A review on inflammation and angiogenesis as key mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of bovine cystic ovarian disease

• Published in: Theriogenology Vol. 186; pp. 70 - 85
• Main Authors: Stassi, A.F., Díaz, P.U., Gasser, F.B., Velázquez, M.M.L., Gareis, N.C., Salvetti, N.R., Ortega, H.H., Baravalle, M.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-07-2022
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - metabolism; Cystic ovarian disease; Cytokines - genetics; Cytokines - metabolism; Dairy cattle; Female; Follicular Cyst - metabolism; Follicular Cyst - veterinary; Inflammation; Inflammation - metabolism; Inflammation - veterinary; Ovarian Cysts - metabolism; Ovarian Cysts - veterinary; Ovarian Follicle - metabolism; Ovulation; VEGF; Cystic ovarian disease; Angiogenesis; Inflammation; Ovulation; VEGF; Dairy cattle
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.04.002

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is an important cause of reproductive failure in dairy cattle. The main aim of this review is to discuss some aspects related to inflammation and angiogenesis that seem to be involved in the development of follicular cysts in domestic animals, with special emphasis on the bovine species, in an attempt to elucidate the relationship between these two processes in the early stages of persistence and in the development of bovine COD. We describe the changes in the expression of cytokines and angiogenic factors that seem to generate disturbances in the intraovarian component underlying the aberrant persistence of follicular cysts. Results show that pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines behave as regulators of angiogenesis through direct and indirect effects, like overexpression of pro-angiogenic factors, particularly in bovine ovarian cells from follicular cysts and persistent follicles. We conclude that, in dairy cattle, an imbalance in the expression of cytokines and pro-angiogenic growth factors related to ovulation and the processes associated with it would contribute to follicular persistence and to the recurrent appearance of COD.
•Inflammation and angiogenesis involved in follicular cysts development in bovines.•Changes in the expression of cytokines and growth factors in follicular persistence and COD.•Intraovarian cytokines behave as regulators of angiogenesis.•Imbalance in the expression of cytokines and angiogenic growth factors in COD.