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Background: Endometrial biopsy is required to diagnose mares with chronic endometritis and endometrial degenerative fibrosis. An increase in understanding of equine reproductive immunology could be utilised to create less‐invasive, time‐efficient diagnostic tools especially when evaluating mares for chronic endometritis. Objectives: To evaluate inflammatory cytokine and chemokine concentrations in uterine fluid samples collected by low‐volume lavage (LVL) as a potential screening diagnostic biomarker for endometritis. Study design: Prospective cross‐sectional clinical study. Methods: Forty‐six mares underwent a LVL and subsequently endometrial biopsy. Mares were split in three groups: healthy, acute endometritis, and chronic endometrial fibrosis (CEF) based on cytological and histological evaluation. A fluorescent bead‐based multiplex assay for IFN‐γ, IFN‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐17, sCD14, TNF‐α, CCL2, CCL3, CCL5 and CCL11 were carried out on the LVL fluid. The endometrial biopsy was utilised for histology and qPCR of IFN‐γ, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐17, TNF‐α, CCL2 and CCL3 genes. Statistical analyses examined differences in inflammatory markers and predictive modelling for diseased endometrium. Results: Secreted concentrations of IFN‐γ were lower in LVL fluid from reproductively healthy mares compared with acute endometritis (p = 0.04) and CEF (p = 0.006). Additionally, IL‐17, IL‐10, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, CCL2, CCL3, CCL5 and CCL11 were significantly increased (p ≤ 0.04) in LVL from CEF mares compared with healthy mares. Mares with CCL2 concentrations ≥550 pg/mL (14/14) had 100% probability of having CEF and/or acute endometritis. Healthy mares had lower relative abundance of IL‐17 mRNA compared with mares in CEF group [median (interquartile rage) = 14.76 (13.3, 15.3) and 12.4 (10.54, 13.81)], respectively (p = 0.02). Main limitations: Limited sample size: larger numbers of mares with and without endometritis are required and reference intervals in LVL samples have to be established. Conclusions: Inflammatory chemokines and cytokines concentrations differed between healthy mares and mares with acute endometritis or CEF in LVL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents: Proteomic analysis of mare uterine flush fluid provides a minimally invasive technique for studying protein changes associated with the oestrous cycle. The aim of this study was to identify differentially abundant proteins in the uterine flush fluid of mares in oestrus and dioestrus. In this study, uterine flush fluid samples were collected from eight reproductively healthy mares in either oestrus (n = 5) or dioestrus (n = 3). Proteomic analysis was performed using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Of 172 proteins identified, six proteins (immunoglobulin lambda‐like polypeptide 1, haemoglobin subunit alpha, alpha‐1B‐glycoprotein, serotransferrin, apolipoprotein A‐1, and haemoglobin subunit beta) were significantly more abundant in oestrus. These proteins may contribute to the endometrial defence system through roles in inflammation, immunity or antimicrobial activity. In other species, some of these proteins have been described as immunoglobulins, negative acute phase proteins or defence agents against micro‐organisms. During dioestrus, immunoglobulin alpha‐1 chain C region‐related, complement factor I, CD 109 antigen and uterocalin, were significantly more abundant. Research in other species suggests that these four proteins contribute to the immune response through proposed immunoregulatory characteristics, complement system involvement or roles in B cell–T cell interactions. In conclusion, ten differentially abundant proteins were identified in the uterine flush fluid of mares in oestrus and dioestrus. Targeted studies on these proteins could elucidate their role in uterine defence mechanisms during the oestrous cycle in the mare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a case study of an 8-year-old mare with right-sided ovarian enlargement. Topics discussed include the mare's medical history, including previous procedures and monitoring, the findings of transrectal ultrasonography, which revealed changes in the echogenicity of the ovary, and the top differential diagnosis and the decision to perform a standing laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomy.

The article focuses on comparing the proximal diffusion of modified abaxial sesamoid nerve block (MASB) with traditional low plantar nerve block (TLPB) in equine hind limbs. MASB exhibits enhanced diffusion compared to basisesamoid block (BSB) and lower diffusion than TLPB. Topics include injection techniques, diffusion patterns, and potential clinical implications.