Postpartum reproductive failure in cattle: is the examination of the gene expression in the bovine endometrium a way to success?

摘要

A high reproductive performance is required for successful management of dairy farms. After calving, endometritis is one of the main causes of reproductive failure. However, subclinical endometritis remains undetected in many cases and results to a high financial loss. To elucidate the cellular processes in the endometrium, the acquisition of gene expression will provide helpful information. In the literature, numerous cytokines and enzymes have been discussed to play important roles in preparing the endometrium for implantation. This review gives an overview about the present understanding of the functions of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1/COX-2), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), haptoglobin and interleukins 1 and 6 (IL-1/IL-6). Their role is not only to regulate certain physiological processes in the bovine reproductive tract, but to act also as inflammatory mediators in infectious diseases. A better understanding of cellular processes may help in improving the identification and treatment of postpartum reproductive failure..