IL6 and vasculitis: The results obtained in acutely infected bulls agree with previous studies performed in vitro in endothelial cells [13, 14], as pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-1α), PLAT and extracellular matrix-related genes (MMP13, TIMP1) were upregulated in the pampiniform plexus and testicular parenchyma with severe vascular lesions (e.g., vasculitis and thrombosis) and intense inflammatory infiltrate, as described by González-Barrio et al. [11].