@article{hamilton_jimenez_zarei_lection_sorto_hovingh_martinez_bas_barragan_2024, title={Exploring vaginal discharge scoring to assess clinical metritis severity: Comparison between intrauterine dextrose and systemic antibiotics treatments}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106103}, DOI={10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106103}, abstractNote={The objectives of this study were to assess: 1) differences in the metabolic status, systemic inflammation, daily milk yield, and daily rumination time between Holstein dairy cows with different vaginal discharge scores (VDS) in the first 7±3 DIM, and 2) effects of intrauterine dextrose infusion on metabolic status, systemic inflammation, daily milk yield and daily rumination time in dairy cows with VDS4 and VDS5. Cows (n=641) from a farm located in central Pennsylvania were screened at 7±3 DIM (study d 0) to assess vaginal discharge scores. Vaginal discharge was scored using a five-point scale (i.e., 1- clear fluid, 2- <50% white purulent fluid, 3- >50% white purulent fluid, 4- red-brownish fluid without fetid smell, and 5- fetid red-brownish watery fluid). Cows with VDS4 and VDS5 were blocked by parity and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: 1) CONV (VDS4 n=15; VDS5 n= 23): two injections of ceftiofur (per label; 6.6 mg/Kg) 72 h apart; and 2) DEX (VDS4 n=15; VDS5 n=22): three intrauterine infusions of a 50% dextrose solution (1 L/cow) every 24 h. Cows that presented a VDS 1, 2, and 3 were categorized as normal vaginal discharge animals (NOMVDS; n=35) and were randomly selected and matched by parity to CONV and DEX cows. Daily milk yield and rumination time for the first 150 DIM were collected from on-farm computer records. Blood samples were collected to assess haptoglobin (HP) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations at study d 0, d 7, and d 14 relative to enrollment. Subclinical ketosis was defined as having a BHB concentration >1.2 mmol/dL at any of the sampling points. The data were analyzed using the MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures of SAS as a randomized complete block design. When comparing cows with different VDS (i.e., NOMVDS, VDS4, VDS5) separately, cows with VDS5 had the highest concentration of HP at enrollment compared to cows with VDS4 and NOMVDS; however, cows with VDS4 had higher concentrations of HP compared to cows with NOMVDS. Cows with VDS4 or VDS5 had a higher incidence of subclinical ketosis compared to cows with NOMVDS (p=0.005; VDS4= 62.08±9.16%; VDS5=74.44±6.74%; NOMVDS=34.36±8.53%). Similarly, daily milk yield (p<.0001; VDS4=30.17±1.32 kg/d; VDS5=27.40±1.27 kg/d; NOMVDS=35.14±1.35 kg/d) and daily rumination time (p=0.001; VDS4=490.77±19.44 min; VDS5=465±16.67 min; NOMVDS=558.29±18.80 min) was lower for cows with VDS4 and VDS5 compared to cows with NOMVDS at 7±3 days in milk. When analyzing HP concentration between treatment groups in cows with VDS4 (p=0.70), VDS5 (p=0.25), or VDS4 and VDS5 combined (p=0.31), there was no difference in HP concentration by study d 14 between treatment groups. Interestingly, when only cows with VDS4 were considered for treatment, both treatments, DEX and CONV, increased the daily milk yield to the levels of NOMVDS cows by 14 days in milk. On the other hand, when only cows with VDS5 were considered for treatment, cows treated with DEX produced, on average, 4.48 kg/d less milk in the first 150 days in milk compared to cows treated with CONV or cows that had NOMVDS. Similarly, when cows with either VDS4 or VDS5 were considered for treatment, DEX treatment also impaired milk yield. These results suggest that cows with either VDS 4 or 5 have an altered inflammatory status, and decreased milk yield and rumination compared to cows with NOMVDS. Furthermore, DEX treatment may have similar effects on daily milk yield and metabolic status compared to CONV in cows with VDS4, while DEX is not recommended for cows with VDS5.}, journal={The Veterinary Journal}, author={Hamilton, J. and Jimenez, E. and Zarei, P. and Lection, J. and Sorto, R. and Hovingh, E. and Martinez, M. and Bas, S. and Barragan, A.A.}, year={2024}, month={Apr} }
