1. [Postpartum reproductive failure in cattle: is the examination of gene expression in the endometrium a key to success?].
- Author
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Fischer C, Drillich M, Gabler C, Heuwieser W, and Einspanier R
- Subjects
- Animals, Cattle, Cattle Diseases immunology, Dairying, Endometritis immunology, Endometritis physiopathology, Female, Gene Expression Regulation immunology, Gene Expression Regulation physiology, Haptoglobins physiology, Interleukins physiology, Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II physiology, Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases physiology, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha physiology, Cattle Diseases physiopathology, Endometritis veterinary, Gene Expression physiology, Postpartum Period physiology, Reproduction physiology
- Abstract
High reproductive performance is required for successful management of dairy farms. After calving, especially endometritis is one of the main reasons for reproductive failure. However, subclinical endometritis remains undetected in many cases and causes a high financial loss. To elucidate the cellular processes in the endometrium, the acquisition of the gene expression will provide helpful information. In the literature, numerous cytokines and enzymes were discussed to play important roles in preparing the endometrium for implantation. This review gives an overview about our present understanding of the functions of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1/COX-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), haptoglobin as well as the interleukins 1 and 6 (IL-1/IL-6). Their role is not only to regulate certain physiological processes in the bovine reproductive tract, but to act also as inflammatory mediators in infectious diseases. A better understanding of cellular processes may help to improve identification and treatment of postpartum reproductive failure.
- Published
- 2006