Effects on the Local Immunity in the Testis by Exposure to Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) in Mice

Exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been reported to induce spermatogenic disturbance through oxidant stress and affect the immune system as an adjuvant. However, the effect of DEHP on the testicular immune microenvironment has not yet been investigated. In the present study, we examined the testicular immune microenvironment after exposure to doses of DEHP, previously identified as no-observed-adverse-effect levels. Adult male mice were administered food containing 0%, 0.01% or 0.1% DEHP and then testes were analyzed. The results showed that a slight but significant spermatogenic disturbance appeared in the 0.1% DEHP group but not in the 0.01% DEHP group at 8 weeks. It was also demonstrated that lymphocytes and F4/80- and MHC class II- positive cells were significantly increased with the elevation of IL-10 and IFN-γ mRNA expressions in the testes of not only the 0.1% DEHP group but also the 0.01% DEHP group at 8 weeks. Histochemical analyses involving horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a tracer showed that a little blood-borne HRP had infiltrated into the lumen of a few seminiferous tubules beyond the blood-testis-barrier in both the 0.1% and 0.01% DEHP groups at 8 weeks. This indicates that a dose of DEHP that has little effects on spermatogenesis can change the testicular immune microenvironment with functional damage of the blood-testis barrier.     

Ascorbic acid ameliorates dysregulated folliculogenesis induced by mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in neonatal mouse ovaries via reducing ovarian oxidative stress

Phthalates, including di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), are common industrial chemicals in the environment. Recent evidence indicates that DEHP and its active metabolite mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP) negatively modulate reproductive functions and induce reactive oxygen species. Ascorbic acid (AA) is a dietary requirement for primates, and it acts as a potent free radical scavenger to protect tissues against oxidative stress. In this study, to investigate the toxic effects of MEHP on the follicle development and the beneficial role of AA, neonatal mouse ovaries were treated with different concentrations of MEHP with or without AA for 6 days. Then, the follicle constitution and oxidative status were compared in different groups. Results showed MEHP accelerated primordial follicle recruitment by increasing the percentage of primary and secondary follicles and decreasing the percentage of primordial follicles in the ovaries. Moreover, MEHP-induced ovarian oxidative stress by significantly increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and the expression of GSS and SOD1. When ovaries were co-administrated with MEHP and AA, follicle constitution was normalized, and the oxidative status was significantly decreased. These results suggested that AA ameliorated MEHP-induced ovarian oxidative stress and follicular dysregulation, which attested the clinical significance of AA for ovary protection in the case of MEHP exposure.     

不同年龄恒河猴消化系统的组织学与组织化学研究比较

30只实验用恒河猴分为3组:幼年组(2≤年龄<4)、成年组(4≤年龄<14)和老年组(年龄≥14),每组10只。麻醉放血处死后,采样固定,制作切片,分别用常规HE染色,Gordon-Sweets改良法,VanGieson法,PAS法和阿利新蓝PAS法,核仁形成区相关蛋白(AgNORs)染色等多种组织学与组织化学方法对其消化系统进行组织学观察比较。结果表明不同年龄恒河猴消化系统之间存在结构差异。随着年龄的增长,消化管固有层间质增多、结缔组织增加,壁内消化腺减少,且变性坏死,淋巴组织增生增加。恒河猴肝脏自发性病变随着年龄的增长而程度加深。     

环尾狐猴和松鼠猴触达不同特征目标物的手偏好

以笼养环尾狐猴(Lemur catta)和松鼠猴(Saimiri sciureus)为研究对象,在国际上首次关注原猴亚目(Strepsirrhini)和新大陆猴(Platyrrhini)物种触达不同特征目标物(有生命目标物和无生命目标物)的手偏好表达特点。研究发现:(1)面对有生命和无生命目标物,环尾狐猴和松鼠猴均表现出个体水平上的手偏好,但无群组水平上的手偏好;(2)目标物特征和手偏好之间无显著交互作用。面对有生命目标物,环尾狐猴左手的使用频率高于右手,而松鼠猴则相反;面对无生命目标物,2物种左手的使用频率均高于右手;(3)面对各个类型目标物的手偏好方向和强度,物种间均无显著差异。关于环尾狐猴的研究结果在一定程度上支持任务复杂度假说、姿势起源理论和右脑半球假说,不支持工具使用理论;关于松鼠猴的研究结果在一定程度上支持任务复杂度假说和姿势起源理论,不支持右脑半球假说和工具使用理论。     

