Comparative Proteome Analysis of Serum Uncovers Differential Expression of Proteins in Donkeys (Equus Asinus) With Endometritis Caused by Escherichia Coli.
Authors: Li Jing, Zhao Yufei, Mi Junpeng, Yi Ziwen, Holyoak Gibert Reed, Wu Rongzheng, Wang Zixuan, Zhu Yiping, Zeng Shenming
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Bacterial endometritis represents a significant reproductive health challenge in donkey breeding, yet diagnostic approaches lag behind those established in equine medicine. Researchers employed serum proteomics—a non-invasive alternative to uterine sampling—to compare protein profiles between nine jennies with *Escherichia coli* endometritis and nine healthy controls, using nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with data-independent acquisition for comprehensive protein identification and quantification. Of 579 proteins identified across all animals, 12 proteins appeared exclusively in affected jennies, notably myeloperoxidase and Ras-related protein Rab-1B, whilst 11 proteins demonstrated differential expression between groups (7 upregulated, 4 downregulated in endometritis cases), with upregulated proteins predominantly associated with inflammatory cascades and immune response mechanisms. The upregulated serum proteins align with expected inflammatory pathways activated during bacterial uterine infection, suggesting viable candidates for non-invasive diagnostic screening. These findings offer donkey practitioners a potential serum-based biomarker panel for endometritis diagnosis, which could improve early detection and treatment outcomes without requiring invasive uterine sampling, though validation in larger populations and assessment of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity remain necessary before clinical implementation.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Serum protein profiles may offer a convenient, non-invasive diagnostic alternative to uterine flush fluid sampling for detecting bacterial endometritis in donkeys
- •Specific serum proteins (particularly inflammatory markers like myeloperoxidase) could support earlier diagnosis and treatment decisions in clinical practice
- •Results are preliminary in donkeys; further validation studies needed before implementing serum proteomics as a routine diagnostic tool on donkey farms
Key Findings
- •12 proteins were exclusively identified in donkeys with E. coli endometritis, including myeloperoxidase and Ras-related protein Rab-1B
- •11 differentially expressed proteins were detected between healthy and infected groups (7 upregulated, 4 downregulated in endometritis)
- •Upregulated proteins in endometritis-affected donkeys were associated with inflammatory response and bacterial infection pathways
- •Serum proteomics identified potential biomarkers for non-invasive endometritis diagnosis in jennies