The University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center plays host to visiting scientists from around the world, and this summer was no exception. Mette Christoffersen, DVM, and Morten Petersen, PhD, DVM, Dipl. ACT, both from the University of Copenhagen, and Pauline Peugent, a French student working on her master’s degree, have spent several months in Lexington researching equine reproduction.

Christoffersen and Petersen learned about the opportunity to study at the Gluck Center from Department of Veterinary Science chair Mats Troedsson, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, who has a strong partnership with the University of Copenhagen.

Petersen will conduct research at the Gluck Center until December, and Christoffersen hopes to stay until the end of the fall semester.

Christoffersen’s research focuses on the immunologic response to bacterial endometritis in resistant versus susceptible mares. Endometritis is an infection in the superficial layer of the uterus. Mares with signs of persistent endometritis that are unable to clear their uterus of bacteria and inflammation within the normal time period are often called “susceptible mares.” Christoffersen studied the inflammatory response in the uterus and systemically. She hopes to soon begin a new study at Gluck that will compare the effectiveness of two treatments (dexamethazone and immunomodulating compound) on bacterial endometritis in susceptible mares