The technique and clinical application of endometrial cytology in mares.

The study shows that endometrial cytology is a more reliable indicator of uterine inflammation in mares than bacteriology, and suggest its routine clinical use for better interpretation of bacterial cultures from the cervix.

Research Methodology

• The researchers conducted experimental studies on endometrial smears from 26 normal mares. These mares had a period of sexual rest which exceeded 7 days.
• They also took smears from another group of 9 mares that showed signs of persistent endometritis. Endometritis is the inflammation of the mucous layer that lines the uterus.
• In addition to these experimental studies, smears were taken from 242 Thoroughbred mares as part of a routine procedure in 1977.

Key Findings

• After a period of sexual rest exceeding 7 days, the smears from the 26 normal mares were found to be generally free from inflammatory cells. This suggests that the mares recovered from any inflammation during this rest period.
• However, the smears from the 9 mares with signs of persistent endometritis contained inflammatory cells in 91 percent of the cases. Even though these mares displayed symptoms of uterine inflammation, bacterial culture was positive only in 45 percent of these cases. This indicates that the presence of bacteria was not the only cause of inflammation, as the inflammatory response was observed in more mares than those with a positive bacterial culture.
• The researchers concluded from these observations that endometrial cytology, the microscopic study of cells and tissues scraped from the endometrium, provides a better guide to uterine inflammation in mares than bacteriology, the study of bacteria.

Research Implications

• The study recommends the routine clinical use of endometrial cytology. This procedure can assist in the interpretation of both positive and negative bacterial cultures from the cervix. As a result, it can provide more accurate information about the health of the mare’s reproductive organs and help in identifying conditions like persistent endometritis more effectively.