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Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2025; 60(3); e70040; doi: 10.1111/rda.70040

Alterations in the Vaginal Vascular Perfusion, Chromoendoscopy and Oxidative Stress in Mares With Vaginitis and Endometritis.

Abstract: This study aimed to demonstrate the vaginal tissue alterations via vaginal biopsy and hemodynamic alterations by introducing chromoendoscopy to analyse the effect of equine vaginitis on the oxidative and hormonal profile. Mares were divided into normal mares (N = 10) and affected mares (N = 10). Animals were subjected to Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation, endoscopic examination, oxidative stress was estimated, and biopsy samples were taken for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Uterine body (UB) thickness (mm), circumference (mm) and area (mm) elevated significantly in infected mares. Vaginal vascularization area elevated in the infected animals. The pattern was determined using pulsed wave Doppler. Both Doppler indices and systolic velocity declined significantly in both arteries (pudendal artery [vestibular B] and vaginal artery blood flow) in the infected group. Estradiol, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and nitric oxide metabolites (NOMs) were significantly affected by the infection in mares. A significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) associated with a significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was observed in the vaginal fluid of affected animals. Chromoendoscopic examination revealed hypervisible inflamed os-cervix and vaginal wall. After methylene blue (MB) addition, there was bluish discolouration of the os-cervix, faint and deep bluish discolouration of the vaginal mucosa. The vaginitis group had a corrugated deep bluish colour in the mucosa. The expression of NF-κβ P65 was not observed in control; however, it was expressed in the mononuclear cells infiltrating the submucosa of the vagina of the affected animal. In conclusion, Equine vaginitis is associated with decline in both Doppler indices with elevation of MDA and a declination of TAC, in addition to hyper-visible inflamed os-cervix and vaginal wall by endoscopy and expression of NF-κβ P65.
© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-20 PubMed ID: 40110703DOI: 10.1111/rda.70040Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study examines how equine vaginitis affects both the vaginal tissue and the oxidative and hormonal balance in mares. Using various methods, it was found that infected mares had increased vaginal vascularization, thickness, circumference, and area of the uterine body, reduced Doppler indices and systolic velocity in both the pudendal and vaginal artery blood flow, changes in estradiol, insulin-like growth factor, and nitric oxide metabolites, and increased malondialdehyde with decreased total antioxidant capacity in the vaginal fluid.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved 20 mares, half of which were normal and the other half affected by equine vaginitis and endometritis.
  • All animals underwent Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation, endoscopic examination, oxidative stress estimation, and biopsy for histopathology and immunohistochemistry.
  • Analysis of the uterine body thickness, circumference, and area, along with the vaginal vascularization area, was conducted using pulsed wave Doppler.
  • The effect of the infection on estradiol, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and nitric oxide metabolites was also examined. Additionally, the levels of malondialdehyde (indicator of oxidative stress) and total antioxidant capacity in the vaginal fluid were monitored.
  • Chromoendoscopic examination was used to observe any visual changes in the os-cervix and vaginal wall, including colour alterations following the addition of methylene blue (MB).

Key Findings

  • The infection in mares was linked to a significant increase in the uterine body (UB) thickness, circumference and area, and vaginal vascularization area.
  • There was a notable decrease in Doppler indices and systolic velocity in both the pudendal artery [vestibular B] and vaginal artery blood flow in the infected horses.
  • Levels of estradiol, IGF-1, and nitric oxide metabolites were significantly affected by the infection. Specifically, infected horses displayed higher levels of malondialdehyde (signifying increased oxidative stress) and lower total antioxidant capacity in their vaginal fluid.
  • Using chromoendoscopy, researchers observed hyper-visible inflammation in the os-cervix and vaginal wall, with the affected vagina showing deep bluish discoloration after the application of MB.
  • The protein NF-κβ P65, not present in the control group, was expressed in the mononuclear cells infiltrating the submucosa of the vagina in infected horses.
  • The findings suggest that equine vaginitis is associated with changes in vascular and oxidative processes as well as inflammation-induced tissue modifications.

Cite This Article

APA
Abdelnaby EA, ElKader NAA, Yehia SG, Salem NY, Ramadan ES, Khattab MS, Farghali HA, Emam IA. (2025). Alterations in the Vaginal Vascular Perfusion, Chromoendoscopy and Oxidative Stress in Mares With Vaginitis and Endometritis. Reprod Domest Anim, 60(3), e70040. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.70040

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 60
Issue: 3
Pages: e70040

Researcher Affiliations

Abdelnaby, Elshymaa A
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
  • Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
ElKader, Naglaa A Abd
  • Department of Surgery, Anaesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Yehia, Shimaa G
  • Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Salem, Noha Y
  • Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Ramadan, Eman S
  • Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Khattab, Marwa S
  • Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Farghali, Haithem A
  • Department of Surgery, Anaesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Emam, Ibrahim A
  • Department of Surgery, Anaesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Vagina / blood supply
  • Horse Diseases / metabolism
  • Vaginitis / veterinary
  • Endometritis / veterinary
  • Endoscopy / veterinary
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler / veterinary
  • Malondialdehyde / analysis
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / analysis
  • Estradiol / metabolism
  • Estradiol / blood

Grant Funding

  • this study did not receive any funding

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