Site-Specific Enrichment of FOXP3-Expressing Regulatory T-Cells in the Bovine Oviduct and Utero-Tubal Junction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.22.5.12Keywords:
Bos taurus, Gene expression, Immune tolerance, Sperm reservoir, T-Lymphocytes, RegulatoryAbstract
The bovine reproductive tract must accept foreign cells while protecting against pathogens. Regulatory T cells expressing FOXP3 are central to this balance. This study investigated whether FOXP3 expression differs among anatomical regions. We analysed tissues from four sites, uterus, utero-tubal junction (UTJ), oviduct ampulla, and ovary, from eight clinically healthy cows at slaughter, restricted to animals displaying follicular-phase ovarian morphology. FOXP3 mRNA was quantified using q-PCR; protein localization was determined using immunofluorescence. Both the oviduct ampulla and UTJ exhibited approximately 4.5-fold higher FOXP3 expression than the uterus. The ovaries displayed levels equivalent to the uterine baseline. This enrichment demonstrated considerable anatomical specificity. FOXP3 is concentrated in the sperm reservoir, where spermatozoa reside awaiting ovulation. This suggests increased FOXP3 expression may represent targeted immunoregulatory investment in zones with prolonged allogeneic contact. These baseline values enable meaningful comparisons in subfertile animals. In the present study, all animals were selected based on follicular-phase ovarian morphology, while as FOXP3 expression patterns during the luteal phase remain to be characterized
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