Effect of leukotriene B₄ and oyster glycogen in resolving subclinical endometritis in repeat breeding crossbred cows

In the present study an innovative attempt was made using Leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) and Oyster glycogen (OG), non-specific immunomodulators, for the treatment of subclinical endometritis (SCE) in repeat breeding crossbred cows. Thirty six subclinical endometritis repeat breeding cows were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (G-I, G-II and G-III). The cows in treatment groups G-I and G-II received single intrauterine (iu) infusion with 50 ml of 30 nmol/L LTB₄ and 10 mg/ml OG, respectively, whereas the cows in G-III served as control. Blood samples collected just before treatment (0 hr), 24 hr posttreatment and at subsequent estrus were assayed for total leukocyte count (TLC), lipid peroxide (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO). Following treatment the recovery rate was assessed at subsequent estrus by determining the pH of cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM), white side test and percentage of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells in uterine cytology. The recovery rate in G-I (83.3%) and G-II (75.0%) was greater (P< 0.05) than in control (16.7%). All the animals were inseminated with good quality of frozen-thawed semen and pregnancy was confirmed after 60 days. A non significant increase in conception rate in G-I and G-II compared to the control was observed following the treatments. Compared to control, the cows in treated groups had greater (P<0.01) TLC at 24 hr following treatment. The infusion of LTB₄ and OG caused significant (P< 0.05) decline in the plasma levels of inflammatory mediators (LPO and NO) from the day of treatment (667.15±42.85, 753.73±32.78 nmol/L and 71.58±2.57, 76.67±4.59 μmol/L) to subsequent estrus (555.56±42.53, 630.88±31.16 nmol/L and 60.00±2.06, 60.08±2.17 μmol/L), respectively. It can be concluded that administration of LTB₄ and OG resolves SCE in repeat breeding crossbred cows and reduces oxidative stress as evident from the lower levels of plasma LPO and NO following immunomodulatory treatments.