Mononuclear cell infiltration of the equine endometrium: immunohistochemical studies

Endometrial sections from mares with varying degrees of mononuclear cell infiltration were examined for immunoglobulin (Ig)A-, IgM-, IgG(T)- and IgG(Fc)-containing cells, luminal and glandular epithelial cell Ig-staining and free interstitial Ig-staining, using a peroxidase anti-peroxidase technique. Mares with mild to moderate (Group 2) and mares with severe diffuse mononuclear cell infiltration, superimposed by acute endometritis (Group 3), had significantly higher numbers of Ig-containing cells than genitally-normal mares (Group 1). The differences between Groups 1 and 3 were significant for all four isotypes. In Groups 1 and 2, numbers of IgA-containing cells were significantly larger than numbers of IgM- and IgG(T)-containing cells. Generally, more glandular epithelial cells stained for IgA and IgM than for IgG(T) and IgG(Fc), and Ig-staining for all isotypes increased from Group 1 to Group 3. Free interstitial staining did not appear to differ among the three groups, but IgG(Fc)- and IgG(T)-staining generally was more intense than IgA- and IgM-staining. The efficiency of uterine defence in the mare does not seem to depend solely on humoral factors, and defects involving other components of the defence system may contribute to failure of the uterus to clear infection.