Effects of Lactoferrin on Post-breeding Uterine Inflammation in the Mare

Post-breeding endometritis is a normal inflammatory reaction of the uterus to sperm that usually subsides within 48 h. However, in some mares, post-breeding inflammation persists for >48 h and negatively affects fertility. Lactoferrin has been shown to play a key role in modulating the inflammatory process in other species. Our objective was to determine the effects of lactoferrin on the post-breeding inflammatory process of the endometrium. Our hypothesis was that lactoferrin would modulate the inflammatory process post-breeding by altering expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the endometrium. [...]