Fig. 5

Tissue integrity and cellularity upon stimulation with bacteria. A Evaluation of cytotoxicity by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Explants were stimulated with heat-killed Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus for 24 h. Complete medium alone and DPBS (nutrient starvation) were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Box-plot shows data from 4 independent replicates (4 animals, 1 teat/animal). B Histological analysis of explants stimulated as described in A. Black bars = 20 µm. C–E Analysis of cell populations by flow cytometry. Percentages of leukocytes (C), granulocytes (D) and macrophages (E). Box-plots show data from 4 independent replicates (4 animals, 1 teat/animal). Data were analysed by Kruskal–Wallis test coupled to Dunn’s multiple comparisons test. Asterisks indicate that values differ from control (^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01 and ^***P < 0.001)