Plasma microRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers in bovine endometritis caused by Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria

The purpose was to identify differentially expressed plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) in cows with clinical and subclinical endometritis. In this study clinical endometritis (CE; n = 23) based on vaginal discharge score (VDS), subclinical endometritis (SCE; n = 17) based on VDS (0), and endometrial cytology (the presence of 8.00% polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) on days 21-31 and 5.00% on days 41-51 days in milk (DIM) and healthy cows (n = 21) based on vaginal discharge score (0), and endometrial cytology (< 5.00% PMN on days 21 31 and < 5.00% on days 41 51 DIM) were selected. The results showed that the expression level of miR-146a was significantly higher in the CE (19.17-fold), and SCE (6.22-fold) groups than those of healthy cows. The relative transcript abundance of miR-223 was considerably down regulated in the CE (0.26-fold) and SCE (0.06-fold) compared to the healthy cows. The expression levels of miR-146a and miR-223 were significantly higher in the CE group which could be caused by Gram-negative bacterial infection. Our results showed that the expression level of plasma miRNAs postpartum could be used as a reliable marker to distinguish between SCE, CE and healthy cows. (c) 2023 Urmia University. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study aimed to identify differentially expressed plasma miRNAs in cows with clinical and subclinical endometritis. The expression levels of miR-146a and miR-223 were significantly higher and lower, respectively, in cows with clinical and subclinical endometritis compared to healthy cows. The expression levels of miR-146a and miR-223 were significantly higher in the clinical endometritis group. These results suggest that the expression levels of plasma miRNAs can be used as reliable markers to distinguish between subclinical endometritis, clinical endometritis, and healthy cows.