Use of ozonated sunflower oil in the treatment of infectious endometritis in mares

Abstract

Endometritis can be classified as infectious or non-infectious, clinical or sub-clinical. It is one of the important causes of infertility and sub-fertility in mares. Taking into account the antimicrobial, immuno-stimulating capacity and the low cost of therapies with the combination oxygen-ozone (O2-O3), we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ozonized sunflower oil as a possible alternative treatment for endometritis in mares. Mares (n=20) with a known reproductive history of uterine infection and inflammation were selected and distributed into 2 groups: Control (n = 10), treated with non-ozonized sunflower oil and Treatment (n = 10), treated with oil of ozonated sunflower oil (Ozone & Life). Pre- and post-uterine changes were identified by means of transrectal ultrasound examination (B mode) and confirmed by cytological examination (cytological brush) and microbiological analysis (swab) through bacterial and fungalcultures. Collection of samples and treatment applications were performed during estrus. An insemination pipette coupled to a syringe filled with the respective oil (60ml) was inserted directly into the body of the uterus. The oil was left in the uterus for 24 hours, after which the uterus was washed with Ringer Lactate solution until a completely translucent flushing was obtained. Preliminary results demonstrate that ozonized sunflower oil has the potential to treat fungal and bacterial endometritis; one case of uterine infection caused by Aspergillus spp and 7of 9 cases of bacterial endometritis resolved. Bacteria involved in these infections were Staphylococcus delphini, Staphylococcus intermedius, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter bugandensis, Staphylococcus chromogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus sciuri. In the control group, there were no significant differences between pre and post treatment samples.