Immunopathological effects of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) on swine alveolar macrophages by in vitro inoculation

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), a multifactorial disease, in pigs. Monocyte/macrophage lineage cells, including alveolar macrophages (AMs), are the major target cells for PCV2. Swine AMs are essential for the pulmonary defense system against various pathogens. Concurrent infection of lung with opportunistic pathogens in pigs suffered from PMWS is speculated as a feature of immunosuppression. The present study was conducted to characterize the effects of PCV2 inoculation on swine AMs in the in vitro system. The parameters selected for evaluation included PCV2 antigen- and nucleic acid-containing rate, viability, TUNEL-positive rate, phagocytosis, microbicidal capability, and capacity for production of reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion, O₂⁻, and hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂), cytokines, and chemokines. High intracytoplasmic PCV2 antigen- and nucleic acid-containing rate, absence of intranuclear signals for PCV2 antigen and nucleic acid, and lack of noticeable cell death were seen in PCV2-inoculated AMs. The PCV2-inoculated AMs displayed a transient as well as persistent reduction in the up-take and destruction of Candida albicans, respectively, accompanied by decrease in the production of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂. In PCV2-inoculated AMs, the levels of tumor necrosis- (TNF-) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were significantly increased; the mRNA expression levels of alveolar macrophage-derived neutrophil chemotactic factors-II (AMCF-II), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and IL-8 were strongly up-regulated. The reduced phagocytosis and microbicidal capability in conjunction with decreased production of reactive oxygen species in PCV2-inoculated AMs suggest that PCV2-containing AMs may favor the survival and spread of PCV2. It is speculated that the functional alterations observed in PCV2-containing AMs may be potentially harmful to the lung tissue and local pulmonary defense system, especially in those PCV2-infected pigs conditioned by various PMWS development-dependent co-factors.     

猪IL-2对pcDNA-E39.VP2真核共表达质粒免疫原性的影响

为了研究猪IL-2基因的真核质粒和融合基因形式对pcDNA-E39.VP2真核共表达质粒的免疫增强作用,分别将IL-2基因插入pcDNA3.1(+)和pcDNA-E39.VP2(已构建)中构建重组质粒pcDNA-IL2和pcDNA-IL2-E39.VP2。将真核质粒pcDNA-IL2-E39.VP2免疫小鼠,另外,将pcDNA-IL2分别先于和后于pcDNA-E39.VP2 3d免疫小鼠,同时设pcDNA-E39.VP2对照组。对免疫小鼠进行PPV(JEV)抗体水平、脾脏淋巴细胞增殖功能和外周血T淋巴细胞亚群变化的检测。结果显示,1周后,pcDNA-IL2-E39.VP2免疫组和pcDNA-IL2后于pcDNA-E39.VP注射的免疫组JEV/PPV抗体水平和脾脏淋巴细胞增殖活性显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)高于对照组,pcDNA-IL2先于pcDNA-E39.VP注射的免疫组仅在第5周显著(P<0.05)高于对照组;各组(除对照组外)CD8+值差异不显著(P>0.05),CD4+、CD4/CD8值都高于对照组,其中pcDNA-IL2-E39.VP2免疫组与对照组差异极显著(P<0.01)。结果...     

多角体蛋白基因核苷酸序列对HBsAg(PreS2+S)在家蚕中表达的作用

应用PCR突变的方法 ,在乙肝病毒表面抗原 (HBsAg)前S2序列的 5’端融合了BmNPV多角体蛋白基因5’端的 12个碱基 ,获得了融合乙肝表面抗原中蛋白基因 (HBMp) ;通过同源重组将其插入到BmNPV基因组多角体启动子后 ,构建了重组杆状病毒BmPAK HBMp。用重组病毒BmPAK HBMp和BmPAK HBM(带有非融合乙肝表面抗原中蛋白基因 )感染家蚕细胞及蛹 ,对两种病毒的表达产物用ELISA进行了跟踪检测 ,结果表明融合蛋白比非融合蛋白HBsAg活性提高了 6 0 %～ 80 % ,作为HBsAg构成部分的PreS2抗原性提高了 8～ 10倍 ;并且HBsAg和PreS2 Ag表达的时相曲线不同 ,PreS2 Ag的表达量比HBsAg早 1～ 2d达到最大值。ELISA检测和Westernblotting分析表明 ,多角体基因序列的存在更有利于中蛋白全基因 (PreS2 +S)的表达。     

