Histopathological evaluation of uterine structure and immunohistochemical examination of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in cows recovered from metritis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the results of histopathological examination of the uterus of healthy cows and the uterus of cows that have recovered from metritis. Materials and Methods: The study materials obtained from the slaughterhouse were divided into two groups: the uterus of healthy cows (no metritis; Group N; n=10) and uterus of cows that had recovered from metritis about 45 days ago (metritis; Group M; n=10). Sections were taken from the uterus of both groups and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for pathological comparison. In addition, the sections were stained immunohistochemically for the examination of Matrix metalloproteinases 1 (MMP-1) and the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) levels. Results: The uterus showed pathological condition in Group M than in Group N. MMP1 immunopositivity was higher in the luminal epithelium (p<0.01), endometrial stroma, uterine gland (p<0.05) and myometrium sections (p<0.01) of the uterus in Group M compared to Group N. TIMP-1 immunopositivity in endometrial stroma, uterine gland and myometrium sections increased in Group M compared to Group N (p<0.01). Conclusion: In conclusion, it was observed that the negative effects of metritis on the uterus persisted histologically even approximately 45 days after clinical recovery. However, this needs to be investigated extensively because time elapsed between the clinical recovery of the cows and the study may have been insufficient for the uterus to complete histological healing.

Keywords

• Cow
• metritis
• MMP-1
• TIMP-1
• uterus

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