Effects of intra-uterine infusion of lipopolysaccharide on the inflammatory response, endometrial gene expression, uterine health, and reproductive performance of dairy cows diagnosed with vaginal purulent discharge

Abstract

Reproductive failure affects profitability of dairy herds. Vaginal purulent discharge (VPD), a disease that compromises reproductive performance and affects approximately 20% of dairy cows in the USA, is often associated with clinical endometritis (inflammation of the inner layer of the uterus accompanied by bacterial infection). There are no products currently approved in the USA for treatment of VPD. Development of non-antimicrobial treatment of VPD is desirable to reduce antimicrobial use in dairy cows and limit the development of microbial resistance. Lipopolysaccharide (LSP) plays an important role in pathogen recognition, triggering local and systemic inflammatory responses. Intrauterine treatment of VPD positive cows with LPS produced minor alterations in local and systemic inflammatory responses but improved reproductive performance compared with VPD positive untreated cows. Additional experiments are necessary to determine the mechanisms through which LPS treatment of VPD positive cows improves uterine health and environment for the establishment of pregnancy.