Endometrial biopsies; a global view
Keywords: annotated, anatomy, equine, endometrial, biopsyTogether with cultures and cytology of the uterus, endometrial biopsies are essential to determine the state of the equine endometrium in infertile mares. They can also be used to determine if mares are having estrous cycles and in some cases, may provide information that supports aneuploidy.
Endometrial biopsies are usually viewed at low power first. In this manner, a general impression of the biopsy is obtained and focal areas of cell infiltration, fibrosis etc. can be appreciated. As an example, in the global view of a sample seen in the lower part of this composite, the focal area of cell infiltration under the red ring would have been missed if the biopsy had been examined immediately under high-power.
In the top rectangle, an area of endometrium is shown under higher power. E is the luminal epithelium and SC is the stratum compactum. The name of the stratum compactum is derived from the fact that it appears more compact or solid that the the stratum spongiosum. The stratum spongiosum (SS) is known as such because it usually contains many cross sections of coiled endometrial glands and therefore resembles a sponge. Below those layers (towards the peritoneal surface) lie the inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of smooth muscle that surround the uterus.
Image size: 1050 x 1092px