抗菌肽Temprine-La(FS)抑制2型猪链球菌生物被膜形成的研究

试验旨在研究抗菌肽Temprine-La(S)(T-La(S))、Temprine-La(FS)(T-La(FS))、RGD-T-La(S)和RGD-T-La(FS)对2型猪链球菌(SS2)生物被膜形成的抑制作用。通过结晶紫染色法(CV)检测SS2生物被膜形成能力;微量稀释法测定抗菌肽对SS2生物被膜的最小生物被膜抑菌浓度(MBIC)和最小生物被膜杀菌浓度(MBEC);结晶紫染色法和扫描电镜(SEM)检测抗菌肽对SS2生物被膜形成的影响;XTT法检测抗菌肽对SS2生物被膜代谢活性的影响;苯酚硫酸法检测抗菌肽对SS2生物被膜胞外多糖含量的影响;建立猪链球菌-斑马鱼感染模型,HE染色法观察T-La(FS)对斑马鱼脑组织病理变化的影响;实时荧光定量PCR法分析抗菌肽对SS2生物被膜相关基因及对斑马鱼炎性细胞因子基因转录水平的影响。结果显示,SS2具有良好的生物被膜形成能力;T-La(S)、RGD-T-La(S)、T-La(FS)和RGD-T-La(FS)对SS2生物被膜的MBIC分别为31.3、15.6、7.8和15.6μg/mL;MBEC分别为62.6、31.2、15.6和31.2μg/mL;结晶紫染色结果表明,抗菌肽对SS2生物被膜的形成有抑制作用;扫描电镜结果显示,抗菌肽使SS2生物被膜中的细菌数量和生物被膜的形态发生明显变化,细胞外基质大量减少;XTT法结果显示,抗菌肽可显著降低SS2生物被膜的代谢活性;苯酚硫酸法结果显示,抗菌肽能有效抑制SS2生物被膜合成胞外多糖;实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,抗菌肽作用后降低了SS2生物被膜基因的转录水平;T-La(FS)作用后TLR2、MyD88及促炎性细胞因子基因的转录水平显著或极显著降低(P<0.05;P<0.01),抗炎性细胞因子基因的转录水平显著或极显著升高(P<0.05;P<0.01)。抗菌肽主要通过影响生物被膜相关基因转录水平和阻断胞外多糖的合成与分泌来抑制SS2生物被膜的形成,其中T-La(FS)可能通过抑制TLR2信号通路中TLR2和MyD88分子表达,抑制炎性细胞因子的释放,减轻脑膜炎的炎性反应。     

