Page 1142 - Veterinary Immunology, 10th Edition

inflammatory response following invasion of the uterus by large
VetBooks.ir numbers of leukocytes, especially macrophages, neutrophils, and T

cells, late in pregnancy. These cells release a mixture of cytokines,
proteases (especially collagenases), prostanoids, and chemokines.

The cytokines stimulate uterine stromal cells to amplify the process,
and the collagenases remodel collagen, weakening fetal
membranes; soften the cervix; and increase the contractility of the
myometrium. All this leads to fetal expulsion. After delivery, the

uterus involutes as most of the leukocytes leave or are destroyed.

1142