title: Histological changes in the uterus during postpartum in the mare.
abstract: An histological study of the postpartum period in 29 mares was carried out. Uterine biopsies were taken daily during the first 10 days postpartum in a total of 87 samples. At day 0, equine endometrium was characterized in the surface by the presence of regularly ordered microcaruncles; the stratum spongiosum was oedematous and contained distended and scarce glands. Degenerative changes in microcaruncles and endometrial glands were present on day 1 postpartum. The epithelium of the microcaruncles from 2 to 5 days postpartum showed cytoplasmic vacuolization, karyorrhexis and an inflammatory reaction with neutrophils and phagocitic cells. On day 7 postpartum, the histology of the endometrium was similar to the normal proestrus with cuboidal luminal epithelium and an oedematous stromal tissue. The changes are usually completed within days 9 and 10 postpartum with the histologically typical appearance of estrus in mares.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology II, Veterinary School, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gomez-Cuetara
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology