Uterine health in horses pertains to the condition and functionality of the uterus, an essential component of the mare's reproductive system. The uterus is responsible for supporting the development of the embryo and fetus during gestation. Various factors, such as infections, inflammation, and anatomical abnormalities, can impact uterine health, potentially affecting fertility and reproductive performance. Common conditions affecting the equine uterus include endometritis, pyometra, and uterine cysts. Assessment of uterine health often involves diagnostic tools like ultrasonography, endometrial biopsies, and cytological evaluations. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the anatomy, pathology, diagnostic techniques, and treatment options related to uterine health in horses.
Foster RA, Gartley CJ, Newman S.Cervical and uterine varices with thrombosis were observed at the necropsy of a virgin 16-year-old Peruvian Paso that had previous episodes of hemorrhage from the uterus. Practitioners and pathologists should be alert to the possibility of ruptured varices in mares with hemorrhage into the uterus or from the vulva.
Reilas T, Katila T, Mäkelä O, Huhtinen M, Koskinen E.Intrauterine fluid (IUF) was collected using a tampon from mid-oestrous mares (n = 57) with and without ultrasonically detectable accumulations of free intraluminal fluid. Bacteria were cultured and neutrophils counted from all samples (n = 57). Total protein concentration, trypsin-inhibitor capacity (TIC), and plasmin, beta-glucuronidase (B-Gase) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) activities were determined in 27 IUF samples. The motility of spermatozoa in the presence of IUF, IUF extended with Kenney's medium (1:1) and Kenney's medium alone was analysed in 9 samples using a Hamilto...
Rasch K, Schoon HA, Sieme H, Klug E.The aim of this field study was to examine the influence of the uterotonic substance oxytocin in 2 different therapeutic dosages of 15 and 25 i.u., respectively on the uterine drainage of oestrous mares and on their fertility. In addition endometrial biopsies of mares with and without intrauterine fluid accumulations around the time of ovulation were evaluated histomorphologically regarding the aetiology of susceptibility to uterine infection. A population of 59 Hanoverian Warmblood mares was used in this study. The mares were divided into Group A (mares with intrauterine fluid accumulations [...
Gastal MO, Gastal EL, Kot K, Ginther OJ.The temporal relationships among day of conceptus fixation (cessation of mobility), conceptus diameter, uterine tone, uterine contractility, and myometrial and endometrial thickness of the middle and caudal segments of the uterine horns were assessed in 13 pony mares with fixation in the caudal segment of a uterine horn. The mean day of fixation (14.9 +/- 0.3) was established by 2-h mobility trials. Uterine tone increased (P < 0.0001) gradually over Days 11 to 21, whereas uterine contractility decreased (P < 0.0001) between Days 14 and 18. The diameter of the spherical embryonic vesicle ...
Engelhardt H, King GJ.The epitheliochorial placenta represents the least intimate association between maternal and fetal tissues. The best known examples of this form of placentation are the domestic livestock species. Current information on the nature and proposed functions of uterine lymphocyte populations in ruminants (sheep and cattle), horses and pigs is presented. In ruminants unusual gamma delta T cells may play a role in mid to late gestation. During normal horse pregnancy, fetally derived endometrial cup cells invade the uterine stroma and are destroyed by maternal leukocytes midway through gestation. Natu...
Glatzel PS, Belz JP.Because of the mare's ability to conceive very soon post partum a thoroughly performed control of the puerperal period is of particular importance. In addition to cytological and histological examinations of the uterus, rectal palpation and vaginoscopic inspection as well as microbiological examinations of uterine swabs and the evaluation of the mare's hormonal status during the puerperal period provide useful information which can be used either prognostically or to initiate a specific therapy. 55 mares were examined on days 3, 6 and 9 post partum. Rectal palpation, vaginoscopic inspection, m...
