Effect of repeated intrauterine infusion of lipopolysaccharides on mastitis in goats

A single infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPSs) into the uterus induces inflammation in the mammary gland. This indicates that LPS can translocate from the uterus to the mammary gland. Natural endometritis is characterized by continuous intrauterine inflammation. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of repeated intrauterine infusion of two different types of LPSs obtained from Escherichia coli O111:B4 (LPS-O111) and O55:B5 (LPS-O55) on the inflammatory status of the mammary glands of goats. Goats were assigned to three groups: LPS-O111, LPS-O55, and saline (control). Saline with (LPS-O111 and 55 groups) and without (control) 100 μg LPS was infused into the uterus continuously for 7 days. Decreased milk yield was detected in both LPS-O111 and LPS-O55 groups 2 days after the first LPS infusion. While somatic cell count (SCC) was significantly increased in all groups 1 day after the first LPS infusion, both LPS infusions further increased SCC 2 days after the first infusion and showed a significantly higher SCC than that in the control group. Plasma LPS-binding protein (LBP) was significantly higher in both LPS groups than in the control group during the days after infusion. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-8, were significantly increased in both LPS infusion groups compared with those in the control group. The LPS-O111 infusion resulted in higher SCC, LBP, TNF-α, and IL-8 concentrations than those in the LPS-O55 group. These results suggest that repeated LPS infusion into the uterus can induce more severe mammary gland inflammation than a single infusion. Interestingly, the mammary tissues recovered from inflammation even though the LPS intrauterine infusion was continued. •Intrauterine LPS infusion causes mammary gland inflammation.