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Topic:Mares
Mares and horses are integral components of equine studies, focusing on the reproductive and behavioral aspects of equine biology. Mares, or adult female horses, play a significant role in breeding programs and are often studied for their reproductive physiology, gestation, and maternal behaviors. Horses, as a broader category, encompass both sexes and all age groups, providing a comprehensive view of equine anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Research in this area often investigates the differences and similarities between mares and other horses in terms of hormonal cycles, reproductive health, and social interactions. This page compiles peer-reviewed studies and scholarly articles that explore the biological and behavioral characteristics of mares and horses, offering insights into their roles in equine science and management.
Visceral disseminated hemangiosarcoma causing severe bicytopenia in a mare. Hemangiosarcoma is an uncommon but highly aggressive malignant vascular neoplasm in horses, most often identified as a disseminated process at postmortem examination. This report describes an adult Warmblood mare presenting with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea, severe anemia, and thrombocytopenia associated with disseminated hemangiosarcoma likely originating in the transverse colon with metastasis to the liver and lungs. This case highlights gastrointestinal hemangiosarcoma as a potential differential diagnosis in horses with unexplained bicytopenia and hemorrhagic enteropathy.
Near-Term Extrauterine Pregnancy Secondary To Uterine Rupture In A Mare. Uterine rupture is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of equine reproduction, typically associated with dystocia, uterine torsion, fetal manipulation, or hydrops. Tears may occur in either the uterine horns or body, although involvement of the ventral uterine body is rare. This case report describes an 11-year-old Arabian mare at 350 days of gestation that developed abdominal pregnancy secondary to uterine torsion and full-thickness ventral uterine rupture, resulting in fetal death and the free presence of the fetus within the peritoneal cavity. Surgical removal of the fetus and pri...
Ovarian follicle dynamics in the plains zebra (Equus quagga). Understanding follicular dynamics during the estrous cycle is essential for developing breeding programs and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in any species. In this context, knowledge of follicular dynamics and related uterine changes in the plains zebra (Equus quagga) is essential to increase the declining population of this vital African species and to provide comparative insights into more endangered zebra species. Likely due to the difficulty of handling these wild species, no detailed reproductive study using ultrasonography has been performed in any zebra. Therefore, the presen...
Comparison of cost for conventional embryo transfer versus intracytoplasmic sperm injection. There are obvious practical advantages of both conventional ET and ICSI. One question that has not been addressed adequately, however, is the relative cost of each procedure and if there is a cost advantage of one over the other. Objective: The objective of the present study was to obtain additional cost data from clinics and breeding farms that perform both ET and ICSI. Methods: A request was sent to 10 clinics that performed either just OPU or OPU/ICSI. These facilities were representative of reproductive specialists located all across the United States. Six clinics provided information on a...
Verminous mastitis caused by Cephalobus cubaensis infection in a mare. A 7-y-old American Quarter Horse mare was presented to a veterinary hospital for ongoing reproductive monitoring and management of endometritis. During physical evaluation, several nodular lesions of unknown origin and duration were discovered in the mammae. Histologically, biopsies from the lesions were confirmed as severe granulomatous mastitis with intralesional rhabditid nematodes. A putative diagnosis of or infection was assigned, and ivermectin (1.2 mg/kg PO) treatment was given every 2 wk. When lesions persisted after the initial dose of ivermectin, PCR testing of and gene targe...
Insights from healthy mares reveal that mammalian uteri harbor a diverse virome. The Earth's estimated 10 virions, primarily phages, significantly impact microbial ecosystems. Despite their abundance, viromes remain relatively understudied-particularly in domestic animals. While recent studies have described a dynamic commensal microbiome in mammalian uteri, no research has yet characterized the commensal virome in a mammalian uterus. In this study, we report for the first time the presence of a sparse, but diverse native virome in the equine uterus. The resulting virome database consists of 513 non-redundant viral genomes (> 2 kb). Taxonomic annotations revealed the...
Detection of papillomavirus DNA in uterine flushing samples from healthy mares reveals diverse genotypes with differing host ranges. A molecular study to assess the presence of some papillomaviruses was performed on 105 uterine flushing samples of healthy mares using real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR). Bovine, equine, and ovine papillomavirus DNA was detected in 27 uterine flushing samples through dPCR (~ 25.71%); qPCR was able to detect 18 positive samples (~ 17.14%). Differences between the two molecular protocols were significant as shown by McNemar's test (p˂ 0.005). EcPV DNA was detected in 10 samples by dPCR (~ 9.52%) of uterine flushing samples. qPCR detected EcPV DN...
