Influence of age and parity on the distribution of cells expressing major histocompatibility complex class II, CD4, or CD8 molecules in the endometrium of mares during estrus

Ann-Marie Tunón From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7039, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (Tunón, Rodríguez-Martínez, Magnusson); and the Agricultural Research Center, Equine Research, Ypäjä, Finland (Nummijärvi).

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Heriberto Rodríguez-Martínez From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7039, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (Tunón, Rodríguez-Martínez, Magnusson); and the Agricultural Research Center, Equine Research, Ypäjä, Finland (Nummijärvi).

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Ansa Nummijärvi From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7039, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (Tunón, Rodríguez-Martínez, Magnusson); and the Agricultural Research Center, Equine Research, Ypäjä, Finland (Nummijärvi).

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Ulf Magnusson From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7039, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (Tunón, Rodríguez-Martínez, Magnusson); and the Agricultural Research Center, Equine Research, Ypäjä, Finland (Nummijärvi).

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate effect of age and parity on distribution and number of cells expressing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, CD4, or CD8 molecules in the endometrium of mares during estrus.

Animals

32 gynecologically healthy mares, categorized as young (3 to 8 years; n = 17) or old (9 to 16 years; 15) and nulliparous (n = 6), nulliparous embryo donors (16), or parous (10).

Procedures

Endometrial specimens collected from the uterine body and horns during estrus were stained by use of the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method, using monoclonal antibodies against equine MHC class II, CD4, and CD8 molecules. Labeled cells in the stratum compactum within 5 randomly selected fields at 400× magnification (total area = 0.31 mm2) were counted, and numbers were compared among groups and between locations.

Results

Age did not affect cell numbers within the 3 cell subsets examined. Numbers in each subset were higher in the uterine body than in the horns, although the difference was not significant for cells expressing MHC class II. Significantly more cells expressing MHC class II molecules were detected in the uterine body of nulliparous and parous mares than in embryo donors, whereas in the horns, these cells were significantly higher in number only in parous mares. Parity did not affect number of CD4+ or CD8+ cells.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The increased likelihood for endometritis to develop in mares as they age cannot be explained by a decrease in number of cells expressing MHC class II, CD4, or CD8 molecules within the endometrium. However, greater number of cells within these 3 subsets detected in the uterine body, compared with the horns, during estrus suggests a local readiness to act against microorganisms or semen introduced during mating or insemination. (Am J Vet Res 1999;60:1531–1535)

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate effect of age and parity on distribution and number of cells expressing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, CD4, or CD8 molecules in the endometrium of mares during estrus.

Animals

32 gynecologically healthy mares, categorized as young (3 to 8 years; n = 17) or old (9 to 16 years; 15) and nulliparous (n = 6), nulliparous embryo donors (16), or parous (10).

Procedures

Endometrial specimens collected from the uterine body and horns during estrus were stained by use of the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method, using monoclonal antibodies against equine MHC class II, CD4, and CD8 molecules. Labeled cells in the stratum compactum within 5 randomly selected fields at 400× magnification (total area = 0.31 mm2) were counted, and numbers were compared among groups and between locations.

Results

Age did not affect cell numbers within the 3 cell subsets examined. Numbers in each subset were higher in the uterine body than in the horns, although the difference was not significant for cells expressing MHC class II. Significantly more cells expressing MHC class II molecules were detected in the uterine body of nulliparous and parous mares than in embryo donors, whereas in the horns, these cells were significantly higher in number only in parous mares. Parity did not affect number of CD4+ or CD8+ cells.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The increased likelihood for endometritis to develop in mares as they age cannot be explained by a decrease in number of cells expressing MHC class II, CD4, or CD8 molecules within the endometrium. However, greater number of cells within these 3 subsets detected in the uterine body, compared with the horns, during estrus suggests a local readiness to act against microorganisms or semen introduced during mating or insemination. (Am J Vet Res 1999;60:1531–1535)

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