Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

Seminal plasma (SP) regulates immune responses in the female reproductive tract through specific cytokines. Itis not known whether SP from high fertility bulls (H) differs from SP from low fertility bulls (L). In this study, thecytokine response of bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEEC) in culture was investigated after challenge withSP from two bulls of below average (L) or three bulls of above average fertility (H). The bEECs were challengedwith 1% or 4% SP fromL- or H-fertility bulls (L1, L4, H1, H4, respectively) or 1% or 4% PBS as control (C1, C4)for 72 h. The culture media were analysed for concentrations (pg/million cells) of transforming growth factorbeta (TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3) by Luminex, and Interleukin 6 and 8 (IL-6, IL-8) by ELISA. Challenge sig-nificantly affected production of TGF-ß1, TGF-ß2 and IL-8 compared to controls and was affected by bull fertility(p < 0.0001), SP concentration (p < 0.0001) and their interaction (p < 0.0001). A higher production of TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and IL-8 (p < 0.0001), and also IL-6 (p < 0.01), resulted from challenge with high doses of SP,being higher for L than H (p < 0.05). For TGF-β3, fertility of bull (p < 0.05). For TGF-B3, fertility of bull(p < 0.05) and the interaction between fertility and concentration of SP were significant (p < 0.01). In con-clusion, 4% SP from L bulls stimulated more TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, IL-6 and IL-8 production than SP from Hbulls, indicating that stimulation of the endometrium is relevant for fertility. Seminal plasma from high fertilitybulls seems to affect cytokine productionin uteropositively in inseminated cows.