Immunomodulation for Enhancement of Fecundity
Immunomodulation for enhancement of fecundity in reproductive disorders of livestock is a new area of immuno-therapeutics. It is mainly used to treat inflammatory conditions of the reproductive disorders such as endometritis, metritis, vaginitis in which the immunity barrier of the host is breached.
Immunomodulation is also done using plant preparations. The normal uterine defense mechanism is brought about by:
- The anatomical barriers which include vulva, vestibule and cervix,
- The physical barrier which includes the cervical-vaginal mucous.
- The contractions of circular and longitudinal uterine muscles that help to propel the microbes outside.
- Chemical barrier which consists epithelial and stromal cells which secrete soluble factors and cause cell to cell adhesions
- Immunological barrier constituted by the cellular immunity comprising of polymorphonuclear inflammatory cells (PMNs), lymphocytes and humoral immunity by antibodies.
An ideal immunomodulator should meet the following criteria:
- It should be nontoxic for animals even at high doses.
- It should not have teratogenic, carcinogenic or any other side effects.
- It should have a short withdrawal period with low tissue residues. It should not be secreted in milk or come in eggs.
- It should stimulate both specific as well as paraspecific immune responses in the body.
- It should act as adjuvant when given with vaccines.
- The immunomodulator or its breakdown products should be either inactive or readily biodegradable in the environment.
Uterine Cellular Immunity
Polymorphonuclear inflammatory cells (PMNs), blood monocytes and tissue macrophytes are regarded as ‘professional phagocytes‘ in the cellular defenses against pathogenic microorganisms.
Phagocytosis involves chemotaxis, adherence and attachment of leucocytes to cell surface antigens presented by the organism before it is ingested by the phagocyte and finally digested.
Uterine Humoral Immunity
Immunoglobulin concentrations in uterine secretions reflect both the extent of the endometrial inflammatory process in the face of microbial challenge.
Immunoglobulins have been found in bovine uterine secretions and their protective role against pathogens have been widely reported.
