title: Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and interleukin-8 in the reproductive tract of ewes following oestrus and mating.
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.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, James Cook University, Solander Drive, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia. jennifer.scott1@jcu.edu.au
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Natkunam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ketheesan
authors.forename: Phillip M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Summers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D014599:Uterus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014621:Vagina / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016209:Interleukin-8; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor