Endometrosis

Endometrosis (from Greek ἔνδον = éndon (inside) and μήτρα = metra (uterus) and old Greek ωσις = -osis (disease)) is a chronic - degenerative disease of the lining of the uterus ( endometrium ). It is clinically and economically important in domestic animal species as it limits the fertility of females. Evidence is possible through a histological examination after an endometrial biopsy .

In contrast to humans, female pets do not go through menopause , so they are in the cycle from puberty to the end of their life and are therefore at least theoretically fertile into old age. However, the development of endometriosis can limit your fertility without causing a decrease in ovarian function . The changes in the uterine lining are largely irreversible. There is no known effective treatment.

In domestic horses , the disease can occur at any age of a mare , but more frequently at an older age. The causes and development mechanisms are largely unclear. Affected animals are prone to miscarriages , underdeveloped foals, and endometritis .

Endometriosis , a disease known in humans, is not related to endometriosis.

literature

• Christine Aurich (Ed.): Reproductive medicine in horses. Gynecology - Andrology - Obstetrics . Parey, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-8304-4102-9 ( full text in the Google book search).
• Christine Hoffmann, Christin Ellenberger, Rodrigo Costa Mattos, Heike Aupperle, Stefan Dhein, Birgit Stief, Heinz-Adolf Schoon: The equine endometrosis: new insights into the pathogenesis. In: Animal Reproduction Science. Vol. 111, No. 2/4, 2009, pp. 261-78, PMID 18468817 , doi : 10.1016 / j.anireprosci.2008.03.019