Tunón AM, Rodriguez-Martinez H, Haglund A, Albihn A, Magnusson U, Einarsson S.Cyclical accumulation of uterine fluid occurs during oestrus and is often seen in excessive volumes in mares considered susceptible to endometritis. Since the mechanisms behind the formation of free uterine fluid remain to be clarified, the fine structure of the secretory equine endometrium was studied in biopsies collect during videoendoscopy from 14 endometritis-free, 4-9-year-old mares during oestrus. A distinct oedema of the tunica mucosa was evident. The surface epithelium had both ciliated and nonciliated cells and, particularly at the uterine body, often presented intra-epithelial macro...
Nambo Y, Oikawa M, Yoshihara T, Kuwano A, Katayama Y.To investigate the morphological changes of uterine wall arteries associated with the progression of age in Thoroughbred broodmares, uterine wall arteries from 13 mares, aged 2 to 31 years, were studied by routine histomorphometry. The ratio of intimal thickness to external diameter increased due to hyperplasia of elastic fibers and was significantly correlated with age (r = 0.95, P < 0.001). The ratio of medial thickness to external diameter decreased and was also significantly correlated with age (r = -0.84, P < 0.001). Using electron microscopy, it was determined that the cross-sectional ar...
Belz JP, Glatzel PS.Because of the mare's ability to conceive very soon post partum a thoroughly performed control of the puerperal period is of particular importance. Cytological examinations of uterine content and histological examinations of uterine biopsy specimens provide more detailed information than microbiological examinations of uterine swabs. Uterine content and uterus biopsy specimens of 55 mares were examined histologically on days 3, 6 and 9 post partum. We observed a heavy polymorphonuclear reaction of the endometrium following disturbed puerperal processes especially in cases of retained placenta....
Troedsson MH, Scott MA, Liu IK.Four intrauterine treatment strategies were evaluated for effectiveness in mares that were confirmed to be susceptible to chronic uterine infection. Pretreatment samples were obtained at detection of estrus, and a genital strain of Streptococcus zooepidemicus was infused into the uterus when a preovulatory (> 35 mm) follicle was detected. At 12 hours after inoculation, mares were assigned to 1 of 4 selected treatment groups: autologous plasma, 100 ml (n = 5); potassium penicillin, 5 million U in 100 ml of phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBSS; n = 5); 10 mg of prostaglandin F2 alpha in 1...
Widders PR, Warner S, Huntington PJ.Normal mares were immunised by the intramuscular and intrauterine administration of an antigen with adjuvant and they and unimmunised control mares were later challenged by the intrauterine instillation of pathogenic Streptococcus zooepidemicus; the response of all the mares was monitored clinically and bacteriologically for seven days. Significantly fewer S zooepidemicus were present in cervical swabs taken from the immunised mares than from the control mares (P < 0.01) and the degree of inflammation in the genital tract of the immunised mares was also significantly less (P < 0.001). Th...
Hassel DM, Ragle CA.The research study details the diagnosis and treatment of a uterine tear in a 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare, which had complications during labor. The mare, displaying signs of prolonged labor, […]
Perkins NR, Frazer GS.This article briefly reviews the clinical management of emergency conditions likely to be encountered by veterinarians responsible for the reproductive health of mares. The article discusses rectal tears, breeding injuries, uterine torsion, placental hydrops, and prepubic tendon rupture. A major component discusses a recommended approach to dystocias, and the management of such complications as uterine rupture and prolapse and postpartum hemorrhage. Management of retained fetal membranes and septic metritis is addressed.
Schatzmann U, Jossfck H, Stauffer JL, Goossens L.The effect of three alpha 2-agonistic sedatives, Detomidine (0.04 mg/kg), Romifidine (0.08 mg/kg) Xylazine (1.1 mg/kg) and placebo (NaCl), on intrauterine pressure was investigated with an intrauterine balloon model in four non-pregnant warmblood mares. Within 6.0 (+/- 2.2) min mean pressure increases of 9.80 (+/- 3.74), 6.88 (+/- 3.95) and 13.95 (+/- 5.19) mmHg were recorded for Detomidine, Romifidine and Xylazine, respectively. Placebo had no significant effect. The mean duration of pressure increase was 30.0 (+/- 5.10), 17.67 (+/- 9.87) and 19.50 (+/- 13.78) min for Detomidine, Romifidine a...
