Diagnostic methods to detect uterus illnesses in mares

Uterine illnesses are the major problem in horse reproductive programs. The diagnosis of these pathologies is often neglected or does not provide enough information about the cause. The aim of this study was to evaluate different diagnoses to provide more accurate information about endometritis and the real endometrial profile at the beginning of a breeding season. Fifty-one mares with reproductive failure were evaluated. Two different uterine cytology diagnoses, culture of uterine flush material and biopsy assay, were performed. The data were analyzed by the Chi-squared test to compare different diagnostic methods for the same sample from each mare, and sensitivity and specificity tests were performed. Most of evaluations showed no association between cytology and other diagnostic methods, except with bacterial culture. The most common bacterium found was Escherichia colli, but it was not associated with neutrophil presence in cytology. The presence of β-hemolitic streptococcus was well characterized by positive cytology and cloudy lavage fluid aspect. Endometrial profile was affected by age and whether the mare was a donor or recipient. The most sensitive diagnostic method was gross aspect of lavage fluid. Endometritis should be diagnosed by at least two methods to increase accuracy. Endometritis is not the only uterine disease that causes embryo loss, since endometrial fibrosis can also be a cause.