Comparison Between Gynecological Examination Methods and Sample Collection Techniques for the Diagnosis of Endometritis in Subfertile Mares.

This research explores the best methods for diagnosing endometritis in subfertile mares by comparing different examination methods and sample collection techniques. It concludes that, whilst transrectal palpation and ultrasound are effective clinical techniques, integration of multiple methods offers a more accurate diagnosis. Commercial cytobrush/swab collector was found to be the most effective in collecting samples for microbiological and cytological analyses.

Research Background and Aims

• Endometritis, inflammation of the uterus lining, is a significant cause of subfertility in horses.
• Obtaining an accurate diagnosis is critical for determining the most effective treatment.
• This research aimed to identify the most reliable diagnosis method for endometritis by comparing various clinical examinations and sample collection techniques.

Methods and Sample Collection Techniques

• The sample of subjects consists of forty subfertile mares.
• Clinical evaluation techniques included perineal conformation, vaginoscopy, transrectal palpation and ultrasonography, and digital examination of the cervix.
• Laboratory analyses involved uterine microbiological culture and endometrial cytology and histology, with the latter being the gold standard for endometritis diagnosis.
• Three different techniques were used for sample collection: a commercial cytobrush/swab collector, low-volume uterine flush, and a new tested method involving flushing the fragment resulting from endometrial biopsy.

Findings and Conclusions

• The results suggest that transrectal palpation and ultrasound are the most effective clinical examination methodologies.
• However, these methods were found less effective compared to endometrial cytology and uterine microbiological culture tests.
• Integrating multiple test results provided a more accurate diagnosis.
• Also, the commercial cytobrush/swab collector was identified as the most effective method for endometrial material collection for cytology and microbiological culture.

Implications of the Study

• The research shows the importance of combining different methods in the diagnosis of endometritis.
• An understanding of which techniques are most effective is helpful for veterinary professionals when dealing with subfertility in mares.
• The findings also point out areas of further research, such as developing new sample collection techniques that can lead to more accurate diagnoses.