LeBlanc M, Neuwirth L, Mauragis D, Klapstein E, Tran T.The effects of oxytocin on the percentage of technetium 99m albumin colloid (99mTc-microAA), cleared from the uterine lumen was measured in 13 mares. Scintigraphy was performed during 4 consecutive oestrous cycles, on Day 3 of oestrus during Cycles one and 3 and 48 h after ovulation during Cycles 2 and 4. Oxytocin (20 iu) was given i.v. after the initial scintigraphy image during Cycles 3 and 4. Seven multiparous mares (Group 1) were classified as 'susceptible' and 6 mares (2 nulliparous and 4 multiparous; Group 2) were classified as 'resistant' to endometritis. All mares cleared > 90% of 99mT...
Scudamore CL, Pemberton AD, Miller HR, McDonnell AM, Thomson SR, Dawson A, Watson ED.An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed and used to estimate the concentrations of the serine proteinase inhibitor, alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (API), in uterine flushings recovered from mares at different stages of the oestrous cycle and before and after the induction of experimental endometritis. There was a significant increase in the concentrations of API and albumin relative to total protein in flushings recovered during oestrus compared with dioestrus but no difference was observed in the concentrations of these proteins relative to total protein before and after the ...
Johnson JU, Oxender WD, Berkhoff HA.Effect of estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) on uterine antibacterial activity and immunoglobulin concentrations in mares was studied. In 2 in vitro experiments, 6 mixed-breed mares were ovariectomized, and uterine fluid and blood serum were analyzed. Antibacterial assay methods were used to determine inhibitory effects on Streptococcus zooepidemicus of uterine fluid samples collected on days 3, 5, and 8, and serum obtained on day 8 of treatment. Single radial immunodiffusion methods were used to quantify amounts of IgA and IgG in uterine fluid and serum on days 3, 5, 8, and 14 of treatment. ...
Vivrette S.The endocrinology of late gestation and parturition in the mare has been described, but unlike other domestic animal species, the factors that initiate parturition in the mare have not been elucidated. In contrast to ruminant species, maternal estrogen and progesterone concentrations do not change markedly, and a well-defined fetal cortisol surge is not observed just prior to parturition in the mare. Parturition is associated with large increases in prostaglandin and oxytocin concentrations, which induce uterine contractions and delivery of the foal. There are many methods of inducing parturit...
LeBlanc MM, Neuwirth L, Asbury AC, Tran T, Mauragis D, Klapstein E.The percentage of Technetium 99m-albumin colloid (99mTc-microAA), a radiocolloid, cleared from the uterine lumen within 4 h of intrauterine infusion, was measured in 15 mares during 2 consecutive cycles, on Day 3 of oestrus and 48 h after ovulation. Four nulliparous (Group 1) and 4 multiparous (Group 2) mares were classified as resistant and the remaining 7 multiparous mares were classified as susceptible (Group 3) to endometritis. Mares in Groups 1 and 2 cleared more 99mTc-microAA from their uteri than did mares in Group 3 during oestrus (P < 0.01) and 48 h after ovulation (P 50% of the c...
Troedsson MH, Liu IK, Ing M, Pascoe J, Thurmond M.The electrical myometrial activity of three mares with a documented increased susceptibility to chronic uterine infection (CUI) and three mares considered to be resistant to CUI was investigated. Electrodes were surgically implanted in the myometrium of the mares and electrical activity was monitored by a Grass polygraph. Oestrus was determined by transrectal ultrasonography of the reproductive tract and teasing of the mares with a stallion. Findings were confirmed by blood progesterone concentrations 35 mm was detected, the uterus was infused with a genital strain of 5 x 10(6) Streptococcus ...
