The role of inflammation and matrix metalloproteinases in equine endometriosis.
10.4142/jvs.2012.13.2.171
- Author:
Luca ARESU
1
;
Silvia BENALI
;
Diana GIANNUZZI
;
Roberto MANTOVANI
;
Massimo CASTAGNARO
;
Maria Elena FALOMO
Author Information
1. Dipartimento di Sanita Pubblica, Patologia Comparata e Igiene Veterinaria, Facolta di Medicina Veterinaria, Viale dell'Universita, 16-35020-Legnaro (Padova) 049-8272963, Italy. luca.aresu@unipd.it
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
equine endometriosis;
inflammation;
MMPs;
uterine biopsy
- MeSH:
Animals;
Endometriosis/metabolism/pathology/*veterinary;
Female;
Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/*physiology;
Horse Diseases/metabolism/*pathology;
Horses;
Immunohistochemistry/veterinary;
Inflammation/pathology/*veterinary;
Matrix Metalloproteinases/genetics/*metabolism;
Uterus/metabolism/pathology
- From:Journal of Veterinary Science
2012;13(2):171-177
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Equine endometriosis is a multifactorial disease considered to be a major cause of equine infertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of histomorphological grading for biopsy-like samples compared to entire uterine wall samples, to examine the association between the degree of endometriosis with animal age, and to investigate the role of inflammation in endometriosis and the expression of different matrix metalloproteinases in equine endometrium. Histomorphological lesions in 35 uterine samples were examined while comparing biopsy-like samples and entire-wall samples. Seventeen uterine samples were stained with antibodies against MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14, and TIMP-2. The morphologic evaluation results of the biopsy-like tissue and entire-wall samples were significantly correlated. Endometriosis in older mares (>12 years of age) was more severe than in young mares (2~4 years of age), confirming the positive correlation between animal age and disease severity, while inflammation was poorly related to the degree of endometriosis. MMP-2 and MMP-14 were detected in stromal cells, while MMP-9 and TIMP-2 were both found in stromal and glandular epithelial cells. There were no significant differences in MMPs expression between the two groups (young vs. old mares). Additional studies on the activity of MMPs could further define the role of these enzymes in equine endometriosis.
