title: Serum profile of cytokines interferon gamma and interleukin-10 in ewes subjected to artificial insemination by cervical retraction.
abstract: This study evaluated the influence of artificial insemination (AI) by cervical retraction (CRI) on serum levels of interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in ewes. Synchronized pluriparous Santa Inês ewes were subjected to natural mating (NM, n = 8) and AI, which was performed for a fixed time (55 ± 1 hour) by CRI (n = 8) or laparoscopy (n = 8). Ewes were classified as pregnant, with return to estrus (RE) or with embryonic loss (EL). Blood samples were collected on Day 0, Day 3, Day 5, Day 12, and Day 17 (Day 0 = AI/NM) for progesterone dosage and cytokines were quantified from Day 0 to Day 12. Progesterone levels were constant, except for a decrease in ewes with RE at Day 17 (P < 0.05). Regardless of the reproductive method used, there was no difference in the IFNγ and IL-10 levels at any time, with averages of 642.1, 713.2, and 741.2 pg/mL for IFNγ and 667.1, 616.8, and 721.1 pg/mL for IL-10 when using CRI, laproscopy, and NM, respectively. Regarding the physiological status, ewes with EL had lower serum levels of IFNγ and IL-10 than pregnant ewes and ewes with RE, regardless of the reproductive method used, with averages of 769.1, 714.9, and 555.7 pg/mL for IFNγ and 713.8, 699.3, and 578.7 pg/mL for IL-10 in pregnant ewes, ewes with RE and EL, respectively (P < 0.01). In conclusion, AI by CRI in Santa Inês ewes does not alter the profile of serum cytokines IFNγ and IL-10 and does not induce an inflammatory reaction that can compromise pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Estação Experimental Fazenda Almada, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: C T G
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Alvares
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Reprodução de Caprinos e Ovinos, Departamento de Fitotecnia e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil. Electronic address: jurandirferreirac@gmail.com.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biotecnologia e Genômica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: F Z
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Brandão
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D012756:Sheep / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D016753:Interleukin-10; D011374:Progesterone; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: Embryo loss; Implantation; Inflammation; Sheep; T-helper 1/T-helper 2; Transcervical insemination