Waelchli RO, Känzig M, Gygax A, Corboz L, Rüsch P.A total of 368 uterine swabs were taken from mares in heat (n = 202) and from mares that were not in heat (n = 166). From 72 of the mares, two swabs were taken; one during either seasonal anoestrus or dioestrus, and one during oestrus. Swabs were taken during anoestrus/dioestrus in 94 other mares and during oestrus in the remaining 130 mares. Bacteriological cultures were done aerobically and classified as negative, insignificant or significant. There was a trend for more positive cytological specimens during oestrus than during anoestrus/dioestrus. The proportions of significant cultures were...
Troedsson MH, Liu IK, Thurmond M.In vitro phagocytosis and chemotaxis of uterine and blood-derived polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) were compared in mares with different resistance to chronic uterine infection (CUI). Both the primary in vitro function of PMNs and the role of uterine environmental factors on PMN function were investigated. The uteri of mares susceptible to (n = 6) and resistant to CUI (n = 5) were inoculated with 5 x 10(6) Streptococcus zooepidemicus when the mares were in estrus. Uterine secretions in addition to uterine and blood-derived PMNs were sampled at 5 and 24 h later. During a subsequent estrus, ...
Troedsson MH, Liu IK, Thurmond M.The validity of measuring concentrations of immunoglobulins in undiluted uterine secretions was established. The concentrations of IgG, IgA, and cleavage factor C3 of the complement system in uterine secretions were compared in mares with different resistance to chronic uterine infection (CUI). The uteri of mares susceptible (n = 6) and resistant to CUI (n = 5) were inoculated with 5 x 10(6) Streptococcus zooepidemicus when the mares were in estrus. Uterine secretions were sampled, and sampling was immediately followed by a uterine lavage at 5 and 24 h after bacterial inoculation. During a sub...
Vanderwall DK, Woods GL, Weber JA, Lichtenwalner AB.Transrectal ultrasonography was used to test the hypothesis that prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) would increase the uterine transport of simulated embryonic vesicles in mares. Uterine transport of PGE(2)-releasing (PGE) vesicles, vehicle-releasing (sham) vesicles, and equine embryos was contrasted on Day 12 or Day 13 post ovulation. In Experiment 1, there was no difference (P>0.10) in transport of PGE vesicles, sham vesicles, Day-12 embryos, and Day-12 embryos after cervical manipulation (n = 3 per group). In Experiments 2 and 3, respectively, transport of PGE and sham vesicles was contrasted with...
The paper is a report from a workshop discussing equine endometritis, a condition affecting horse fertility. The event was held in honor of Professor John Hughes and his significant contributions […]
Oikawa M, Katayama Y, Yoshihara T, Kaneko M, Yoshikawa T.The morphology of the arteries in the uterine wall was studied in three multiparous aged mares that had suffered repeated pregnancy failure. The uterine wall arteries exhibited elastosis of the intima or adventitia, or both, resembling "physiological pregnancy sclerosis". In areas affected by elastosis, degeneration of the pre-existing elastic fibres and increased glycosaminoglycans were frequently observed. Newly formed elastic fibres were not evident. Delayed resorption due to disordered metabolic turnover of the elastin was thought to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of the arteri...
Govaere J, Maes S, Saey V, Blancke W, Hoogewijs M, Deschauwer C, Smits K, Roels K, Vercauteren G, de Kruif A.This paper describes a case of uterine fibrosarcoma in an 18-year-old Warmblood mare. The mare had exhibited bloody fluid accumulation inside the uterus and vaginal haemorrhagic discharge since the previous foaling. The mare was euthanized, and on pathological examination, in addition to the uterine neoplasia, multiple metastases were found in the lungs, liver and spleen. The histological and immunohistochemical examination determined that the tumour was a fibrosarcoma. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to describe a uterine fibrosarcoma in a mare.
