title: Clearance of bacteria and non-antigenic markers following intra-uterine inoculation into maiden mares: Effect of steroid hormone environment.
abstract: Uterine response to inoculation with Streptococcus zooepidemicus organisms (antigenic markers) and 15-mum microspheres and charcoal (non - antigenic markers) was determined in seasonally acyclic maiden mares treated with either progesterone (P) n = 4, estradiol (E) n = 4 or oil vehicle (C) n = 4. At 3, 7 and 15 d after inoculation with bacteria and the 2 non - antigenic markers, uteri were flushed and the clearance of these materials, as well as the number of white blood cells and immunoglobulin concentration, determined. P-treated mares had higher numbers of bacteria and IgA and a greater volume of purulent fluid in the uterus than E- or C-treated mares at 7 d after inoculation. Clearance of inoculated materials began within 2 h in E-treated mares, and the non-antigenic markers were completely cleared in E- and C-, but not in P-treated mares, in 3 d. This suggests that in the P-dominated uterus, reduced physical clearance may contribute to an increased susceptibility to uterine infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, Lincoln College, New Zealand.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hamer
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Gason
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Asbury
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Irvine