Identification of anatomic features of the equine clitoris as potential growth sites for Taylorella equigenitalis.

The research covers the anatomy of the equine clitoris, highlighting the potential growth sites for a bacterium that causes contagious equine metritis. It concludes that excision of the lateral clitoral sinuses isn’t necessary in the treatment of this disease.

Understanding the Anatomic Features of the Equine Clitoris

• According to the study, a structure named the median clitoral sinus exists in equine fetuses, ranging from 33-mm crown-rump length (CRL) to 500-mm CRL, including a 21-mm CRL mule. This median clitoral sinus results from epithelial cell segmentation.
• Additionally, during the study of a 480-mm CRL fetus, the researchers identified indentations under the transverse frenular fold as lateral sinuses of the clitoris.
• These lateral sinuses were discovered to be shallow in comparison with the median sinus.

Implications for the Growth of Taylorella Equigenitalis

• The bacterium investigating by this research, Taylorella equigenitalis, is a partial anaerobe known for causing a contagious condition in horses named equine metritis.
• Contrasting the median sinus, lateral sinuses didn’t display sufficient depth from an anatomical perspective to potentially support the growth of Taylorella equigenitalis.
• Thus, the researchers suggest that there is not an anatomical basis to consider lateral sinuses as a potential habitat for the bacterium.

Contagious Equine Metritis Treatment Implications

• The research findings challenge the need for excision (surgical removal or resection) of these lateral clitoral sinuses as part of the treatment plan for contagious equine metritis.
• Rather, the researchers consider this form of treatment unnecessary, potentially suggesting that alternative therapies should be explored.