Widders PR, Warner S, Huntington PJ.Normal mares were immunised by the intramuscular and intrauterine administration of an antigen with adjuvant and they and unimmunised control mares were later challenged by the intrauterine instillation of pathogenic Streptococcus zooepidemicus; the response of all the mares was monitored clinically and bacteriologically for seven days. Significantly fewer S zooepidemicus were present in cervical swabs taken from the immunised mares than from the control mares (P < 0.01) and the degree of inflammation in the genital tract of the immunised mares was also significantly less (P < 0.001). Th...
Da Silva-Álvarez E, Gómez-Arrones V, Martín-Cano FE, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, Carrasco JJ, Gil MC, Peña Vega FJ....In this study, uterine blood flow area (BFA) has been evaluated for the first time using power Doppler ultrasound (PD) as a marker of endometritis in mares and jennies. The uterine BFA in healthy mares was greater in oestrus than in diestrus (p < .001). However, differences in endometrial blood flow between oestrus and diestrus were not observed in mares with endometritis. The uterine blood flow in healthy jennies is not affected by the oestrus cycle. Both species showed an increase in endometrial BFA in pathological uterine conditions compared to controls. BFA was a good marker of endome...
Pérez-Marín CC, Vizuete G, Borge C, Galisteo JJ.While testing for uterine bacterial infection is usually performed prior to artificial insemination (AI), samples taken during or after embryo flushing are generally not assessed either in subfertile and old mares or in fertile mares, even though knowledge of the status of the uterine environment in which the embryo is to develop would help to predict the outcome of embryo transfer programmes. The presence of bacteria and inflammatory cells in the liquid retained in the filter after uterine flushing in donors was determined at the moment of embryo recovery. Primarily, a group of mares (n = 8) ...
Risco AM, Reilas T, Muilu L, Kareskoski M, Katila T.The most probable reason for persistent postbreeding endometritis in mares is weak myometrial contractility. The influence of oxytocin (OT; an ecbolic agent) and flunixin meglumine (FLU; a prostaglandin inhibitor serving as a model for mares with decreased uterine contractility) on uterine response to artificial insemination (AI) was studied in mares with no history of reproductive failure. The mares were treated intravenously with 10 mL saline (Group C, n=10) or 0.01 IU/kg OT (Group OT, n=10) 2, 4, 8, and 25 h after AI. Group FLU (n=11) was treated with 1.1mg/kg FLU 2h after AI and with salin...
Hahn K, Conze TM, Wollanke B, Distl O, Goehring LS, Witte TS.A 5-month-old draft horse filly was presented with incontinence and severe perivulvar dermatitis, which developed during the previous 2 months. Left-sided ectopic ureter entering in the caudal vaginal lumen, signs of cervix hypoplasia, and urine accumulation in the uterus were found during initial vaginal endoscopy. Therefore, a left ureter-nephrectomy was conducted under general anesthesia. Additionally, a cytogenetic examination was performed, which showed a XO monosomy with a 63,X/64,XX mosaic. This is the first case report presenting a chromosome abnormality in a draft horse filly combine...
Foster RA, Gartley CJ, Newman S.Cervical and uterine varices with thrombosis were observed at the necropsy of a virgin 16-year-old Peruvian Paso that had previous episodes of hemorrhage from the uterus. Practitioners and pathologists should be alert to the possibility of ruptured varices in mares with hemorrhage into the uterus or from the vulva.
Watson ED, Stokes CR, Bourne FJ.The function of blood and uterine luminal neutrophils from ovariectomized mares treated with ovarian steroids was investigated 18 h after intrauterine infusion of 1 X 10(9) Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Random migration of blood neutrophils under agarose was reduced by treatment with progesterone compared with that of neutrophils from oestradiol-treated and control mares. In-vitro addition of progesterone to blood neutrophils from acyclic ponies also reduced migration. Uterine neutrophils did not migrate under agarose which was probably an effect of bacterial phagocytosis. Hormone treatment had...
