Neutralization of early pregnancy factor at pre-implantation period induced retarded embryonic development at mid gestation

GROSSO MC; BELLINGERI RV; SCHADE R; VIVAS AB

Inmunología

Elsevier

Lugar: Holanda; Año: 2012 vol. 31 p. 106 - 114

0213-9626

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of passive immunization with polyclonal anti-swine Early Pregnancy Factor (EPF) antibody in pregnant rats during the pre-implantation period, and to observe the regional distribution of EPF in placenta of rats. The immunodetection of EPF in ratplacenta, as well as, fertilization, development and immunologic parameters were evaluated. The average number of embryos and the embryo/corpora lutea ratio of treated rats with anti-EPF were significantly lower. There was a decrease in the number and development of embryos treated with specific antibody. IL-10 and INF- serum levels increased, and TGF-! decreased significantly in the group treated with anti-EPF. Positive immunostaining was found in giant and decidual cells, as well as in blood vessels and trophoblastic lacuna cells. This study has provided new results on the functionality and location of EPF, and has revealed the usefulness of swine polyclonal anti-EPF antibody for that purpose.