抗菌肽Temprine-La(FS)抑制2型猪链球菌生物被膜形成的研究

试验旨在研究抗菌肽Temprine-La（S）（T-La（S））、Temprine-La（FS）（T-La（FS））、RGD-T-La（S）和RGD-T-La（FS）对2型猪链球菌（SS2）生物被膜形成的抑制作用。通过结晶紫染色法（CV）检测SS2生物被膜形成能力;微量稀释法测定抗菌肽对SS2生物被膜的最小生物被膜抑菌浓度（MBIC）和最小生物被膜杀菌浓度（MBEC）;结晶紫染色法和扫描电镜（SEM）检测抗菌肽对SS2生物被膜形成的影响;XTT法检测抗菌肽对SS2生物被膜代谢活性的影响;苯酚硫酸法检测抗菌肽对SS2生物被膜胞外多糖含量的影响;建立猪链球菌-斑马鱼感染模型,HE染色法观察T-La（FS）对斑马鱼脑组织病理变化的影响;实时荧光定量PCR法分析抗菌肽对SS2生物被膜相关基因及对斑马鱼炎性细胞因子基因转录水平的影响。结果显示,SS2具有良好的生物被膜形成能力;T-La（S）、RGD-T-La（S）、T-La（FS）和RGD-T-La（FS）对SS2生物被膜的MBIC分别为31.3、15.6、7.8和15.6 μg/mL;MBEC分别为62.6、31.2、15.6和31.2 μg/mL;结晶紫染色结果表明,抗菌肽对SS2生物被膜的形成有抑制作用;扫描电镜结果显示,抗菌肽使SS2生物被膜中的细菌数量和生物被膜的形态发生明显变化,细胞外基质大量减少;XTT法结果显示,抗菌肽可显著降低SS2生物被膜的代谢活性;苯酚硫酸法结果显示,抗菌肽能有效抑制SS2生物被膜合成胞外多糖;实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,抗菌肽作用后降低了SS2生物被膜基因的转录水平;T-La（FS）作用后TLR2、MyD88及促炎性细胞因子基因的转录水平显著或极显著降低（P<0.05;P<0.01）,抗炎性细胞因子基因的转录水平显著或极显著升高（P<0.05;P<0.01）。抗菌肽主要通过影响生物被膜相关基因转录水平和阻断胞外多糖的合成与分泌来抑制SS2生物被膜的形成,其中T-La（FS）可能通过抑制TLR2信号通路中TLR2和MyD88分子表达,抑制炎性细胞因子的释放,减轻脑膜炎的炎性反应。     

家蚕体形突变第2数珠蚕(mf-2)的遗传学研究

经X射线诱导发现的家蚕体形突变第2数珠蚕(mf-2)在形态上与数珠蚕(mf:12-39.8)相似。通过二者间的杂交实验表明,mf-2与mf为独立遗传;与各染色体的标记基因进行连锁分析,发现mf-2与第15染色体的眼纹全黑(bl:15-0.0)连锁,说明mf-2基因属于第15连锁群;初步测定mf-2与bl间的遗传距离为27.7 cM。     

Promoting Effects of Sucrose-rich Diet on N-Nitrosobis (2-oxopropyl) amine-induced Pancreatic Carcinogenesis in Hamsters

It has been reported that there is an association between pancreatic cancer and obesity, impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes based on excess dietary fat and sugar intakes. A number of studies have suggested that a high-fat diet increases development of carcinomas in various organs and possible risk factors for pancreatic cancer. However, how an excess sugar intake promotes pancreatic carcinogenesis is still unknown. In the present study, we investigated the influence of an excess sugar intake on pancreatic carcinogenesis by administration of a sucrose-rich diet in which starch was replaced by sucrose in order to contain the same calories and other nutrients. Two similar experiments were performed. Six-week-old male Syrian golden hamsters were given N-nitrosobis (2-oxopropyl) amine (BOP) at a dose of 50 and 20 mg/kg body weight as a carcinogen in Week 0 and 1, respectively. In Week 2, the animals were divided into control and experimental groups. In experiment 1, 15 animals received a control diet or sucrose-rich diet in which 100% of the starch was replaced by sucrose, respectively. Since five animals fed on the sucrose-rich diet died by Week 12, the diet was changed to a sucrose-rich diet in which 50% of the starch was replaced by sucrose. In experiment 2, 15 animals received a control diet or sucrose-rich diet in which 50 or 20% of the starch was replaced by sucrose, respectively. All animals were sacrificed 25 weeks after the start of the experiment, and histological examination of the pancreas was performed. No significant difference was seen in the body weight at the end of the experiment. There were no significant differences in the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels between the control and sucrose-rich diet groups in experiments 1 and 2. The incidence and number of carcinomas increased in hamsters fed the sucrose-rich diet compared with the control diet in experiments 1 and 2. These results suggest that an excess sucrose intake may promote the development of pancreatic cancer in hamsters.     

小肽对大黄鱼仔鱼生长和小肠发育的影响及其在低温胁迫下的抗氧化应激效应

本试验分为生长试验和低温胁迫试验2部分.先分别投喂大黄鱼(Larimichthys cro-cea)仔鱼经不同浓度(0、0.5、1.0、2.0和3.0 mL/m3)小肽营养强化后的轮虫和卤虫12 d,以探讨小肽对大黄鱼仔鱼生长和小肠发育的影响;再将大黄鱼仔鱼暴露在温度为12℃的水体中24 h,以探讨小肽对低温胁迫下大黄...     