Sikora M, Nowak M, Racheniuk H, Wojtysiak K, Kozdrowski R.Endometritis and endometrosis have been and still are the major reasons for infertility in mares. The diagnosis of endometritis can be based on cytology and microbiology, but endometrial biopsy is still the only way to diagnose endometrosis in the mare. Our study attempted to determine if a single biopsy using his-topathology and immunohistochemistry is sufficient to ascertain reasons for infertility in Icelandic mares. The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between deviations in endometrial biopsies in terms of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2 (PTGS-2) and fibronec...
Quartuccio M, Marino G, Mannarino C, Cristarella S.Congenital abnormalities of the uterus and the cervix are rare in horses, often associated with infertility, despite normal ovarian activity and sexual behaviour. An abnormality of the cervix in a 5-year-old jennet with a history of infertility was described. Clinical and ultrasound examination of the genital tract showed a normal development of the uterus with regular cyclic activity in both the ovaries. Vaginoscopy revealed a normal development of the vagina and a cervix deviated on the left side of the vagina by a thick dorsoventral fold. The lateral deviation was permanent in any stage of ...
Neves AP, Keller A, Trein CR, Möller G, Jobim MI, Castilho LF, Cardoso MR, Leibold W, Zerbe H, Klug E, Gregory RM, Mattos RC.This study compared four treatments for bacterial endometritis in mares experimentally infected with Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Twenty-five mares were used, 20 resistant and five susceptible to endometritis. Mares would be in estrus when infected. Twenty-four hours after inoculation, clinical, bacteriological and cytological examinations were performed and repeated until the first occurrence: negative cytology and no Streptococcus growth or the seventh day post-infection. All mares showed clinical signs of endometritis and were assigned to one of the following treatments: (1) intrauterine in...
De Lille AJ, Silvers ML, Cadario ME, Tran TQ, Cage CL, LeBlanc MM.The effects of the sedatives xylazine (predominantly alpha2 agonist) and acepromazine (predominantly alpha1 antagonist) and their influence on intrauterine pressure were measured in four reproductively normal mares and four mares with delayed uterine clearance. Intrauterine pressure was measured in each mare during oestrus for three 100 min periods using an 8-F catheter with three discrete pressure sensors. After 10 min of baseline recording, xylazine, acepromazine or saline was administered i.v. Oxytocin was administered i.v. after a further 30 min, and pressure recordings were continued for ...
Engle CE, Foley CW, Witherspoon DM, Scarth RD, Goetsch DD.Three experiments were conducted on the metabolism of stallion sperm. In experiment 1, whole and washed sperm were incubated under aerobic and anaerobic enviroments and analyzed before and after controlled incubation for motility, pH, lactic acid, glucose, fructose, and O2 comsumption. In experiment 2, whole and washed sperm were incubated aerobically and anaerobically with and without uterine tubal fluids. Experiment 3 was the same as experiment 2, except added substrates of glucose and lactic acid were studied. The same examinations were made in experiments 2 and 3 as for experiment 1. Motil...
Watson ED, Stokes CR, Bourne FJ.Prostaglandins (PGs) F and E2 were measured in lavage fluid from the uterus of ovariectomised mares after experimental induction of uterine inflammation. Treatment with progesterone alone, or progesterone followed by oestradiol, significantly increased the concentrations of these PGs in the lavage compared with mares treated with oestradiol or control mares. Ovarian steroids, therefore, influenced uterine PG synthesis in response to an inflammatory stimulus. To determine whether the uterine lavage procedure might contribute to the concentrations of prostaglandins in the lavage, the procedure w...
