Diagnosis of endometritis using ultrasound and low – volume uterine flush in Arabian mares

Abstract

Endometritis is one of the most common causes of infertility in mares. Many mares fail to be diagnosed despite availability of many diagnostic tests. The objectives of this study were, to diagnose endometritis in Arabian mares by ultrasonography, cytological smear and microbial culture, in addition to applaying of antimicrobial susceptibility test of the isolated bacteria from mares' uteri. This study conducted on 32 Arabian mares with fertility problems. All mares firstly scanned by ultrasound then sampled by low - volume uterine flush for cytological, microbial culture examinations and susceptibility test. E. Coli was found to be the most frequently isolated bacteria (40.54%). While, Proteus Spp. was the lowest frequently isolated bacteria (2.70 %). Ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin are the highly effective antibiotics inhibiting majority of bacterial isolates. So, the low – volume uterine flush technique is a reliable, easy, quick and practical diagnostic method for endometritis in mares when combined with ultrasonography and microbiology diagnostics.