The value of cytology in the diagnosis of endometritis in the mare - correlation with microbial culture

Abstract

Endometritis is a common cause of infertility in mares, and the presence of uterine inflammation can be determined by cytology or biopsy. Microbiological analyses and testing the sensitivity to antibiotics are important to maximise the therapy efficacy.Mares with inflammation but no bacterial growth highlight the high sensibility of cytology in the diagnosis of uterine inflammation. A positive culture without inflammation nor clinical signs should not be considered pathogenic. In our mares, the presence of Gram-negative bacteria induced a stronger pro-inflammatory immune response.