T cells into the equine endometrium after semen deposition, which might be related to the activation of the endometritis‐like reaction seen as part of the equine uterine immune defence system during oestrus.