Granulocyte–macrophage colony stimulating factor and interleukin-8 in the reproductive tract of ewes following oestrus and mating
Jennifer L. Scott A B , Natkunam Ketheesan A and Phillip M. Summers AA School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, James Cook University, Solander Drive, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: jennifer.scott1@jcu.edu.au
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 19(4) 585-593 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD06137
Submitted: 4 October 2006 Accepted: 12 March 2007 Published: 7 May 2007
Abstract
Cytokines produced in the female reproductive tract after mating may enhance reproductive success. The present study investigated the distribution of granulocyte–macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-8 in tissues and luminal secretions from different sites in the reproductive tract of the ewe following oestrus and after natural mating. Fifteen ewes were mated with a ram for 1 h and their reproductive tracts collected 3, 6, 18, 24 or 48 h later. Another 15 ewes were used as oestrous controls. Luminal secretions and tissue samples were collected from seven sites in each reproductive tract. Secretions were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and tissues were stained immunohistochemically using anti-sheep GM-CSF and anti-sheep IL-8 antibodies. Both cytokines were found in luminal and glandular endometrial epithelium and, to a lesser extent, in cervical epithelium; neither was found in the vaginal epithelium. Twice as many (P < 0.05) luminal samples from mated ewes than non-mated ewes were positive for GM-CSF. The vaginal lumen contained significantly higher (P < 0.01) concentrations of IL-8 compared with other sites, irrespective of mating status. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in staining intensity of GM-CSF and IL-8 from different sites. Production of GM-CSF and IL-8 by reproductive tissues is likely to contribute to leucocyte infiltration into the ovine reproductive tract.
Additional keywords: cytokines, ovine, semen, uterus.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Mr Chris Coleman for assistance with the management of animals and Mr Laurie Reilly for advice on immunohistochemical techniques.
Arici, A. , Seli, E. , Senturk, L. M. , Gutierrez, L. , Oral, E. , and Taylor, H. S. (1998). Interleukin-8 in the human endometrium. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 83, 1783–1787.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
De, M. , Choudhuri, R. , and Wood, G. W. (1991). Determination of the number and distribution of macrophages, lymphocytes, and granulocytes in the mouse uterus from mating through implantation. J. Leukoc. Biol. 50, 252–262.
| PubMed |
Robertson, S. A. , and Seamark, R. F. (1990). Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the murine reproductive tract: stimulation by seminal factors. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 2, 359–368.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Robertson, S. A. , Allanson, M. , and Mau, V. J. (1998b). Molecular regulation of uterine leukocyte recruitment during early pregnancy in the mouse. Trophoblast Res. 11, 101–119.
Young, A. , Thomson, A. J. , Ledingham, M. , Jordan, F. , Greer, I. A. , and Norman, J. E. (2002). Immunolocalization of proinflammatory cytokines in myometrium, cervix and fetal membranes during human parturition at term. Biol. Reprod. 66, 445–449.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Zambrano, A. , Noli, C. , Raunch, M. C. , Werner, E. , Brito, M. , Amthauer, R. , Slebe, J. C. , Vera, J. C. , and Concha, I. I. (2001). Expression of GM-CSF receptors in male germ cells and their role in signaling for increased glucose and vitamin C transport. J. Cell. Biochem. 80, 625–634.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
