Immunoglobulin levels,protein concentrations and alkaline phosphatase activity in uterine flushings from mares with endometritis

Uterine samples and flushings were obtained from 87 mares to compare endometrial bacteriology and biopsy with immunoglobulin and protein concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity in uterine flushings. Mares were designated as infected if both bacteriology and biopsies were positive. The immunoglobulin levels, protein concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity in uterine flushings from infected and non-infected mares were compared. Twenty (23%) of the mares were classified as infected. A significantly higher proportion of infected mares (cf. non-infected) had elevated IgA and protein concentrations. Levels of IgG, IgG_T or alkaline phosphatase were not significantly elevated in infected mares. These results suggest that IgA and protein levels are elevated in the uterus in the presence of active infection.