Endometrial and circulating immune cell modulation of Th1 and Th2 cytokines by the bovine conceptus along early pregnancy.

• Grant number: 24/12763-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Guilherme Pugliesi
• Grantee: Louisi Almeida Manica
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/14936-7 - Innate immune response to conceptus signaling in early pregnancy in cattle, AP.R

Abstract

New technologies that could reliably detect pregnancy status before day 21 after insemination would allow the opportunity to rebreed cattle at the next estrus event and to improve reproductive performance and profitability of dairy and beef operations. The better understanding of the basic events involved in modulation of the immune system during early pregnancy is the first step for the discovery of novel biomarkers and endpoints for prediction of pregnancy earlier than the traditional methodologies. Therefore, our main goal with the present study is to understand the maternal response to conceptus signaling between days 15 to 20 of gestation, in order to comprehend the modulation of the immune system associated with at an early stage, the gestational status in bovine females. For this, the profiles of specific cytokines involved in the uterine and peripheral response will be determined using an (1) in vivo model based heifer's uterine sampling post mortem on days 15 and 20 of gestation. Also a validated multiplex platform to determine Th1/Th2 cytokines in culture media and plasma will be used. The new knowledge and the innovative methods here proposed will serve as basis for development of new technologies for beef and dairy systems.