Survival and fertility of Thoroughbred broodmares with uterine tears treated surgically: 76 cases (2000-2023). To describe the clinical presentation, treatment, short- and long-term outcomes, and subsequent fertility of Thoroughbred broodmares undergoing surgical repair of periparturient uterine tears. Unassigned: A retrospective observational study was conducted with medical records from a single tertiary referral equine hospital (2000 to 2023). Thoroughbred broodmares with confirmed periparturient uterine tears that underwent surgical repair were included; mares euthanized prior to surgery or intraoperatively or that had incomplete medical records were excluded. Data collected included signalment, cl...
Molecular detection of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in mares with reproductive disorders enrolled in embryo transfer programs. Equine genital leptospirosis (EGL) is associated with reproductive disorders in mares. However, its occurrence in embryo transfer (ET) programs remains poorly characterized. Objective: Given the scarcity of data on the circulation of Leptospira spp. in mares enrolled in ET programs, this study aimed to investigate the serological and molecular occurrence of Leptospira spp. in mares with a history of reproductive disorders from 13 stud farms dedicated to embryo transfer in Brazil. Methods: Serum and endometrial cytobrush samples (ECS) were collected from 70 unvaccinated mares. Serological analy...
The effects of citrulline on horse milk components and fecal metabolism were analyzed based on LC-MS and 16s amplicon. The lactation period in mares is critical, as it significantly influences foal health and subsequent reproductive outcomes. Developing a precise nutritional strategy for lactating mares is a primary research focus. L-citrulline, a bioactivenon-protein amino acid and precursor to arginine, has been shown to enhance mammary blood flow and reduce oxidative stress, yielding promising results in livestock lactation studies. However, research on its effects in Equus species remains limited. There is a notable gap in data regarding its impact on lactation performance blood biochemistry, and its role ...
FGF2, LIF, and IGF1 supplementation during in vitro maturation or culture improves equine ICSI embryo development in an age-dependent manner. Ovum pickup (OPU) combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has reshaped equine assisted reproduction, enabling embryo production from mares and stallions with constrained breeding opportunities; however, limited efficiency of in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro culture (IVC) continues to hinder embryo production. Growth factor supplementation with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) in combination (FLI) has been shown to enhance oocyte and embryo developmental competence in several species. Objective: This...
Factors influencing gestation length in Mares in the Tiaret region, Algeria. Gestation length is a key parameter in equine reproductive management, yet its variability remains poorly documented in Barb and Arabian mares under Algerian conditions. Objective: This study aims to determine gestation length in mares and to assess the influence of various factors, including breed, year of mating, mating month, mare age, parity, reproductive status, stallion and the foal's sex on gestation duration. Methods: A total of 133 mares from the National Stud Farm of Tiaret (Algeria) were monitored over the period 2021-2024. Results: The mean gestation length was 332.5 days (range: 3...
The Equine Reproductive Microbiota: Composition, Dynamics, Dysbiosis, and Implications for Fertility in Mares and Stallions. The equine reproductive microbiota has emerged as an important factor influencing reproductive health and fertility in both mares and stallions. Traditionally, the equine uterus was considered sterile, and microbial presence was interpreted primarily in the context of infection. However, sequencing-based studies have demonstrated that the reproductive tract, including the uterus and semen, contains detectable microbial communities or microbial DNA signatures, challenging this traditional paradigm. In mares, the vaginal microbiota is consistently dominated by , , , and , whereas the uterine env...
The Effects of L-Citrulline on the Apparent Digestion and Metabolism of Nutrients, Blood Hormone Levels, Amino Acid Metabolism and the Diversity of Faecal Microbiota in Mares in the Later Stage of Pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary L-citrulline supplementation on the health of mares during late gestation. Thirty-two healthy mares in late pregnancy were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group (CON, 0 g/d) and three treatment groups receiving 15, 30, and 45 g/d/head of L-citrulline, respectively. The trial spanned 72 days, including a 12-day adaptation phase and a 60-day formal feeding period. A fixed daily feeding amount of 11.2 kg/head was provided, ensuring complete consumption and consistent dry matter intake across all groups. Results demonstrated that su...
Prepubic Tendon Rupture and Uterine Herniation in a Late-Term Kurdish Mare: A Case Report. Prepubic tendon rupture (PPTR) is a rare but life-threatening complication in late-term pregnant mares. It results in abdominal wall failure, ventral oedema and a poor prognosis for both the mare and foetus. A 14-year-old multiparous Kurdish mare at approximately 310 days of gestation presented with acute ventral distension, reluctance to walk and cranial displacement of the udder. Clinical evaluation revealed tachycardia, pallor and Grade 3/4 ventral oedema. Haematology indicated leucocytosis and haemoconcentration. Transabdominal ultrasonography showed a viable foetus and severe thinning of ...
