Endometrosis – significance for horse reproduction, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and proposed therapeutic methods

Abstract

Equine endometrosis is a multifactorial disease considered to be a one of the most important causes of equine infertility, especially in older mares. This article reviews the current knowledge of equine endometrosis: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and optional treatment. Also describes the histomorphological and immunohistochemical characterization of endometrosis as well as potential etiological factors which may influence disease progression. Unfortunately, the etiology and pathogenesis of endometrosis still remains unclear, and consequently no effective treatment has been proposed so far. Therefore future studies are needed for explanation of this disease.

Microscopic examination of endometrial biopsies of retired sports mares: An explanation for the clinically observed subfertility?

“…An abnormal expression of ER and PR is also observed in stromal cells and glandular epithelia within endometrotic foci (Buczkowska et al, 2014;Hoffmann et al, 2009). The proposed pathogenesis is an initial alteration of stromal cells with a reduced expression of ER and PR and a subsequent failure to respond adequately to cyclic endocrine changes.…”

“…The proposed pathogenesis is an initial alteration of stromal cells with a reduced expression of ER and PR and a subsequent failure to respond adequately to cyclic endocrine changes. This in turn would lead to a cycle-asynchronous stimulation of glandular epithelial cells and their abnormal expression of ER and PR (Buczkowska et al, 2014;Hoffmann et al, 2009).…”

“…Only glands without endometrosis were examined, since endometrotic glands display an altered expression of ER and PR Buczkowska et al, 2014;Hoffmann et al, 2009;Lehmann et al, 2011).…”

“…Hallmark of the destructive form is epithelial degeneration and necrosis of affected glands (Buczkowska et al, 2014;Hoffmann et al, 2009).…”

New insights into the innate immune defences of the equine endometrium: in situ and in vitro expression pattern of beta-defensin

“…Endometrosis and angiosclerosis represent irreversible degenerative alterations . The initiating factor of endometrosis is still uncertain (Hoffmann et al 2009a, Buczkowska et al 2014. Endometrial maldifferentiation is either evoked by hormonal imbalances or represents a spontaneous condition of uncertain aetiology, it can be reversible , Schoon et al 1999, Ellenberger et al 2002.…”