Comparative biochemical profiles, utero-ovarian function, and fertility of the postpartum buffalo with and without subclinical endometritis

The Transcript Levels and the Serum Profile of Biomarkers Associated with Clinical Endometritis Susceptibility in Buffalo Cows

Determining the gene expression and serum profile of the indicators linked to clinical endometritis susceptibility in Egyptian buffalo cows was the aim of this investigation. The buffalo cows that were enrolled were divided into two groups: forty infected buffalo cows with clinical endometritis and forty seemingly healthy buffalo cows that served as the control group. For the purposes of gene expression and biochemical analysis, ten milliliters of blood was obtained via jugular venipuncture from each buffalo cow. TLR4, IL-8, IL-17, NFKB, SLCA11A1, NCF4, Keap1, HMOX1, OXSR1, ST1P1, and SERP1 were manifestly expressed at much higher levels in the buffaloes with endometritis. On the other hand, the genes that encode SOD, CAT, NDUFS6, Nrf2, and PRDX2 were down-regulated. There was a significant (p < 0.05) elevation of the serum levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), beta hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA), triglycerides (TGs), globulin, creatinine, and cortisol, along with a reduction in the serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, total protein albumin, urea, estrogen (E2), progesterone (P4), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroxine (T4), prostaglandin F2 α (PGF2α), calcium, iron, and selenium, in the endometritis group in comparison with the control. However, no significant change was observed in the values of phosphorus, magnesium, copper, or zinc in either group. Within the selective breeding of naturally resistant animals, the variation in the genes under study and the changes in the serum profiles of the indicators under investigation may serve as a reference guide for reducing endometritis in Egyptian buffalo cows.

UFM1 inhibits the activation of the pyroptosis in LPS-induced goat endometritis

Infertility, abortion, and stillbirth caused by endometritis are the main factors affecting fertility in ruminants. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammation is the main cause of endometritis. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway and pyroptosis play an important role in the inflammation, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Previous studies have reported that UFMylation, a ubiquitin-like post-translational modifier, plays an important regulatory role in inflammation via the TLR4 pathway; however, its relationship with pyroptosis is still unclear. Our result showed that LPS induced inflammation by activating the TLR4 pathway and pyroptosis in goat endometrial epithelial cells (gEECs). We also found that TAK-242,a specific inhibitor of the TLR4 pathway, inhibited the pyroptosis pathway. In addition, with an increased LPS treatment time, ubiquitin-folding modifier factor 1 (UFM1) conjugated proteins were highly expressed in gEECs. Moreover, overexpression of UFM1 inhibited LPS-induced activation of the TLR4 pathway and pyroptosis, whereas si-UFM1 produced contrasting results. After inhibiting the TLR4 pathway, si-UFM1 could not upregulate the expression of nod-like receptor family protein 3 (NLRP3), cleavage caspase-1, or cleavage gasdermin D (GSDMD). In conclusion, these results suggest that UFM1 inhibits pyroptosis activation in LPS-induced gEECs through the TLR4 pathway.

Immunometabolic response in Egyptian water buffalo cows during the transition period

Background and Aim:

The transition period is extremely critical for pregnant producing animals. However, there is very limited research on the metabolic and immunological changes in Egyptian water buffalo cows during the transition period. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the immunometabolic changes occurring during the transition period in Egyptian water buffalo cows.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 50 multiparous pregnant Egyptian water buffalo cows were subjected to weekly blood sampling 3 weeks before calving and 3 weeks after calving and on the day of parturition to determine the complete blood count, including red blood cell count, total leukocyte count (TLC), differential leukocyte count, hemoglobin level, and packed cell volume (PCV). Some selected serum biochemical and immunological parameters were analyzed, including serum glucose, beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL (VLDL), cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, Haptoglobin, and C-reactive protein and the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin β1, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. All data were statistically analyzed using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences statistics software.

Results:

The neutrophil count showed a statistically significant increase at 2 weeks preparturition. There was also a significant increase in PCV, TLC, neutrophil count, and IL-6 and TNF-a level at the time of parturition and even at 2 weeks post parturition, except PCV that returned to normal levels in the 1^st week post parturition. BHBA and BUN levels were increased significantly in the 2^nd and 3^rd weeks postcalving. Serum creatinine and VLDL levels were decreased significantly at the time of parturition, and VLDL levels showed a significant decrease even till the 3^rd week postcalving, whereas creatinine levels gradually returned to the pre-calving levels in the 3^rd week postcalving. Other parameters showed no significant changes.

Conclusion:

The most important immunometabolic changes occur in the first 2 weeks post parturition in Egyptian water buffalo cows, which exhibit a potent, remarkable physiological adaptation achieved by their functional liver, which can help the animal overcome the stressful conditions during the transition period.