Sexton PE, Bristol FM.Bacteriology, histology, and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate uterine involution in 27 mares treated with daily injections of 150 mg of progesterone and 10 mg of estradiol-17 beta, commencing within 18 hours of parturition. These findings were compared with those for 24 untreated mares at postpartum day 10 or 11. The treatment resulted in significantly (P less than 0.05) greater uterine gland proliferation. Gland density was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater in mares treated for 6 to 10 days than in those treated 2 to 5 days. The proportion of ciliated cells to secreto...
McCue PM, Hughes JP.Mares (n = 37) were treated on Days 2 and 4 post partum with a uterine lavage of 10 l of warm, sterile NaCl (0.9%) solution. Endometrial cytology and culture were performed on Day 7. Mares were bred on the first postpartum estrus by artificial insemination. Pregnancy rates were determined by ultrasound examination at Day 16 post ovulation. No differences were noted in degree of uterine inflammation or presence of uterine bacteria at Day 7 post partum between treated (n = 18) and control (n = 19) mares. Pregnancy rates at the first postpartum estrus for treated mares (55.5%) was not statistical...
Handler J, Hoffmann D, Weber F, Schams D, Aurich C.The aim of the present study was, to investigate the effects of oxytocin administration on Day 7 post-ovulation on progesterone secretion, pregnancy rate and embryonic growth in mares. Endogenous stimulation of oxytocin release was compared to the administration of native oxytocin or the long-acting oxytocin analogue carbetocin. At Day 7 after ovulation, mares had to undergo four treatments in a crossover design: (a) control, (b) oxytocin (10 IU i.v.), (c) carbetocin (280 microg i.m.) and (d) cervical dilation. On Day 13, all mares (8 of 8 mares) were pregnant on groups control, oxytocin and c...
Coruzzi G, Poli E, Montanari C, Bertaccini G.1. Uterine motility was studied in vitro in the myometrial tissue obtained from pregnant and non-pregnant mares. 2. The spontaneous contractions of the preparations were not modified by tetrodotoxin, by anticholinergics, antiadrenergics, histamine H1 and H2 blockers, antiserotoninergic and opioid antagonists; but disappeared in Ca2+ and Na+ free medium. 3. beta 2-adrenergic stimulants like salbutamol and hexoprenaline and the calcium channel blockers nifedipine and verapamil were effective inhibitors of the amplitude of phasic contractions (ID50S for salbutamol and nifedipine were 7.7 nM and 1...
Tunón AM, Rodríguez-Martínez H, Hultén C, Nummijärvi A, Magnusson U.Undiluted uterine fluid from 20 Warmblood/Standardbred mares (5 to 14 yr old) was recovered by absorption to an intrauterine tampon. The mares were considered gynecologically healthy based on a clinical examination including uterine swabs for cytology and bacteriology as well as endometrial biopsy examinations. The protein profiles (SDS-PAGE) and concentrations of total protein, albumin, and immunoglobulins (Ig) A and G in the uterine fluid were examined and compared with the same proteins in serum. Major peaks were identified on the obtained protein profiles, and there was a clear similarity ...
Reilas T, Huhtinen M, Oksanen M, Katila T.The aim of the study was to determine whether neutrophil numbers (PMN), trypsin-inhibitor capacity (TIC), lysozyme, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase), beta-glucuronidase (B-Gase), total protein, and plasmin in uterine lavage fluid of postpartum (p.p.) mares, either at the time of foal heat insemination or around the time of arrival of the embryo in the uterus, could be used in predicting conception. Fifteen mares were inseminated within 13 h after the first p.p. ovulation. Uterine lavage fluids were successfully collected from 9 out of 12 mares before insemination and from all 15 mares ...
Bollwein H, Weber F, Steffen S, Stolla R.In previous studies, transrectal color Doppler sonography was used to demonstrate an increase in genital blood flow resistance in subfertile mares. The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of an anticoagulant (acetylsalicylic acid) and a vasodilator (captopril) on uterine and ovarian perfusion and plasma progesterone concentrations in cycling mares. From Day 1 to 11 of an estrous cycle (Day 0=day of ovulation following prostaglandin-induced luteolysis), five Trotter mares were given 2500 mg lactose, 2500 mg ASA, or 50 mg captopril twice daily in their feed (one compoun...
