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Subclinical endometritis (SCE) adversely affects fertility and is a diagnostic challenge in bovine practice. In the present study, it was hypothesized that SCE in cows influence the plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO), lipid peroxide (LPO) and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell functions. Cows with SCE (n,12) were selected on the basis of positive colour reaction of cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM) to Whiteside test, alkaline pH of CVM and presence of > 5% PMN cells in uterine cytology smears. Cows without endometritis served as negative control (n,12). Functions of PMN cells were assessed by estimating superoxide (O2¯) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production ability. Further, to assess the inflammatory status and oxidative stress, plasma levels of NO and LPO were measured. The results revealed that cows with SCE had significantly higher H2O2 (19.70±6.43 vs 2.52±0.71 nmol/2 × 106 cells/30 min incubation) in isolated blood PMN cells as compared to non endometritic cows (P

The article presents a study which examined the effect of subclinical endometritis (SCE) in fertility of crossbred cows in India. The plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO) and lipid peroxide (LPO) were measured while polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell functions were tested by estimating the production ability of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. Findings showed that SCE increases oxidative stress and PMN cell functions in cows.

Background: Toxicodendron pubescens is a botanical name of Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus tox). This plant is widely used in its homeopathically diluted form in the treatment of inflammatory and edematous conditions. In this study, various dilutions of Rhus tox including its crude form have been evaluated for their effects on immune response in the in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Methods: Rhus tox in the form of mother tincture, 6cH, 30cH, 200cH and 1000cH dilutions was tested through in vivo models including sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) induced cellular and humoral immune response in C57/BL6 mice. The effects of Rhus tox dilutions were also evaluated in vitro on the functions of human polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells such as phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Candida albicans, chemotaxis, and reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye. Results: Rhus tox was found to intensify SRBCs induced antibody titer and delayed type hypersensitivity response in mice. Even higher dilutions such as 200cH and 1000cH were found to affect the immune response; however, the crude form, mother tincture, 6cH and 30cH dilutions revealed more potent effects than the 200cH and 1000cH dilutions. In in vitro assays, all the dilutions exerted stimulation of phagocytosis, candidacidal activity and chemotaxis of human PMN cells. The NBT dye reduction assay revealed that oxidative processes in the PMN cells are accelerated in the presence of Rhus tox. This study shows that Rhus tox possesses immunostimulatory activity in its crude form as well as in homeopathically diluted forms. These effects appeared to be concentration dependent as higher dilutions had less potent effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]