Intrauterine infusion of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) prior to mating has no adverse effect on fertility, fetal survival and fetal development

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) is a component of the cell wall of gram -negative bacteria and a potent inducer of severe inflammatory reactions. I n mice, systemically administered LPS induces fetal resorption and increase s fetal mortality. However, effects of intrauterine LPS on fertility, fetal survival and development have not been reported. In the present study, pig s were used to determine the effect of intrauterine infused LPS on fertilit y, fetal survival and development. Prior to mating, gilts received intraute rine infusion of either a single dose of saline or increasing doses of LPS in saline using an insemination catheter. On day 30 of pregnancy, gilts wer e hysterectomized and litter size, fetal length, number of corpora lutea (C L), ovarian and placental weights, and allantoic and amniotic fluid volumes were recorded. Blood progesterone levels from days 10-30 of pregnancy were also determined. Results indicated that intrauterine infusion of LPS had n o adverse effects on blood progesterone levels, fertility, fetal survival o r fetal development. Intrauterine injection of LPS did cause an increase in fetal weight and amniotic fluid volume (P < 0.05). These results suggest t hat sperm, oocytes and gametes are tolerant of local LPS challenge and, to some extent, this mechanism protects gametes and conceptuses from maternal response to mating-introduced bacteria and their potential endotoxins. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.