Uterine microbiome and immunity: endometrial multi-omics in the study of equine endometritis

The MIUMEEE research project seeks alternatives to antibiotics for treating infectious endometritis in mares. Using omics technologies, the scientists are analysing the uterine microbiome to understand how natural bacteria protect the fertility and immune system of these animals. The project aims to replace traditional drugs with probiotics and postbiotics, thereby tackling growing bacterial resistance in livestock farming. This research is crucial for the Spanish equestrian sector, since uterine infection is responsible for more than half of reproductive problems in the species. The team is also working on identifying molecular biomarkers to detect difficult cases and improve the accuracy of clinical diagnoses.

Main objectives:

• Understand the microbiota: The project seeks to understand how the uterine microbiota influences local immune mechanisms and how its disruption can trigger infertility in mares.
• Improve diagnosis: New biomarkers (immunological, protein-based and bacterial) are being investigated in uterine lavages and biopsies to facilitate the detection of endometritis, especially in subclinical cases that often go unnoticed.
• Develop alternatives to antibiotics: The ultimate aim is to lay the groundwork for new therapeutic approaches that respect the uterus's natural balance, such as the development of probiotics (beneficial live bacteria) and postbiotics (bacteria-derived products that modulate the immune system and curb pathogens)