Cefquinome concentrations in endometrium after intrauterine treatment of cobactan 4.5% in mares and inflammatory response of the endometrium to this treatment.

The researchers conducted a study to assess the impact of an antibiotic treatment, cefquinome, in the endometrium (uterine lining) of mares (female horses), and to observe any inflammation caused by this treatment. The study revealed that the antibiotic levels were similar in mares treated over one and three days, although, the three-day treatment group maintained higher antibiotic levels for longer periods of time. No significant inflammation was identified following the treatments.

Study Design and Methodology

• The researchers carried out the study involving 14 mares, with the mares randomly triaged into either a control group (n=4) or a treatment group (n=10).
• The control group, which was not subject to antibiotic treatment, either received no treatment or were given lactated Ringer’s intrauterine for one to three days.
• The experimental group was given the antibiotic, cefquinome, intrauterine for either one or three days.
• At least ten days after the last treatment and ovulation, the mares were administered Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and assigned to an alternate treatment.

Data Collection

• Endometrial biopsy samples were collected at 2, 8, 24, and 48 hours or at 4, 12, and 36 hours following the last treatment. The same process was applied to the control group and the group treated with lactated Ringer’s.
• The concentrations of cefquinome in the endometrium were measured using a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) assay.
• The inflammation was assessed using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections.

Study Findings

• In the first hours following treatment (2 and 4 hours), cefquinome concentrations were near the same in both the one-day and three-days treatment groups. However, at 8 hours and later (24 and 48 hours), the levels were significantly higher in the three-days treatment group.
• No significant inflammatory responses were detected between 2 and 48 hours after the treatment in neither of the groups.

Conclusion

• The study concluded that the duration of treatment with cefquinome can affect the length of time the antibiotic remains in the endometrium. Longer treatment allows for higher and more sustained levels of the antibiotic.
• Importantly, the treatments did not appear to incite significant inflammation in the endometrium—indicating the procedure and the antibiotic is relatively safe for use within this framework.