Pathogens

Question 1

What is a defensin?

Answer 1

Antimicrobial peptides

Question 2

What are immunoglobulins?

Answer 2

— class of proteins present in the serum and cells of the immune system, which function as antibodies

Question 3

Which immunoglobulins are secreted in the reproductive tract?

Answer 3

IgA IgG IgM

Question 4

. What immune cells are present in the reproductive tract and which ones are involved in the host response against infection?

Answer 4

Leukocytes (NK cells etc.), T helper cells (Th2), cytokines

All the above are involved in host response

Question 5

Inflammation can cause abortion, what host receptors are involved in recognising pathogens and what do they recognise?

Answer 5

Receptors= MHC class I receptors
They recognise= Antigen (epitopes expressed with MHCI)

Question 6

When is non-pregnant cow most vulnerable to immune attack?

Answer 6

Uterus vulnerable in dioestrus (when progesterone secretion increases)- because phagocytic activity of neutrophils in the uterine lumen is reduced and immunosuppressive products are secreted into the lumen.