Projects
Evaluation of equine endometrium using Confocal Laser endomicroscopy
This project seeks to develop a novel state-of-the-art diagnostic technique to evaluate the health of uterine tissue in broodmares. Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is an advanced imaging tool that is revolutionising the diagnosis of cancers and inflammatory diseases in human medicine (eg colon cancer). Endometrosis and endometritis are fibrotic and inflammatory conditions of the uterus in broodmares and have been proven to cause poor reproductive performance and as such are commonly found in barren mares. The current gold standard diagnostic practices have not changed significantly since the late 1970s.
This project seeks to improve diagnostic capabilities and enhance breeding efficiency in the Thoroughbred horse industry by working towards developing this novel method for the detection and understanding of uterine disease. The main outcomes from this project will be to determine the optimum time in the mares breeding cycle for imaging the uterus with CLE to generate best quality images and to also create a grading system and instructions that can be used by veterinary practitioners for CLE endometrial tissue imaging in broodmares.
This project seeks to improve diagnostic capabilities and enhance breeding efficiency in the Thoroughbred horse industry by working towards developing this novel method for the detection and understanding of uterine disease. The main outcomes from this project will be to determine the optimum time in the mares breeding cycle for imaging the uterus with CLE to generate best quality images and to also create a grading system and instructions that can be used by veterinary practitioners for CLE endometrial tissue imaging in broodmares.
