책임운영기관 농촌진흥청 국립축산과학원 (로고)

After implantation, dramatic shifts in immune cell populations occur in the maternal reproductive tract, and these changes are key to the implantation and pregnancy process in sows. Immune cells, including T lymphocytes, are recruited during the early implantation period, and an accurate balance between Th1 and Th2 is essential for successful implantation. In this study, the concentration of TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and IL-10 (interleukin-10) in early pregnancy were investigated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine Th1/Th2 ratios in oviduct (OVI), endometrium (ENDO), and the uterine mucosal layer (UML) before implantation. Significant differences in IL-10 levels were observed in OVI, ENDO, and UML tissues on day 7 post-implantation (p < 0.01), whereas TNF-α levels were no different. As regards IL-10 and TNF-α ratios, a significant difference was found on day 2 in OVI tissues (p < 0.05). The result of this study supports the notion that the maternal reproductive system accepts the embryo through changes in preimplantation reproductive system-specific pro-/anti-inflammatory mechanisms.