Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis, plays a key role in mucosal renewal and resistance to cell death. This study investigated the participation and dynamics of this protein in the squamous and glandular ulcerated gastric mucosa of horses, donkeys, and mules to compare and determine the similarities and differences between each species of equids. Sixty samples of the stomachs of these equids (10 from each species), both healthy and ulcerated, were analyzed, and immunohistochemical and histological techniques were used to determine the location and intensity of survivin expression in the different gastric regions. The results revealed a significant presence of survivin in the gastric mucosa of almost all equids. However, it was more consistently found in the glandular mucosa, both in healthy and ulcerated conditions. Additionally, immunolabeling predominated in the cytoplasmic subcellular location, although a minimum number of individuals presented a nuclear location. This study provides a basis for future research on the role of survivin in gastric pathology and its potential impact on gastrointestinal diseases in equids. Furthermore, these findings suggest that survivin may serve as a potential biomarker of gastric mucosal integrity in equids.

To Cite This Article: Medina-Bolívar AL, Moreno-Usuga VMU and Martínez-Aranzales JR 2025. Immunolabeling of survivin in ulcerated and healthy gastric mucosa of equids: a comparative study of species (horses, donkeys, and mules). Pak Vet J. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2025.317