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Journal of veterinary science2012; 13(2); 171-177; doi: 10.4142/jvs.2012.13.2.171

The role of inflammation and matrix metalloproteinases in equine endometriosis.

Abstract: Equine endometriosis is a multifactorial disease considered to be a major cause of equine infertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of histomorphological grading for biopsy-like samples compared to entire uterine wall samples, to examine the association between the degree of endometriosis with animal age, and to investigate the role of inflammation in endometriosis and the expression of different matrix metalloproteinases in equine endometrium. Histomorphological lesions in 35 uterine samples were examined while comparing biopsy-like samples and entire-wall samples. Seventeen uterine samples were stained with antibodies against MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14, and TIMP-2. The morphologic evaluation results of the biopsy-like tissue and entire-wall samples were significantly correlated. Endometriosis in older mares (>12 years of age) was more severe than in young mares (2 ~ 4 years of age), confirming the positive correlation between animal age and disease severity, while inflammation was poorly related to the degree of endometriosis. MMP-2 and MMP-14 were detected in stromal cells, while MMP-9 and TIMP-2 were both found in stromal and glandular epithelial cells. There were no significant differences in MMPs expression between the two groups (young vs. old mares). Additional studies on the activity of MMPs could further define the role of these enzymes in equine endometriosis.
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Publication Date: 2012-06-19 PubMed ID: 22705739PubMed Central: PMC3386342DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2012.13.2.171Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the severity of endometriosis in horses, its correlation with age, and association with inflammation and certain enzymes. The study revealed that older mares suffer more severe endometriosis than their younger counterparts, and that the presence and severity of the condition may be linked to the activity of specific enzymes, rather than inflammation.

Understanding the Study and its Objectives

  • The study was designed to evaluate the reliability of grading equine endometriosis using biopsy samples compared to using entire uterine wall samples. This was aimed at determining if smaller samples could reliably represent the extent of the condition.
  • The researchers also wanted to establish the correlation between equine age and the severity of endometriosis. This aspect of the study was necessary to understand whether the disease becomes more severe as horses grow older.
  • The final objective was to investigate the role of inflammation in endometriosis, as well as to examine the expression of different matrix metalloproteinases in the uterine tissue of horses. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes implicated in tissue remodeling and may play a role in the development of endometriosis.

Methods and Findings

  • 35 uterine samples were taken and examined for lesions, and compared across biopsy-like samples and whole uterine wall samples.
  • The severity of endometriosis was generally more pronounced in older mares than in younger ones, suggesting a direct correlation between a horse’s age and the severity of the disease.
  • Inflammation didn’t show a clear relationship with the severity of endometriosis in the sample population, suggesting that inflammation may not be a significant factor in the development or progression of equine endometriosis.
  • Various MMPs were found in the stromal cells and glandular epithelial cells in the uterine tissue. These enzymes may have a role in the maintenance or progression of the disease.

Implications and Future Direction

  • The findings of this study suggest that more comprehensive studies on the activity of these MMPs and their influence on equine endometriosis are warranted. This can potentially open a new research direction towards understanding this disease better and developing effective treatments.
  • This study also provides useful insights that can aid in the diagnosis and grading of equine endometriosis using biopsy-like tissue samples.

Cite This Article

APA
Aresu L, Benali S, Giannuzzi D, Mantovani R, Castagnaro M, Falomo ME. (2012). The role of inflammation and matrix metalloproteinases in equine endometriosis. J Vet Sci, 13(2), 171-177. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2012.13.2.171

Publication

Journal of veterinary science
ISSN: 1976-555X
NlmUniqueID: 100964185
Country: Korea (South)
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 2
Pages: 171-177

Researcher Affiliations

Aresu, Luca
  • Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Patologia Comparata e Igiene Veterinaria, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Viale dell'Università, 16-35020-Legnaro (Padova) 049-8272963, Italy. luca.aresu@unipd.it
Benali, Silvia
    Giannuzzi, Diana
      Mantovani, Roberto
        Castagnaro, Massimo
          Falomo, Maria Elena

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Endometriosis / metabolism
            • Endometriosis / pathology
            • Endometriosis / veterinary
            • Female
            • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / physiology
            • Horse Diseases / metabolism
            • Horse Diseases / pathology
            • Horses
            • Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
            • Inflammation / pathology
            • Inflammation / veterinary
            • Matrix Metalloproteinases / genetics
            • Matrix Metalloproteinases / metabolism
            • Uterus / metabolism
            • Uterus / pathology

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