Lochial and endometrial cytological changes during the first 10 days post-partum with special reference to the nature of foaling and puerperium in equine.
Abstract: During the puerperium, pregnancy-associated changes of the uterus need to be reversed. The duration of this process is of importance in terms of breeding efficiency and thus monitoring and treatment of the disturbed puerperium are essential. Aim of this investigation was to identify changes over time in the cellular composition of samples from endometrium and lochia in 120 mares with different obstetrical and puerperal history. In regular examinations up to 10 days post-partum the uterine involution was assessed by transrectal palpation and ultrasound. The vagina and cervix were examined using a speculum. Mares were classified as having an undisturbed or disturbed puerperium based on history and clinical findings. Uterine cytology samples were obtained with a cytology brush and lochia were obtained by manual withdrawal. Smears were done by rolling the brush or the swab on slides. They were stained using Hemacolor®-staining. In total, 238 cytology and 150 lochia smears were examined. Endometrial cells, neutrophils, and erythrocytes were distinguished by light-microscopy. Changes in the neutrophil granulocyte count in cytology and lochia smears were determined. The correlation between the number of neutrophils in cytology and lochia smears was not significant (p = 0.22). There was a significant influence of the puerperium on the percentage of neutrophils in the cytology samples (p = 0.001) but not in the lochia smears (p = 0.83). A significant decline of erythrocytes was detected in cytologies (p < 0.0001) and lochia smears (p = 0.12) of mares after eutocia but not after dystocia. Retention of fetal membranes (p = 0.0004) and time (p = 0.0034) had a significant influence on the percentage of neutrophils in the endometrial cytology. The type of birth (p = 0.0018) and the time (p = 0.0011) significantly affected the decrease in neutrophils in the cytology samples but not in the lochia smears. The influence of time was also found for the decrease of erythrocytes in cytology (p < 0.0001) and lochia (p = 0.0082) samples. A constant decline in neutrophils (p < 0.001) was found in the cytologies of mares with an undisturbed puerperium. Therefore, endometrial cytology seems to be more appropriate than lochia assessment for the evaluation of puerperal development in mares.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-07-22 PubMed ID: 31362195DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.07.023Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study examines how cellular composition in the uterine lining and postpartum discharge in horses changes after giving birth, to assess uterine involution and any impacts on breeding efficiency.
Research approach
- The study involved 120 mares with various birthing histories. Regular examinations were performed until ten days post-partum to assess uterine involution.
- Each mare’s uterus involution was assessed using transrectal palpation and ultrasound, and their vaginas and cervixes were examined with a speculum.
- Mares were categorized into having a normal or disrupted puerperium based on their history and clinical findings.
- Uterine cytology samples were collected, and postpartum vaginal discharge (lochia) was obtained manually. These samples were stained and examined under a light microscope.
- The researchers counted different types of cells such as endometrial cells, neutrophils, and erythrocytes in each sample, noting any changes over time.
Research findings
- The correlation between neutrophil counts in cytology and lochia samples was not significant.
- The puerperium period had a significant impact on the percentage of neutrophils in the cytology samples, but not in the lochia samples.
- Erythrocyte counts significantly decreased in cytologies and lochia smears of mares after eutocia (normal birth), but not after dystocia (difficult birth).
- Factors such as the retention of fetal membranes and the type of birth significantly influenced the percentage of neutrophils in the endometrial cytology.
- Over time, a steady decrease in neutrophils was observed in the cytologies of mares with an uninterrupted puerperium. As such, endometrial cytology may be a more appropriate method than assessing lochia for monitoring postpartum development in mares.
Research implications
- The study’s findings indicate that changes in the cellular composition of endometrial cytology samples during the puerperium period can provide valuable information about postpartum uterine health and recovery.
- The insights could be beneficial for breeding programs, as issues within the puerperium period can impact a mare’s fertility and overall reproductive performance. Therefore, regular monitoring of puerperium in mares could improve their breeding efficiency.
Cite This Article
APA
Krohn J, Eilenberg RD, Gajewski Z, Failing K, Wehrend A.
(2019).
Lochial and endometrial cytological changes during the first 10 days post-partum with special reference to the nature of foaling and puerperium in equine.
Theriogenology, 139, 43-48.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.07.023 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Justus-Liebig-University, Frankfurter Str. 106, Giessen, 35392, Germany. Electronic address: judith.krohn@vetmed.uni-giessen.de.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Justus-Liebig-University, Frankfurter Str. 106, Giessen, 35392, Germany. Electronic address: rutheilenberg@hotmail.com.
- Department for Large Animal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences, 111 Nowoursynowska, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: zgajewski@supermedia.pl.
- Unit for Biomathematics and Data Processing, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Frankfurter Str. 95, Giessen, 35392, Germany. Electronic address: klaus.failing@vetmed.uni-giessen.de.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Justus-Liebig-University, Frankfurter Str. 106, Giessen, 35392, Germany. Electronic address: axel.wehrend@vetmed.uni-giessen.de.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Endometrium / cytology
- Erythrocytes / cytology
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Neutrophils / cytology
- Postpartum Period
- Pregnancy
- Reproduction / physiology
- Uterus / cytology
- Uterus / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- De Amicis I, Fusi J, Marruchella G, Zedda MT, Mazzatenta A, Robbe D, Carluccio A. Postpartum Uterine Involution in Martina Franca Jennies. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 22;11(10).
- Holmes CM, Babasyan S, Wagner B. Neonatal and maternal upregulation of antileukoproteinase in horses. Front Immunol 2024;15:1395030.
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