title: Tryptophan supplements promote pregnancy success in mice challenged with pseudorabies virus (PRV) by regulating the expression of systemic cytokines, immunoglobulins, PRV-specific protein profiles, and toll-like receptors.
abstract: Tryptophan (Trp) plays an important role in regulating the maternal immune response, a key determinant of the success or failure of pregnancy, but whether Trp supplements can prevent a pseudorabies virus (PRV)-induced failure of pregnancy remains unknown. This study examined the effect of three dietary Trp levels (0.25%, 0.35%, and 0.5%) on the immunity and reproduction of PRV-challenged pregnant mice. PRV challenge resulted in decreased live embryo numbers, live litter sizes, and serum progesterone and interleukin (IL)-10 concentrations, but increased the levels of serum immunoglobulins (Igs) (PRV-specific antibody [IgG, IgA, and IgM]) and IL-1β. Live embryo numbers, live litter sizes, serum progesterone concentration, and IgG and PRV-specific antibody levels on day 9 of pregnancy were all increased dose-dependently by Trp inclusion in the diet of PRV-challenged mice. Increased Trp levels in PRV-challenged mice promoted the up-regulation of uterine and embryonic indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression, but attenuated the up-regulation of uterine and embryonic Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 and TLR9 expression and increased serum interferon-γ concentration. Collectively, Trp supplements might improve reproductive performance of PRV-challenged pregnant mice by down-regulating TLR expression and pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis, by up-regulating PRV-specific antibody and immunoglobulin synthesis, and by elevating the concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines and progesterone.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China.
authors.forename: Shixiu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Zhengfeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: De
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Lianqiang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Che
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D011558:Herpesvirus 1, Suid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D014364:Tryptophan