 @article{lection_wagner_byron_miller_rollins_chenier_cheong_amorim_2024, title={Inflammatory markers for differentiation of endometritis in the mare}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/evj.14058}, DOI={10.1111/evj.14058}, abstractNote={Abstract Background Endometrial biopsy is required to diagnose mares with chronic endometritis and endometrial degenerative fibrosis. An increase in understanding of equine reproductive immunology could be utilised to create less‐invasive, time‐efficient diagnostic tools especially when evaluating mares for chronic endometritis. Objectives To evaluate inflammatory cytokine and chemokine concentrations in uterine fluid samples collected by low‐volume lavage (LVL) as a potential screening diagnostic biomarker for endometritis. Study design Prospective cross‐sectional clinical study. Methods Forty‐six mares underwent a LVL and subsequently endometrial biopsy. Mares were split in three groups: healthy, acute endometritis, and chronic endometrial fibrosis (CEF) based on cytological and histological evaluation. A fluorescent bead‐based multiplex assay for IFN‐γ, IFN‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐17, sCD14, TNF‐α, CCL2, CCL3, CCL5 and CCL11 were carried out on the LVL fluid. The endometrial biopsy was utilised for histology and qPCR of IFN‐γ , IL‐1β , IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐17 , TNF‐α , CCL2 and CCL3 genes. Statistical analyses examined differences in inflammatory markers and predictive modelling for diseased endometrium. Results Secreted concentrations of IFN‐γ were lower in LVL fluid from reproductively healthy mares compared with acute endometritis ( p = 0.04) and CEF ( p = 0.006). Additionally, IL‐17, IL‐10, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, CCL2, CCL3, CCL5 and CCL11 were significantly increased ( p ≤ 0.04) in LVL from CEF mares compared with healthy mares. Mares with CCL2 concentrations ≥550 pg/mL (14/14) had 100% probability of having CEF and/or acute endometritis. Healthy mares had lower relative abundance of IL‐17 mRNA compared with mares in CEF group [median (interquartile rage) = 14.76 (13.3, 15.3) and 12.4 (10.54, 13.81)], respectively ( p = 0.02). Main limitations Limited sample size: larger numbers of mares with and without endometritis are required and reference intervals in LVL samples have to be established. Conclusions Inflammatory chemokines and cytokines concentrations differed between healthy mares and mares with acute endometritis or CEF in LVL.}, journal={Equine Veterinary Journal}, author={Lection, Jennine and Wagner, Bettina and Byron, Michael and Miller, Andrew and Rollins, Alicia and Chenier, Tracey and Cheong, Soon Hon and Amorim, Mariana}, year={2024}, month={Jul} }
 @article{jimenez_spring_zarei_martinez_sorto_hovingh_lawhead_lection_barragan_2024, title={Prepartum anti-inflammatory therapies in Holstein dairy cows blocked by parity and body condition score group: Effects on metabolic stress, systemic inflammation, performance, and health}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-24913}, DOI={10.3168/jds.2024-24913}, abstractNote={The objective of this study was to assess the effects of prepartum administration of anti-inflammatory therapies on body condition score (BCS), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration, haptoglobin (HP) concentration, milk yield, milk components, rumination time, clinical health events and reproductive performance in Holstein dairy cows. At 14 d before the expected calving date, cows (PAR; n = 170) and heifers (nulliparous [NUL]; n = 63) were blocked by BCS group (optimal = 3-3.5 [OPT]; over-conditioned cows [OVERC; BCS ≥ 3.75 pts.]) and parity (NUL; PAR) and randomly allocated to one of 3 treatment groups: 1) ASA (n = 78): receive one oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid (4 boluses; 480 grain/bolus); 2) MEL (n = 76): receive one oral administration with meloxicam (1mg/kg of BW), or 3) PLC (n = 77): receive one oral treatment with gelatin capsules filled with water. Body condition score was assessed, and blood samples were collected, weekly starting one week before treatment until 3 weeks after calving. Daily milk yields and daily rumination times were collected from on-farm computer records. Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) monthly test data were collected to assess milk yield, somatic cell counts, and milk components. Furthermore, health events, culling rate, and reproductive performance data were collected from on-farm computer records. The data were analyzed using MIXED, GLIMMIX, and LIFETEST procedures of SAS as a randomized complete block design. On average, MEL-NUL cows produced 4.77 ± 0.93 kg/d and 4.81 ± 0.92 kg/d more milk from wk 6 to wk 21 of lactation compared with ASA-NUL and PLC-NUL cows, respectively. Similarly, there was a week by treatment by body condition group interaction (P = 0.01), where OVERC cows treated with MEL produced more milk from wk 10 to wk 15 of lactation compared with ASA- OVERC and PLC-OVERC cows. Parous cows treated with ASA had lower BCS compared with PAR cows treated with MEL or PLC. A lower percentage of OVERC cows treated with ASA became sick in the first 60 DIM compared with MEL- OVERC and PLC- OVERC cows (ASA = 23.88 ± 7.26%, MEL = 46.36 ± 8.57%; PLC = 46.74 ± 8.53%; P = 0.04). Parous cows treated with ASA had (P = 0.03) a higher hazard ratio to become pregnant by 300 DIM compared with PAR MEL cows. Although the study was not sized for finding treatment differences in blocking criteria groups, these results suggest that treatment with prepartum anti-inflammatory therapies may have positive effects on milk yield and postpartum health in specific groups of cows, such as NUL and OVERC cows, while it may not be recommended for other animal categories, such as parous cows and cows with optimal BCS. Larger studies are needed to strengthen the associations observed in this study.}, journal={Journal of Dairy Science}, author={Jimenez, E. and Spring, J. and Zarei, P. and Martinez, M. and Sorto, R. and Hovingh, E. and Lawhead, J. and Lection, J. and Barragan, A.A.}, year={2024}, month={Aug} }
 @article{byron_lection_foster_chenier_wagner_amorim_2024, title={Prostaglandin-related genes are differentially expressed in equine endometrium with different biopsy grade, degrees of inflammation, and fibrosis}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.07.014}, DOI={10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.07.014}, abstractNote={Prostaglandins have many roles in the equine reproductive tract, including but not limited to luteolysis, luteal support, ovulation, transport through the uterine tube, uterine contraction, embryonic mobility, inflammation, and fibrosis. Altered secretion of inflammatory proteins are likely to disrupt the balance of endometrial function and could impair fertility. Our overall goal was to measure the expression of several prostaglandin- and inflammation-related genes in mares with different degrees of endometrial histological changes. Our hypothesis was that mares with neutrophilic and lymphocytic plasmocytic inflammation, fibrosis, or different biopsy grades would have altered concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and F2α (PGF2α), as well as altered expression of inflammation- and prostaglandin-related genes, compared to mares with minimal to no histological changes on biopsy evaluation. Forty-five endometrial biopsies from estrous mares were assessed by a reproductive pathologist for the degree of neutrophilic inflammation, lymphocytic and plasmocytic inflammation, and fibrosis, and a biopsy grade was assigned based on the Kenney-Doig system. A low-volume uterine lavage was collected from a subset of twenty-six mares prior to biopsy collection and was used to measure PGE2 and PGF2α concentrations via ELISA. Total RNA was extracted from biopsies and mRNA expression was evaluated for twenty-five genes of interest. A restricted maximum likelihood linear model was used to compare differences of mRNA expression, with a statistical significance set at P < 0.05. There was no difference in the abundance of PGE2 or PGF2α between any of the variables tested. Mares with endometrial biopsy grade I had lower expression of NF-kB, PTGS1 and HPGD compared to grade IIA or IIB (P < 0.05). Mares with neutrophilic inflammation had decreased expression of NF-kB, PTGS1, PTGER4, CBR1, mPGES2 and PTGIS compared to mares without inflammation. Mares with mild or minimal endometrial fibrosis had increased expression of mPGES2 and PTGIS, compared to mares with moderate endometrial fibrosis. In conclusion, several genes were identified to be differentially expressed in mares with histological changes compared to mares with no to minimal histological changes. The presence of inflammation and fibrosis may alter the concentration of prostaglandins in endometrial tissue, which could impair many of the uterine reproductive and immune functions during estrus, affecting early embryo survival.