Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in the mammary gland tissue of goats affected with caprine contagious agalactia.
Caprine contagious agalactia is a syndrome most frequently caused by Mycoplasma agalactiae. The pathogenic mechanisms that allow M. agalactiae to persist in the mammary gland tissues following infection, despite a prominent inflammatory response, are yet to be fully established. The aim of the present study was to investigate cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in the mammary gland of goats during M. agalactiae infection. COX-2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in the inflammatory lesions of 10 goats affected with M. agalactiae-induced mastitis (five naturally infected and five experimentally infected). Epithelial cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, fibroblasts and, to a lesser extent, neutrophils demonstrated positive immunostaining for COX-2, associated with areas of mastitis and with the presence of M. agalactiae antigen. These research findings suggest that COX-2 is involved in the inflammatory response that occurs in caprine contagious agalactia.
Unit of Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Tramontaña S/N, 35413 Arucas, Gran Canaria, Spain. Electronic address: frodriguez@dmor.ulpgc.es.
Francisco
F
Rodríguez
Unit of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Tramontaña S/N, 35413 Arucas, Gran Canaria, Spain.
José B
JB
Poveda
Unit of Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Tramontaña S/N, 35413 Arucas, Gran Canaria, Spain.
José R
JR
Jaber
Unit of Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Tramontaña S/N, 35413 Arucas, Gran Canaria, Spain.
Jorge
J
Orós
Unit of Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Tramontaña S/N, 35413 Arucas, Gran Canaria, Spain.
José L
JL
Rodríguez
D000818:Animals; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006041:Goats; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000662:veterinary; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000201:enzymology*; D008413:Mastitis / Q000662:veterinary; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D045644:Mycoplasma agalactiae
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2
Cyclooxygenase; Immunohistochemistry; Mastitis; Mycoplasma agalactiae