High grain diet triggers inflammation in the goat uterus: A comprehensive regulation diet modulates the immune response

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore the causal association between the increase in circulating subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA)-induced lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels and uterine inflammation; moreover this study sought to evaluate the role of a comprehensive regulation diet in combating the inflammatory effects of a high grain diet. Twelve dairy goats were randomly assigned to two groups. One group was provided a high-concentrate buffered diet as the comprehensive regulation group (RG) control while, only a high concentrate powdered diet was fed to the treatment group (TG). The LPS concentrations in the rumen fluid were 428702±34505.6 and 255027±39756.2 EU/mL, in the TG and RG goats, respectively, while, the LPS levels in the peripheral plasma were 0.032±0.003 and 0.012±0.003 EU/mL in the TG and RG goats, respectively. The concentration of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 was significantly higher, and there was enhanced expression of the inflammatory genes TLR4, MyD88, TRAF-6, NF-κB, IL-1β and IL-6 in the uteri of TG goats. SARA increased the NF-κB expression and level of its phosphorylated form in TG goats. The uteri of TG goats showed higher mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory genes than the RG goats, indicating the presence of inflammation. Thus, SARA-induced LPS derived from a high concentrate diet triggers inflammation in the goat uterus by reinforcing TLR4 signaling.