Tissue distribution of some immune cells in bovine reproductive tract during follicular and luteal phase

• Published in: Microscopy research and technique Vol. 81; no. 3; pp. 315 - 331
• Main Authors: Akbalik, Mehmet Erdem, Liman, Narin, Sagsoz, Hakan, Guney Saruhan, Berna, Diaspro, Alberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Animals; bovine reproductive tract; Cattle; CD8 antigen; Cytokines; Eosinophils; Epithelial Cells - cytology; Epithelium; Epithelium - immunology; Female; Follicular Phase - immunology; immune cell; Immune response; Immune system; Leukocytes (eosinophilic); Leukocytes (granulocytic); Localization; Luteal Phase - immunology; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes T; Macrophages; Macrophages - cytology; Major histocompatibility complex; Muscles; Organs; Plasma cells; Population studies; Reproduction; Reproductive organs; Reproductive system; sexual cycle; Stroma; T-Lymphocytes - cytology; Uterus; Uterus - cytology; Uterus - immunology; immune cell; bovine reproductive tract; sexual cycle
• ISSN: 1059-910X; 1097-0029
• DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22983

More recent studies indicate that immune cells which secrete their secretory products or cytokines play an important role in reproductive system. In our study, immune cell populations (CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD68+ macrophages, plasma cells, siderophages, eosinophils) and expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II were examined in female reproductive tract during follicular (n = 13) and luteal phase (n = 10). Plasma cells and eosinophil granulocytes are present in few numbers in luminal epithelium, but abundant in longitudinal muscle layer of uterus, whereas siderophages are the dominant cell type in stroma. Moreover, MHC‐I and ‐II+ cells are expressed by individual cells in organ layers, while CD8+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages are dominant in epithelium and muscle layer, respectively. In conclusion, we did not found significant changes in immune cells according to follicular and luteal phases, but localization and numbers in each organ have changed according to both organ and layers. These results indicate that these factors may play a crucial role not only to generate an immune response but also to have a role in regulation of physiological functions in female reproductive organs. This study was to determine the distribution of immune cells in bovine reproductive tract during sexual cycle that is considered to affect reproductive system. Immune cell localization and numbers in each organ have changed according to both organ and layers. Plasma cells and eosinophil granulocytes are present in few numbers in luminal epithelium. CD8+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages are dominant in epithelium and muscle layer. These cells play a crucial role an immune response in bovine reproductive tract during sexual cycle.