Endometrial biopsy findings in mares with contagious equine metritis

Endometrial biopsy samples before and after treatment were obtained from 10 mares naturally infected and one Pony mare experimentally infected with Contagious Equine Metritis in 1977. The histopathological features were a short-lived polymorphonuclear cell infiltration of the luminal epithelium and stroma followed by a very early and marked mononuclear cell infiltration of the stroma, including many plasma cells. The luminal epithelium responded with cellular proliferation which may have reflected a regenerative response. Following the initial acute response, intercellular basal vacuoles containing amorphous and granular material and degenerate leucocytes, were seen in association with the basement membrane for several weeks following infection and apparent recovery. Specimens taken from 9 mares after treatment suggested a varied response. Endometrial biopsy was useful in demonstrating an endometrial response to infection in individual mares prior to the isolation of the causal organism. Its usefullness as a screening test was limited by the ability of mares to harbour the organism in the lower genital tract whilst showing little or no evidence of acute endometritis.