Follicular structures of cows with Cystic Ovarian Disease present altered expression of cytokines.

STASSI, A.F.; GAREIS N; MARELLI B; MATILLER V; LEIVA, C.J.; REY F; ORTEGA H.H.; SALVETTI NR; BARAVALLE M.E

ZYGOTE

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2019

0967-1994

Ovulation is considered an inflammatory, cytokine-mediated event. Cytokines, which are recognized as 20 growth factors with immunoregulatory properties, are involved in many cellular processes at ovarian level. In 21 this sense, cytokines affect fertility and are involved in the development of different ovarian disorders, such as 22 bovine Cystic Ovarian Disease (COD). Because it has been previously demonstrated that ovarian cells 23 represent both sources and targets of cytokines, the aim of this study was to examine the expression of 24 several cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-1RI, IL-1RII, IL-4 and IL-8, in ovarian follicular structures from 25 cows with spontaneous COD. Protein expression of these cytokines was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. 26 Additionally, IL-1β, IL-4 and IL-8 concentrations in follicular fluid (FF) and serum were determined by ELISA. In 27 granulosa and theca cells, IL-1RI, IL-1RII, IL-1RA and IL-4 expression was higher in cystic follicles than in the 28 control dominant follicles. The serum and FF concentrations of IL-1β and IL-4 showed no differences between 29 groups, whereas IL-8 concentration was detected only in FF of cysts from cows with COD. Besides, the FF and 30 serum concentrations of IL-1β and IL-8 showed no significant differences, whereas IL-4 concentration was 31 higher in FF than in serum in both the control and COD groups. These results evidence an altered expression 32 of cytokines in ovaries of cows with COD, which could contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease.