Factors affecting the uterine inflammatory response to semen

Abstract

This manuscript addresses some of the factors that affect the severity of the inflammatory response after breeding. At the time of breeding or insemination the uterus is exposed to seminal components, bacteria and debris. This results in an inflammatory response characterized by the influx of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) into the uterine lumen. A review of the recent literature was carried out in order to take stock of the situation on how age of mare and reproductive status, seminal plasma, insemination dose and site of insemination, type of semen and number and timing of insemination influence this phenomenon. The comparison of the data shown in the studies demonstrates that at least in normal mares there is no disadvantage to insemination more than once in a cycle and if semen is available for two inseminations, then the management of the mares with frozen semen can be similar to that used for cooled semen or those bred naturally.