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. 2008 Nov;60(5):462-73.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2008.00645.x.

The effect of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide and tumour necrosis factor alpha on ovarian function

Erin J Williams  1 , Kelly Sibley, Aleisha N Miller, Elizabeth A Lane, John Fishwick, Deborah M Nash, Shan Herath, Gary C W England, Hilary Dobson, I Martin Sheldon
Affiliations

The effect of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide and tumour necrosis factor alpha on ovarian function

Erin J Williams et al. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2008 Nov.

Abstract

Problem: Pelvic inflammatory disease and metritis are important causes of infertility in humans and domestic animals. Uterine infection with Escherichia coli in cattle is associated with reduced ovarian follicle growth and decreased estradiol secretion. We hypothesized that this effect could be mediated by the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha).

Method of study: In vitro, bovine ovarian theca and granulosa cells were treated with LPS or TNFalpha and steroid secretion measured. In vivo, the effect of LPS or TNFalpha intrauterine infusion was determined by ovarian ultrasonography and measurement of hormones in cattle.

Results: Lipopolysaccharide reduced granulosa cell estradiol secretion, whilst TNFalpha decreased theca and granulosa cell androstenedione and estradiol production, respectively. In vivo, fewer animals ovulated following intrauterine infusion with LPS or TNFalpha.

Conclusion: Lipopolysaccharide and TNFalpha suppress ovarian cell function, supporting the concept that pelvic inflammatory disease and metritis are detrimental for bovine ovarian health.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean ± SEM (a) androstenedione production by theca cells, and (b) oestradiol production by granulosa cells, isolated from (i) small (<4 mm diameter), (ii) medium (4–8 mm diameter) or (iii) large (>8 mm diameter) bovine follicles. Cells were treated with LPS at the concentrations indicated. Cell numbers are shown by the black line on the secondary axis. Steroid concentrations differ from control *P<0.05 within follicle size.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean ± SEM (a) androstenedione production by theca cells, and (b) oestradiol production by granulosa cells, isolated from (i) small (<4 mm diameter), (ii) medium (4–8 mm diameter) or (iii) large (>8 mm diameter) bovine follicles. Cells were treated with TNFα at the concentrations indicated. Cell numbers are shown by the black line on the secondary axis. Steroid concentrations differ from control *P<0.05 and cell numbers differ abP < 0.05, within follicle size.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean ± SEM plasma FSH concentrations for control (■) and treated (□) animals infused with (i) LPS (n = 8 per treatment) or (ii) TNFα (n = 7 per treatment).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mean ± SEM (a) dominant follicle diameter, and (b) plasma oestradiol concentrations, for control (■) and treated (□) animals infused with (i) LPS (n = 8 per treatment) or (ii) TNFα (n = 7 per treatment).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mean ± SEM (a) corpus luteum diameter, and (b) plasma progesterone concentrations, for control (■) and treated (□) animals infused with (i) LPS (n = 8 per treatment) or (ii) TNFα (n = 7 per treatment).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Representative peripheral plasma LH concentration profiles for an animal infused with (a) control or (b) LPS.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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