Use of specific sugars to inhibit bacterial adherence to equine endometrium in vitro.

Objective: To determine whether specific sugars inhibit adhesion of Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli to equine endometrial epithelial cells in vitro.

Sample Population: Endometrial biopsy specimens collected during estrus from 7 healthy mares.

Procedure: Endometrial specimens on glass slides were incubated for 30 minutes at 4 C with suspensions of S.

Uncoupling of the equine reproductive axes during transition into anoestrus.

The reproductive activity of light horse mares (n=12) was monitored each day from 3 September until 29 January, or until the mares entered anoestrus, by behaviour evaluation, ultrasonography and blood sampling. Follicles, corpora lutea and ovulation, as well as oestradiol, progesterone, and LH and FSH concentrations, were analysed to determine a reproductive profile for the transition into anoestrus. The results of the present study indicate that light horse mares progress through four phases during the autumn transition into anoestrus: (i) normal cycles; (ii) aberrant cycles; (iii) anovulation, with significant follicular activity; and (iv) anoestrus.

Morphologic comparisons among equine endometrium categories I, II, and III, using light and transmission electron microscopy.

Objective: To evaluate whether the pathologic changes observed by light microscopy in endometrium of categories II and III were reflected by cellular changes and to describe differences in the endometrial cell ultrastructure during estrus and diestrus.

Animals: 18 healthy mares.

Procedure: Endometrial tissues biopsied during the physiologic breeding season were categorized, using light microscopy, and were studied, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Morphologic characteristics of equine endometrium classified as Kenney categories I, II, and III, using light and scanning electron microscopy.

Pathologic changes in the endometrium of mares may be rated according to Kenney's method of classification. Category I endometrium contains healthy tissue with no or few widely scattered pathologic changes. At the opposite end, severe widespread pathologic changes are associated with category III.

Influence of estrous cycle stage on adhesion of Streptococcus zooepidemicus to equine endometrium.

Equine endometria representative of Kenney's categories I, II, and III were incubated in vitro with phosphate buffer, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or S zooepidemicus. Endometrial tissues from mares in estrus and diestrus were first categorized according to Kenney's classification, then were tested for adherence of S pneumoniae and S zooepidemicus to the epithelia. Bacteria were not observed when the endometrial tissue was incubated with phosphate buffer or S pneumoniae.