Profile of cytokine gene expression of the endometrium and its relationship to inflammation and fertility in postpartum dairy cows

To clarify the profile of endometrial cytokines and their relation to inflammation and fertility, mRNA expressions of interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, -1 beta, -8, -10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha at weeks (W) 3, 5, and 7 postpartum were compared between Holstein cows without and with cytological endometritis and between early (<= 90 days) and delayed (>90 days postpartum) conception cows. IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-8 expressions at W5 and W7 were significantly higher in cows with cytological endometritis than without. While IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-8, and TNF-alpha expressions decreased from W3 to W5 in all early conception cows, the percentage of cows decreasing these mRNA was significantly lower in delayed conception cows than early conception cows. Evaluating endometrial cytokine expression in dairy cows helps diagnose cytological endometritis and estimate fertility.