Immune responses in the uterine mucosa: clues for vaccine development in pigs

The immune system in the upper reproductive tract (URT) protects against sexually transmitted pathogens, while at same time providing tolerance responses allogenic sperm and developing fetus. uterine environment is also responsive to hormonal variations during estrus cycle, although most likely timing of exposure pathogens breeding when cervix semi-permissive. goal for intrauterine immunization would be induce local or systemic immunity and/or promote colostral/lactogenic that will passively protect suckling offspring. fetus not vaccine target. This minireview article focuses on response induced pig uterus (uterine body horns) with some comparative references other livestock species, mice, humans.