Inflammatory mechanisms of endometritis.
Abstract: Transient post breeding endometritis is a normal physiological reaction in the mare, as it is believed that an inflammatory response is necessary for the effective removal of contaminating bacteria and excess spermatozoa introduced into the uterus. While most mares can clear endometritis within a reasonable amount of time, persistent endometritis caused by either bacteria or spermatozoa can threaten the success of a pregnancy. A subpopulation of mares is susceptible to persistent endometritis, and these mares are a concern in equine reproductive medicine. Research has identified several factors that contribute to susceptibility; however, the exact mechanisms of the progression of the disease are still being elucidated. Current research focuses on endometrial gene expression during endometritis in an attempt to understand the timing of specific inflammatory processes involved with the development of susceptibility to persistent endometritis. With an increased understanding of the mechanisms involved with the disease, current treatments can be improved upon, and new treatments can be developed to target affected pathways.
© 2015 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2015-04-03 PubMed ID: 25537084DOI: 10.1111/evj.12403Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
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- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review
Summary
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The research focuses on understanding the mechanisms in horses that cause a persistent form of inflammation of the uterus called endometritis. The study aims to improve existing treatments or develop new ones.
Introduction to Endometritis in Mares
- Endometritis is an inflammation of the uterus, often resulting from either excess bacteria or spermatozoa introduced to the uterus through breeding.
- A transient bout of endometritis post-breeding is normal and is a necessary part of the breeding process as it helps eliminate excess bacteria and sperm. However, if inflammation persists, it can potentially hamper successful pregnancy.
- There is a subset of mares that are susceptible to persistent endometritis and pose challenges in equine reproductive medicine.
Research on Understanding the Underlying Mechanisms
- The research has identified multiple factors contributing to a mare’s susceptibility to persistent endometritis, but the precise mechanisms resulting in this disease progression are still under study.
- Current research is focusing on understanding the timing of specific inflammatory processes contributing to susceptibility to persistent endometritis by studying endometrial gene expression during the disease.
Improvement of Current Treatments and Development of New Treatments
- With enhanced understanding of the inflammatory mechanisms contributing to persistent endometritis, current treatments for this disease can be considerably improved.
- Additionally, newly developed treatments could potentially target specific affected pathways. This is believed to be a more effective way of addressing the disease since it takes into consideration the underlying causes and not just the symptoms.
Significance of the Research
- This research could lead to breakthroughs in equine reproductive medicine. With a better understanding of the disease mechanisms, new strategies could be developed for treatment and prevention of persistent endometritis.
- Such advancements would also have implications for other species, including humans, as better insights into inflammatory diseases might be applicable across species.
Cite This Article
APA
Woodward EM, Troedsson MH.
(2015).
Inflammatory mechanisms of endometritis.
Equine Vet J, 47(4), 384-389.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12403 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Endometritis / metabolism
- Endometritis / pathology
- Endometritis / veterinary
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Inflammation / metabolism
- Inflammation / pathology
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Pregnancy
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Ding X, Cui X, Shi J, Cheng X, Yao D, Gao Y, Zhang Y. Construction of a model of endometritis in domestic rabbits using equine-derived pathogens and evaluation of therapeutic effect of sensitive drugs. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1064522.
- Freccero F, Mislei B, Bucci D, Dondi F, Mari G. Effects of Intra-Uterine Fluid Accumulation after Artificial Insemination on Luteal Function in Mares. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 23;13(1).
- Alghamdi AS, Fedorka CE, Scoggin KE, Esteller-Vico A, Beatty K, Davolli G, Ball BA, Troedsson MHT. Binding of Equine Seminal Lactoferrin/Superoxide Dismutase (SOD-3) Complex Is Biased towards Dead Spermatozoa. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 23;13(1).
- Katila T, Ferreira-Dias G. Evolution of the Concepts of Endometrosis, Post Breeding Endometritis, and Susceptibility of Mares. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 19;12(6).
- Zhang M, Yin C, Chen Y, Wang J, Jiang J. Upstream stimulatory factor 2 (USF2) induced upregulation of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM1) promotes endometritis by regulating toll-like receptor (TLR) 2/4-nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Bioengineered 2022 Feb;13(2):3609-3619.
- Lange-Consiglio A, Funghi F, Cantile C, Idda A, Cremonesi F, Riccaboni P. Case Report: Use of Amniotic Microvesicles for Regenerative Medicine Treatment of a Mare With Chronic Endometritis. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:347.
- Hu X, Wang M, Pan Y, Xie Y, Han J, Zhang X, Niayale R, He H, Li Q, Zhao T, Cui Y, Yu S. Anti-inflammatory Effect of Astragalin and Chlorogenic Acid on Escherichia coli-Induced Inflammation of Sheep Endometrial Epithelium Cells. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:201.
- Canisso IF, Segabinazzi LGTM, Fedorka CE. Persistent Breeding-Induced Endometritis in Mares - a Multifaceted Challenge: From Clinical Aspects to Immunopathogenesis and Pathobiology. Int J Mol Sci 2020 Feb 20;21(4).
- Tibary A. Grand Challenge Animal Reproduction-Theriogenology: From the Bench to Application to Animal Production and Reproductive Medicine. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:114.
- Li W, Tong HI, Gorantla S, Poluektova LY, Gendelman HE, Lu Y. Neuropharmacologic Approaches to Restore the Brain's Microenvironment. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2016 Sep;11(3):484-94.
- Rütten S, Schusser GF, Abraham G, Schrödl W. Release kinetics of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in the equine whole blood. BMC Vet Res 2016 Jun 17;12(1):117.
- Ferreira CSC, Pinna AE, Dos Santos IPF, Dias MCR, Dos Santos NSL, Bragueroli SDS, Quintino PM, Almeida GB, Penna BA, da Rocha EMDS, de Souza GN, Barbosa CG, de Jesus VLT, Jacob JCF. Powerflow Doppler Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of Mares with and Without Endometritis. Vet Sci 2025 Sep 28;12(10).
- Satué K, La Fauci D, Medica P, Damiá Gímenez E, Cravana C, Fazio E. Shifts between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory profiles in pregnant mares: a review of physiological functions. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1660759.
- Cao L, Liu J, Ye C, Hu Y, Qin R. Caffeic acid inhibits Staphylococcus aureus-induced endometritis through regulating AMPKα/mTOR/HIF-1α signalling pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2024 Oct;28(20):e70175.
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