Hyperactivation and Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Cryopreserved Stallion Spermatozoa in Relation to Conventional In Vitro Fertilization Blastocyst Production. Challenges in establishing clinical conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) in horses include variation in sperm and oocyte quality, which can be affected by mare age. Extended preincubation of stallion spermatozoa has resulted in successful IVF. However, there is limited research on the impact of preincubation on sperm characteristics and IVF success. Objective: Responses of frozen-thawed stallion spermatozoa over time under IVF preincubation conditions were evaluated, and samples based on specific responses were tested for their ability to fertilize oocytes, including those from older mare...
Age, embryo donor status, and insemination with chilled semen all predispose to persistent breeding-induced endometritis in warmblood mares. Persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) is a common reason for mares failing to establish pregnancy. Objective: To examine the hypothesis that advancing mare age and embryo donor status predispose to PBIE and compromise fertility. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the impact of mare age, breeding system (embryo donor versus broodmare), and semen type (chilled versus frozen-thawed) on the likelihood of PBIE and subsequent pregnancy/embryo recovery. Methods: Warmblood mares (n = 769) inseminated during 1745 oestrous cycles were divided into three age categories (≤6, 7-13 and ≥14...
Epidemiology of open and closed diastemata in equine cheek teeth and associations with periodontal pathology. Cheek-tooth diastemata are a common dental abnormality in horses and are considered a major predisposing factor for periodontal disease. However, the influence of diastema type and anatomical location on disease severity remains incompletely understood. To determine the prevalence and distribution of open and closed cheek-tooth diastemata and evaluate their association with periodontal disease severity in horses, while assessing the influence of age, sex, jaw location and laterality, fifty equine cadaver heads obtained from an abattoir were examined. Diastemata were identified through visual a...
Milk productivity of mares. To determine the milk productivity of Kazakh horses of the Adai region in variants of selection and technological indicators of milk for the production of cumus in the conditions of the Mangyshlak peninsula of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The object of the study was the Kazakh horse of the Adai intra-breed type at "Taushyk" LLP (Tupkaragan District, Mangystau Region). Mares with a more pronounced milk production were selected and analyzed . they have investigated the quality of milk for further processing. A characteristic feature of the dynamics of milk sugar content during lactation has been ...
Relationship between the estrus duration in cyclic mares and the endometrial gene expression on day 7 post-ovulation. This study investigated the effect of estrus duration on endometrial gene expression in cyclic mares on Day 7 post-ovulation, focusing on transcripts relevant to early pregnancy: uterocalin (P19), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), progesterone receptor (PGR), and estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1). Twelve mares were classified according to the estrus duration in long estrus (LE, ≥ 3 days of endometrial edema; n = 7) or short estrus (SE, 0.1). ESR1 expression was undetectable in all samples. These findings suggest that prolonged estrus enhances P19 e...
Physiological and nutritional adaptation of broodmares during the transition from late pregnancy to early lactation: Digestibility changes and the role of uNDF as an internal marker. Nutritional management of broodmares during late pregnancy and early lactation is essential for maternal health and foal well-being. This study evaluated a targeted dietary adaptation during the transition from late gestation to early lactation, monitored nutrient digestibility, and applied undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) as an intrinsic digestibility marker. A prospective nutritional study was conducted on 11 clinically healthy Trotter broodmares (3 primiparous, 8 multiparous) monitored under standardized conditions. Mares received a forage-based diet with controlled starch intake a...
Comparative analysis of the transcriptome and methylome in distinct trophoblast populations at the time of embryo implantation in mares. BACKGROUND: During equine implantation, two distinct trophoblast subpopulations are identified: the invasive chorionic girdle (CG) and the non-invasive allantochorion. The invasive CG trophoblast is believed to modulate the maternal immune response and facilitates embryo attachment to the endometrium, while the allantochorion contributes to placental development without breaching the endometrium. However, the mechanisms underlying differential adhesion and immune modulation by these two lineages remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the regulation of biological processes un...
Longitudinal assessment of hemostatic adaptations in pregnant mares: Evidence of a physiological hypercoagulable state. Pregnancy triggers intricate hemostatic adjustments that support placental maturation and prepare the maternal organism for delivery. We hypothesized that pregnant mares would progressively shift toward a procoagulant state throughout gestation, reflected in changes to coagulation and fibrinolytic markers. To test this hypothesis, 15 clinically healthy Spanish Purebred pregnant mares were monitored monthly from conception to term, alongside 15 non-pregnant controls of similar age and breed. A comprehensive hemostatic profile-including platelet (PLT) count, prothrombin time (PT), activated part...
