The isolated perfused bovine uterus as a model for mucous membrane irritation and inflammation

Isolated perfused bovine uteri were used to study the irritation potential of antiseptics frequently used in veterinary practice for the treatment of endometritis. Comparable to the isolated perfused bovine udder (Kietzmann et al., 1993), the viability of uteri obtained directly after slaughtering of cows, was tested with the help of biochemical parameters. These parameters of the viability were nearly unchanged over five hours. Thereafter, different antiseptics were tested for their irritation potential on the mucous membrane with the help of the MTT-assay. Here the irritant effect of Lugol's iodine solution is demonstrated exemplarily. An additional study was performed to establish a hemoperfused uterus. An injection of arachidonic acid into the serosa induces a visible inflammatory reaction and a marked increase of the prostaglandin E2 synthesis. In conclusion, the isolated perfused bovine uterus seems to be a promising in vitro model for mucous membrane irritancy as well as for inflammatory reactions.