}, journal={Theriogenology}, author={Byron, Michael and Lection, Jennine and Foster, Robert A. and Chenier, Tracey and Wagner, Bettina and Amorim, Mariana}, year={2024}, month={Oct} }
 @article{lection_cornelius_moxon_russenberger_amorim_cheong_2021, title={Incidence and risk factors for canine mastitis and metritis in two guide dog populations}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106802}, DOI={10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106802}, abstractNote={Canine mastitis and metritis can cause severe illness but the incidence and risk factors have not been well-studied. Goals in the present study were: 1) report the incidence of mastitis and metritis in a large population, and 2) identify potential risk factors that predispose females to those diseases. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from two guide dog colonies that was collected for 17 and 10 years, respectively, for the two colonies. A total of 3076 whelpings occurred during the respective study periods and data were analyzed. Clinical mastitis was diagnosed in 13.2 % of whelpings (408 cases) with the average day of diagnosis being 16.7 postpartum. Risk factors for mastitis identified were colony, litter size where bitches that had large litter size of ≥9 pups (16.2 %) were 60 % more likely to develop mastitis compared with bitches that had litters of <9 pups (11.3 %). Bitches with congestion of the mammary gland were 4.8 times more likely to develop mastitis compared with bitches without mammary congestion. Case incidence of metritis was small (0.7 % of whelpings) and occurred on average at day-5 postpartum (range 1-16). There were no significant risk factors identified, and this may be due to the small number of metritis cases (22 cases) in the present study. Interpretations regarding metritis, therefore, should be made with caution. The results from this study provide parameters for breeders and veterinarians to identify bitches that may require close monitoring for mastitis and metritis.}, journal={Animal Reproduction Science}, author={Lection, Jennine and Cornelius, Alyssa and Moxon, Rachel and Russenberger, Jane and Amorim, Mariana Diel and Cheong, Soon Hon}, year={2021}, month={Aug} }
 @article{lection_delvescovo_percival_wu_southard_amorim_cheong_2021, title={Malunion of an In Utero Metacarpal Fracture in a Standardbred Mare Presenting for Dystocia}, volume={96}, url={https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103321}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103321}, abstractNote={In utero fracture and malunion of long bones is a rare condition in horses. Most foals with in utero fractures are aborted, and the identification of a fetal in utero fracture in a mare with dystocia has not been reported. A 7-year-old multiparous Standardbred mare presented to a referral center for correction of dystocia. Assisted vaginal delivery and controlled vaginal delivery attempts were unsuccessful mainly because of contracted tendons impeding mutation. As the foal was alive, a cesarean section was elected. The foal was delivered but ultimately euthanized because of the congenital abnormalities. Computed tomography of the right forelimb of the foal along with gross examination and histologic evaluation of the right metacarpus revealed the malunion of a previous in utero fracture. While a few cases have been reported of in utero fracture, many of these were in abortuses and not in fetuses at term, making this case a new presentation and potential etiology for dystocia.}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Lection, Jennine and Delvescovo, Barbara and Percival, Aaron and Wu, Timothy and Southard, Teresa and Amorim, Mariana Diel and Cheong, Soon Hon}, year={2021}, month={Jan}, pages={103321} }