Jung C, Hospes R, Bostedt H, Litzke LF.To report on the outcome of surgical treatment of uterine torsion in preterm mares. Methods: Retrospective case series of pregnant mares with uterine torsion presented to the Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals. Methods: Hospital records of all pregnant mares that underwent ventral midline laparotomy for uterine torsion between 1998 and 2004 were reviewed. The signalment, history, clinical signs, results of diagnostic procedures, direction and degree of the uterine twist, treatment and outcome were retrieved from each case record. Results: This study com...
Cross DT, Ginther OJ.Uterine contractions in 8 nonpregnant and 13 pregnant mares were studied using ultrasonography. A 1-min video tape recording was made of longitudinal real-time images of the uterine body. An overall uterine contractile activity score (0 = no or minimal activity to 4 = maximal activity) was assigned to each video tape segment. There was a day effect (P less than .01) and an interaction (P less than .01) of reproductive status X day. Uterine activity scores were highest on d 14 to d 18 (d 0 = day of ovulation) for nonpregnant mares and on d 10 to d 14 for pregnant mares. Uterine activity scores ...
Brown JE, Corstvet RE, Stratton LG.Two experiments incorporating 13 mares were conducted for the purpose of producing and monitoring intrauterine infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae. In the pilot study, the infection was produced with strains of K pneumoniae type 68 and type 10 isolated from the genital tract of stallions with a history of breeding problems. In the principal study, K pneumoniae type 68 was used to produce the infection. Tampons and guarded culture swabs were used to obtain uterine samples in the pilot study. In comparing the efficacies of isolation of K pneumoniae with the tampons and isolation with standard g...
Vivrette S.The endocrinology of late gestation and parturition in the mare has been described, but unlike other domestic animal species, the factors that initiate parturition in the mare have not been elucidated. In contrast to ruminant species, maternal estrogen and progesterone concentrations do not change markedly, and a well-defined fetal cortisol surge is not observed just prior to parturition in the mare. Parturition is associated with large increases in prostaglandin and oxytocin concentrations, which induce uterine contractions and delivery of the foal. There are many methods of inducing parturit...
Brook D.A guarded, sterile swab is used to obtain samples for uterine culture. With the mare in stocks, the tail bandage and the perineum washed, the culture rod is introduced into the vagina with a gloved hand. After the rod is guided through the cervix, the guard cap is dislodged and the swab is rubbed along the endometrium, after which the rod is extracted. Samples for uterine culture should only be obtained during full estrus. Swabs should be directly plated onto agar within 2 hours of collection. Blood agar is appropriate for initial screening, but use of specialized types of agar expedites ident...
Tukia E, Wagner B, Vainio K, Mönki J, Kareskoski M.Postpartum metritis in mares is a life-threatening condition associated with severe clinical signs due to endotoxemia, and it is often followed by complications such as laminitis. Repeated large-volume uterine lavages are commonly recommended as a part of the treatment protocol to remove endotoxin-laden contents from the uterus. It has, however, also been suggested that lavages may increase the uptake of endotoxin into the circulation, leading to a deterioration of clinical signs. Endotoxemia is associated with the release of a multitude of inflammatory mediators regulating the immune response...
von Reitzenstein M, Callahan MA, Hansen PJ, LeBlanc MM.An experiment was conducted to determine whether the uterotonic effects of oxytocin, a drug used to treat mares that have a delay in uterine clearance were affected by the sedative detomidine (an alpha2-agonist), a drug used to treat fractious mares. An additional objective was to identify propagation patterns of uterine contractions and determine whether these patterns differed between normal mares and mares with delayed uterine clearance (DUC). Intrauterine pressure was measured in five reproductively normal mares and four mares with DUC during estrus using an 8-F Milar catheter with two dis...
