Expression of inflammation-associated genes in circulating leukocytes and activity of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase in dairy cattle with acute puerperal metritis and bacteremia

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate whether expression of genes associated with inflammation and activity of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) correlated with disease status and prevalence of bacteremia in post-partum dairy cattle with and without acute puerperal metritis (APM). ProceduresBlood was collected from cattle with APM and control cattle matched by parity and days in milk. Leukocytes were isolated and expression of 6 genes was quantified. Activity of IDO was measured in serum with higher performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). ResultsThe relative expression of IL-1β in cattle with APM was significantly lower than that in controls. IDO activity was not significantly different between bacteremic and non-bacteremic cattle Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe expression of IL-1β was lower in cattle with APM. The lower levels of IL-1β expression in PBMCs of cattle with APM suggest impaired inflammatory responses and may contribute to the development of the disease in this population of animals.