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The uterine immune system is down regulated when exposed to P4. Five experiments were conducted to determine the in vivo and in vitro role(s) of P4 and prostaglandins in immune function(s) associated with uterine infections. In Exp. 1, postpartum ewes (d 0 = parturition) were supplemented with either OIL or P4 (beginning on d 10) or were SHAM or OVEX. Vena caval blood and lymphocytes were collected on d 14, and 16 to 19. All ewes received intrauterine inoculations of bacteria on d 15 and uteri were collected on d 20. Ewes receiving P4 developed infections. Lymphocytes were incubated with mitogens, PGE2, indomethacin (INDO; a PG synthesis inhibitor) or both in a 3 x 2 x 2 arrangement. Concanavalin A-stimulated blastogenesis in P4-OVEX ewes and PGE2 and PGE2+INDO treated lymphocytes was inhibited (P < .05). Cyclic ewes in their follicular or luteal phase received either intrauterine inoculations of saline or bacteria, vena caval blood was collected for 3 d, and uteri were collected. Lymphocytes were incubated with mitogens, PGE2 (Exp. 2), PGF2alpha (Exp. 3) and(or) INDO in a 3 x 2 x 2 arrangement. Only luteal phase ewes that received bacteria developed infections. In Exp. 2, Con A- and LPS-stimulated blastogenesis was greater for luteal than for follicular phase ewes. T lymphocyte proliferation was inhibited in ewes inoculated with bacteria. T lymphocyte proliferation tended to be higher (P = .09) when incubated with INDO. In Exp. 3, T lymphocyte proliferation in response to PGF2alpha was greater for follicular than for luteal phase ewes. Neutrophils were lower in ewes inoculted with bacteria. In Exp. 4 and 5, uteri of luteal-phase (d 6) ewes were inoculated with bacteria. Ewes received either 15 mg of Lutalyse or saline on d 9, and uteri were collected on d 11. Lutalyse reduced P4, tended to decrease neutrophils, allowed ewes to clear infections, and had no effect on blastogenesis. Methods for modulating uterine prostaglandins seem to reduce susceptibility to uterine infections. / Ph. D.

The effect of dietary fats on reproductive performance, egg quality, fatty acid composition of tissues and egg yolk, and prostaglandin levels in embryonic tissues in Japanese quail (Coturnix, coturnix japonica) were evaluated. The addition of 5.0% chicken fat (CHX), hydrogenated soybean oil (HSBO), menhaden fish oil (MENH) or soybean oil (SBO) to the maternal and paternal diet altered tissue and yolk composition of the hens and tissue composition of the males to reflect the dietary source. Comparisons were made to chicken fat which served as a control. Feeding MENH increased the omega three fatty acid concentrations in liver, heart, testicle, and yolk. Feeding HSBO and SBO increased the omega six fatty acid concentrations in yolk. Feeding MENH and SBO increased the total monosaturated fatty acids in yolk. The concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids were increased by feeding MENH and SBO. Feeding MENH decreased egg production. Feeding MENH and HSBO decreased hatchability. Feeding MENH decreased specific gravity of eggs at day 30, 60, and 90. Feeding CHX increased specific gravity at day 30, 60 and 120. In addition, feeding CHX increased chick weight. Feeding SBO decreased early embryonic death. There were no consistent differences noted in tissue prostaglandin levels of embryos from hens on the differing diets. / Master of Science