Association between serum cortisol and progesterone concentrations and the infiltration of immune cells in the endometrium of gilts with vaginal discharge

• Published in: Comparative clinical pathology 2011-12, Vol.20 (6), p.563-571
• Main Authors: Roongsitthichai, Atthaporn, Suwimonteerabutr, Junpen, Kaeoket, Kampon, Koonjaenak, Seri, Tummaruk, Padet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hematology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Original Article; Pathology
• ISSN: 1618-5641; 1618-565X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00580-010-1033-2

The objective of the study was to investigate an association between serum cortisol and progesterone (P 4 ) concentrations and the distribution of immune cells in the endometrium of the gilts with vaginal discharge. Genital organs from 39 Landrace×Yorkshire crossbred gilts culled owing to vaginal discharge problem were collected from two commercial swine herds in Thailand. The estrous stage and gross pathology were examined. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein prior to being slaughtered. Serum P 4 and cortisol were analyzed by means of enzyme immunoassay. The samples observed were in inactive ( n  = 4), follicular ( n  = 10), and luteal ( n  = 25) phases. They, afterwards, were processed in hematoxylin and eosin sections. The endometrium of the gilts was histologically divided into three layers, i.e., epithelial, subepithelial connective tissue, and glandular connective tissue layers. Immune cells, i.e., lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, and plasma cells, in each layer were quantified under a light microscope (×400). The results revealed that mean serum cortisol was 430.6 ± 68.3 nmol/l. Serum P 4 varied by ovarian status. Serum P 4 of the gilts in the luteal phase was higher than those in the follicular phase (88.3 ± 7.7 versus 20.6 ± 6.2 nmol/l, P