Abstract
Background
Bacterial infections are common in postpartum dairy cows. Cortisol level has been observed to increase in dairy cows during peripartum period, and is associated with the endometrial innate immunity against pathogens like E.coli. However, the mechanism underlying how cortisol regulates E.coli-induced inflammatory response in bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEEC) remains elusive.
Results
Cortisol decreased the expressions of IL1β, IL6, TNF-α, IL8, and TLR4 mRNA in BEEC treated with LPS or heat-killed E.coli, but up-regulated these gene expressions in BEEC stimulated by live E.coli.
Conclusion
Cortisol exerted the anti-inflammatory action on LPS- or heat-killed E.coli-stimulated BEEC, but the pro-inflammatory action on live E.coli-induced BEEC.
Innate immunity and carbohydrate metabolism alterations precede occurrence of subclinical mastitis in transition dairy cows