STUDIES ON SOME ASPECTS OF NEUTROPHIL FUNCTIONS AND UTERINE DEFENSES IN COWS DURING THE ESTROUS-CYCLE

Some aspects of the bovine uterine defense mechanisms were evaluated over two successive estrous cycles in five adult non-pregnant Friesian cows. Uterine flushings and blood samples were taken from each cow during the estrus and diestrus phases of each estrous cycle. A significant higher percentage of Candida albicans (C. albicans) were phagocytosed (P < 0.01) and killed (P < 0.05) by blood neutrophils during estrus than during diestrus. N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity of uterine flushings, blood neutrophil alkaline phosphatase activity scores, and serum progesterone concentrations during diestrus increased significantly (P < 0.01) compared to those at estrus. Mean total blood leucocyte and monocyte counts increased significantly (P < 0.05) during estrus compared to diestrus. It is concluded, that the different hormonal status has at each stage of the estrous cycle a definite effect on uterine resistance against bacterial infection and a fall in serum progesterone concentrations is associated with an increased ability of blood neutrophils to phagocytose and kill C. albicans.