中国首例兔出血症病毒2型(RHDV2/b/GI.2)的鉴定及病理学观察

本试验旨在鉴定四川金堂某兔场疑似兔出血症病毒2型（RHDV2）感染疫情的病原,并分析病兔的病理组织学变化。利用血凝试验和RT-PCR检测病死兔内脏组织中的病原,取病变组织制作病理切片,观察分析各组织的病理组织学变化,同时应用病兔肝脏悬液感染幼兔,分析该毒株的致病力。血凝试验结果显示,所采集病死兔肝脏样品能凝集人"O"型血红细胞;RT-PCR扩增及测序结果显示,多对引物均能从样品中扩增出RHDV2特异性条带;病理组织学观察结果显示,病兔多脏器严重出血、肿胀,淋巴细胞和中性粒细胞大量浸润,气管黏膜、肝脏、肺脏出血尤为严重;动物试验结果显示,该毒株毒力较强,含毒肝脏悬液能在24 h内迅速致死幼兔。本研究经临床诊断、核酸检测及测序证实了此次疫情确由RHDV2感染引起,动物试验和病理组织学观察表明该毒株毒力较强,可引发脏器严重出血,造成病兔急性死亡,RHDV2的出现提示病毒的跨境传播情况不容乐观,应引起更大的重视。     

1,25(OH)2D3以双向方式影响猪前体脂肪细胞增殖分化的研究

1,25（OH）₂D₃是维生素D的主要活性形式,影响人和动物脂肪形成,为探究其在猪脂肪细胞增殖分化中的作用,试验从3~5日龄仔猪皮下脂肪组织分离培养前体脂肪细胞,并以浓度为0、0.1、1、10、100和1 000 nmol/L的1,25（OH）₂D₃分别处理,在培养的0、1、2、4、6、8和10 d采用MTT比色法检测细胞增殖活性;在诱导分化后0、1、2、4、6、8和10 d,以油红O染色提取法和实时荧光定量PCR检测细胞成脂分化及分化标志基因过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ（PPARγ）和脂肪酸合成酶（FAS）表达。结果显示,0.1和1 nmol/L 1,25（OH）₂D₃显著促进猪前体脂肪细胞增殖（P<0.05）,而浓度为10~100 nmol/L时则抑制细胞增殖（P<0.05）;0.1和1 nmol/L 1,25（OH）₂D₃显著抑制猪前体脂肪细胞分化（P<0.05）,降低PPARγ和FAS mRNA表达水平（P<0.05）,但在浓度为10和100 nmol/L时,显著促进猪前体脂肪细胞分化（P<0.05）,上调PPARγ和FAS mRNA表达（P<0.05）;浓度达1 000 nmol/L时,可能对细胞有毒性作用。综合以上结果,低浓度1,25（OH）₂D₃促进猪前体脂肪细胞增殖,而通过下调PPARγ表达抑制分化;高浓度1,25（OH）₂D₃抑制猪前体脂肪细胞增殖,通过上调PPARγ表达促进分化。1,25（OH）₂D₃对猪前体脂肪细胞增殖和分化具有双向作用。     

Expression,location and biological effects of four and a half LIM domain protein 2 (FHL2) on granulosa cells in ovine

Previous studies have shown that four and a half LIM domain protein 2 (FHL2) plays an essential role in the regulation of follicular development in mammals. Although the FHL2 genes of human and mouse have been well characterized, the expression and location of FHL2 in ovary and the biological functions of FHL2 on granulosa cells (GCs) of ovine are still not clear. In this study, full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) of FHL2 from ovine follicular GCs was amplified by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). The expression and location of FHL2 in ovary and GCs of ovine were studied by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and the biological effects of FHL2 on the cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, cell cycles and expression level of related genes of ovine GCs were also explored by overexpression or knockdown of FHL2. The results indicated that FHL2 was expressed in ovine follicular GCs and the sequence of the FHL2 cDNA was consistent with that predicted in GenBank, which did not cause an amino acid change. According to the results, FHL2 was expressed in ovine ovary and mainly located in the cytoplasm and nucleus of GCs. In addition, overexpression of FHL2 significantly reduced the cell viability, promoted the cell apoptosis and decreased the percentage of G0/G1 and S phase cells. RT-PCR showed that overexpression of FHL2 significantly increased the mRNA expression level of Bax and decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and the Bcl-2/Bax mRNA ratio compared with the control group. Besides, the knockdown of FHL2 gene in ovine GCs significantly improved the cell viability, suppressed the cell apoptosis, decreased the mRNA expression level of Caspase-3 gene, increased the Bcl-2/Bax mRNA ratio and increased the percentage of S and G2/M phase cells. Our results suggest that FHL2 may play an important role in the biological functions of GCs in ovine.     

