When it comes to a mare’s uterus, ultrasound examination and cytology (examination of cells under a microscope) can give a veterinarian a pretty good picture of what’s going on inside that could be confounding conception. However, comparing these results to culture (testing of samples for pathogens) helped researchers on a recent study link specific bacteria with certain uterine signs, which ultimately could help veterinarians predict more accurately what pathogens could be at play in problem breeders.

Modesty D. Burleson, VMD, formerly an associate of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and presently the resident veterinarian for Spy Coast Farm in Lexington, Ky., presented this data at the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md. Burleson and colleagues performed a retrospective study to determine the relationships between micro-organisms isolated from the uterus, cytology findings, and ultrasonographic findings in Thoroughbred mares during estrus.

The team reviewed 670 positive endometrial culture samples from 410 Thoroughbred mares in Central Kentucky. Mares were examined by either Michelle LeBlanc, DVM, Dipl. ACT, or Tom Riddle, DVM. The corresponding cytology and ultrasonographic results from the reproduction examination were recorded to determine relationships between organisms and diagnostics tests. The cultures were obtained by either culture swab (453 cultures) or by small volume flush (217 cultures)