Fungal endometritis in broodmares: clinical presentation, prevalence in Ireland and diagnostic performance of cytology. Fungal endometritis is an uncommon uterine condition associated with poor fertility. Objective: This study aimed to 1) provide a descriptive summary of 11 cases of fungal endometritis, 2) assess prevalence trends of fungal endometritis over time, 3) assess fungal species distribution in diagnostic samples, and 4) evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cytology. Methods: Study 1 reviewed records of 11 mares diagnosed with fungal endometritis for history, presentation, treatment, and outcome. Study 2 analysed 6,727 uterine samples (swabs and lavages; 2019-2024) for factors influencing fungal cultur...
Periovulatory administration of therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses of firocoxib does not impair induced ovulation or follicular dynamics in mares treated with a GnRH analogue. To evaluate the effects of therapeutic and supratherapeutic periovulatory doses of firocoxib on ovulation and follicular dynamics in mares. Methods: Seventy cycling mares were randomly assigned to receive firocoxib at 0.1 mg/kg (n = 27), firocoxib at 0.3 mg/kg (n = 22), or no treatment (control; n = 21). Treatments were initiated on Day 0, defined as the day of ovulation induction with a GnRH analogue administered intramuscularly, with firocoxib administered intravenously on Day 0 and Day 1 (24 h apart). Follicular diameter and ovulation timing were assessed by transrectal ultrasonography. Res...
Saliva and plasma metabolome analysis during the five days before foaling in the mare. Saliva is a relevant biofluid for real-time welfare-friendly monitoring of systemic events in animals, because some bioanalytes have a systemic origin and its collection is painless, stress-free and non-invasive. Our aim was to analyze the metabolome of equine saliva during the five days before foaling, with a focus on identifying metabolites whose level significantly changed before parturition, that could be potential salivary biomarkers of the onset of parturition. We compared the saliva and plasma metabolomes to investigate their relationship. Saliva and blood samples were collected from tw...
Population Structure and Genetic Diversity Among Lipizzan Mare Families in Hungary Based on Microsatellite Genotyping. The conservation of genetic diversity in historically structured horse breeds requires fi-ne-scale population genetic evaluation beyond conventional pedigree-based approaches. The present study assessed genetic diversity, population structure, and mare family differentiation in a Lipizzan horse population using 16 ISAG/FAO-recommended microsatellite markers. A total of 172 mares representing 29 mare families were genotyped. All loci were polymorphic, with a mean number of alleles per locus of 6.69 and a mean effective number of alleles of 3.56. The average polymorphism information content (PIC...
Endometrial Evaluation Using Video-Assisted Hysteroscopy After Uterine Prolapse Management in a Mare. This case report describes the successful application of video-assisted hysteroscopy to evaluate endometrial recovery in a 6-year-old mare following treatment for complete uterine prolapse secondary to dystocia. Upon presentation, the uterus was manually reduced and supported with a Buhner's suture. A multimodal medical protocol, including broad-spectrum antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and uterine lavage, was initiated. Five days after reduction, an endoscopic evaluation was performed using a dedicated videovaginoscope without uterine insufflation. The procedure provided high-resolution i...
Comparative analysis of uterine inflammation in jennies and mares after insemination with cryopreserved donkey semen. The limited fertility of jennies inseminated with frozen donkey semen remains a major challenge for donkey reproduction and conservation, contrasting with the more favorable outcomes observed in mares. Species-specific differences in post-breeding uterine inflammation have been proposed as a key factor underlying this disparity. This study compared the uterine inflammatory response and pregnancy outcomes of jennies and mares inseminated with frozen donkey semen. Twelve jennies and eleven mares were monitored over 48 and 44 estrous cycles, respectively. Artificial insemination (AI) was performe...
Impact of donor mare and stallion identity on the likelihood of pregnancy after transfer of in vitro produced embryos. The success of in vitro embryo production (IVEP) is influenced by donor mare and stallion. Objective: To determine whether donor mare and stallion influence the pregnancy rate after transfer of in vitro produced (IVP) blastocysts and to identify factors influencing the likelihood of obtaining one or more pregnancies from a single IVEP session. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: The influence of the following variables on pregnancy outcome was assessed in 2292 transfers of IVP blastocysts: speed of in vitro embryo development, embryo grade after thawing, age of the donor mare, blas...
