Abstract
Fifteen quarter horse-type mares were examined by transrectal ultrasound for the presence of endometrial lymphatic cysts. From each mare an endometrial biopsy 'was taken from the mid-body of the uterus and the base of each uterine horn. Biopsy sections were examined by histomorphometry to characterize lymphatic lacunae by number, cross-sectional area, and location within the endometrial lamina propria. Mares were divided into three groups (n=5) based upon mare age and presence of ultrasonically detectable endometrial lymphatic cysts: Group A) <IO years, no cysts; Group B) > 13 years, no cysts; Group C) > 13 years, with cysts. Each group contained two mares in estrus and three mares in diestrus. Mares in estrus had a greater number of lymphatic lacunaein the stratum spongiosum and greater cross-sectional area of lymphatic lacunae in the stratum compactum than mares in diestrus(P < 0.06). The total number of lymphatic lacunae within the lamina propria was also higher in mares in estrus than in mares in diestrus (P < 0.05). In the five mares with ultrasonically detectable endometrial lymphatic cysts (Group C), the number of lymphatic lacunae in the stratum spongiosum, was greater (P < 0.02) in uterine horns containing endometrial lymphatic cysts than in contralateral uterine horns which contained no cysts. Number and cross-sectional area of lymphatic lacunae throughout the uterus were greater in the stratum spongiosum than the stratum compactum for mares having endometrial lymphatic cysts (P <0.01). The total number of lymphatic lacunae in the lamina propria (stratum compactum + stratum spongiosum) was greater in the uterine horn having ultrasonically detectable endometrial lymphatic cysts, than in the contralateral horn having no cysts (P < 0.01). This study revealed no difference in the number or cross-sectional area of lymphatic lacunae in the uterus between young and old mares without ultrasonically detectable endometrial lymphatic cysts. A single uterine biopsy was not a good predictor of lymphatic conditions in the equine uterus. Key words: lymphatic lacunae, endometrial cysts, lymphatic cysts, equine, histomorphometry
Darling, Ralph Edward (1996). The relationship between lymphatic cysts and lymphatic lacunae in the endometrium of mares. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1996 -THESIS -D37.