液体蛋氨酸羟基类似物对蛋鸡生产性能、鸡蛋品质、养分利用率和血液生化指标的影响

试验用38周龄健康的罗曼粉壳蛋鸡600只,经饲喂玉米-豆粕-麦麸型基础日粮(蛋氨酸0.22%、蛋氨酸+胱氨酸0.48%)10d后,随机分为4个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复30只蛋鸡。处理1为对照组,饲喂基础日粮;处理2在每千克基础日粮中添加1.325gDL-Met;处理3和处理4以液体蛋氨酸羟基类似物(HMB,活性物质88%)在等摩尔基础上按100%或50%分别替代处理2的DL-Met。试验期10周。试验结果表明:在基础饲粮中添加DL-Met以满足高产蛋鸡的蛋氨酸需要可提高3～10周的产蛋率,并极显著地提高了3～10周的蛋重、日产蛋重、干物质、钙、磷和粗蛋白的表观代谢率(P<0.01),极显著降低了饲料转化率比(P<0.01),对采食量、鸡蛋蛋形指数、破蛋率、软蛋率、蛋黄重、蛋黄比例、哈氏单位、蛋壳重、蛋壳厚度、蛋壳强度、鸡蛋水分和粗蛋白含量无显著影响(P>0.05)。在等摩尔基础上HMB以100%或50%替代DL-Met,对蛋鸡生产性能、鸡蛋品质和养分代谢率的影响与DL-Met无显著差异。结果表明在蛋鸡玉米-豆粕-麦麸型饲粮中HMB的生物学效价与DL-Met相同。     

Effects of tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate on epididymal sperm parameters in adult male rats

Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) is widely used as a flame retardant and is known to exhibit anti-androgenic effects in vitro and in vivo. To assess the reproductive toxicity potency of TDCIPP, we investigated the effects of 7 days of TDCIPP oral administration on epididymal sperm motion and concentration in adult male Wistar–Imamichi rats. Thirty-five days after the final administration, sperm parameters were evaluated by computer-assisted sperm analysis. Results showed that sperm swimming progression and vigor and sperm concentration in TDCIPP-treated rats were unexpectedly higher than those in control rats. TDCIPP did not significantly affect the percentage of motile sperms or sperm swimming pattern. These results contribute to the understanding of the biological effects of TDCIPP.     

Effect of type of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid supplement (corn oil or fish oil) on immune responses in healthy horses

The objective of this study was to compare effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation (corn oil or fish oil) on selected immune responses in normal horses. Two groups of horses (n = 5) were randomly assigned a dietary supplement with either 3.0% corn oil or fish oil for a period of 14 weeks. Plasma fatty acid profiles were monitored to ensure uptake of dietary fatty acids. Cell-mediated immunity was assessed by a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), and humoral immunity was assessed by measuring antibody titers to KLH. Production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and phagocytosis of latex beads by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells were also assessed. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BALF cells from horses fed corn oil showed a higher production of PGE2 compared with those from horses fed fish oil at 6 and 12 weeks. Production of TNF-alpha by LPS-stimulated BALF cells was higher in both groups of horses at 6, 8, and 12 weeks compared with pretrial values, and phagocytic activity of BALF cells was higher at 8 and 12 weeks, however, there were no differences between the 2 groups of horses. The DTH skin test and antibody titers to KLH revealed no differences between horses fed corn or fish oil. Based on these studies, dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate the inflammatory response of horses. Both fatty acid supplements increased production of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, whereas only corn oil increased production of the proinflammatory eicosanoid PGE2 by LPS-stimulated BALF cells. It is possible that fish oil, because it did not increase production of PGE2, could have value in the treatment of equine recurrent airway obstruction or other equine inflammatory diseases.