Ascending placentitis in the mare: an update.
Abstract: Ascending placentitis is a common cause of premature birth, abortion and delivery of compromised, ill foals. Recent experimental models have investigated diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies in an attempt to improve live foal rate. Diagnostics such as transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonography are used to evaluate foetal well-being and placental separation, while measurement of plasma progestins or oestrogen identifies a stressed or hypoxic foetus. Treatment is directed at stopping spread of infection, maintaining uterine quiescence and blocking production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It must be instituted early if a pregnancy is to be saved. Treatments include antibiotics, tocolytics and immunomodulators. Prompt, aggressive treatment with antibiotics has improved foal viability in experimental models of placentitis.
Publication Date: 2010-07-16 PubMed ID: 20591062DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01633.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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The research paper is a review of recent advances in diagnosing and treating ascending placentitis in mares, a condition that frequently leads to premature births and delivery of ill foals. It particularly discusses the use of ultrasonography for diagnosis and the adoption of antibiotics, tocolytics, and immunomodulators for treatment.
Understanding Ascending Placentitis
- The research paper focuses on ascending placentitis, a widespread equine health issue that frequently results in premature birth, abortion, or the delivery of unhealthy foals. This condition is characterized by an infection that ascends from the lower reproductive tract, causing an inflammation of the placenta.
Diagnostic Procedures
- The researchers used recent experimental models to review the different diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies. The work highlighted two primary diagnostic techniques: transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonography. These are used to examine fetal health and diagnose placental separation.
- The investigators also measured plasma progestins or oestrogen levels to identify stressed or hypoxic (lack of sufficient oxygen) fetuses.
Treatment Strategies
- The goal of the treatment is multi-faceted: to halt the progression of the infection, maintain uterine quiescence (uterine rest), and block the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (proteins responsible for inflammation and response to infections).
- Emphasis is placed on the early initiation of treatment for the salvation of the pregnancy. This treatment may include the use of antibiotics, tocolytics (medicines to halt premature labor), and immunomodulators (drugs able to modify the immune response).
- Prompt and aggressive antibiotic treatment has shown to improve foal viability (ability to survive) in experimental models of placentitis, highlighting its crucial role in the treatment strategy.
Implications and Conclusion
- The research concludes with stressing the need for early detection and aggressive treatment to curtail the negative impact of ascending placentitis on foal birth and health.
- The review showcases the recent advancements in both diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies, offering pathways to improving the live foal rate in cases affected by ascending placentitis.
Cite This Article
APA
LeBlanc MM.
(2010).
Ascending placentitis in the mare: an update.
Reprod Domest Anim, 45 Suppl 2, 28-34.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01633.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY 40580, USA. mleblanc@roodandriddle.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
- Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
- Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
- Bacterial Infections / veterinary
- Estrogens / physiology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Hydrocortisone / physiology
- Placenta Diseases / diagnosis
- Placenta Diseases / drug therapy
- Placenta Diseases / veterinary
- Pregnancy
- Premature Birth / microbiology
- Premature Birth / prevention & control
- Premature Birth / veterinary
- Progestins / physiology
- Prostaglandins / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Fedorka CE, Ali HE, Troedsson MHT. Galectins in Equine Placental Disease. Vet Sci 2023 Mar 13;10(3).
- Gao Y, Hannan MA, Murata K, Rajabi-Toustani R, Nambo Y. Ultrasonographic examination of equine fetal growth parameters throughout gestation in pony for Equine-Assisted Therapy. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Jan 7;84(1):74-81.
- Kinoshita Y, Takechi M, Uchida-Fujii E, Miyazawa K, Nukada T, Niwa H. Ten cases of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis infections linked to equine abortions in Japan, 2018-2019. Vet Med Sci 2021 May;7(3):621-625.
- Kimura Y, Haneda S, Aoki T, Furuoka H, Miki W, Fukumoto N, Matsui M, Nambo Y. Combined thickness of the uterus and placenta and ultrasonographic examinations of uteroplacental tissues in normal pregnancy, placentitis, and abnormal parturitions in heavy draft horses. J Equine Sci 2018;29(1):1-8.
- Scoggin KE, Rakha SI, Abdellatif AM, Adlan F, Helmy YA, Ruby R, Ball B, Boakari Y, Ali HE. Activation of the S100A8/A9 Alarmin Amplifies Inflammatory Pathways in Equine Ascending Placentitis. Int J Mol Sci 2026 Feb 4;27(3).
- van Heule M, Verstraete M, Norris JK, Graniczkowsa KB, Scoggin KE, Ali HE, Ball BA, De Spiegelaere W, Daels P, Weimer BC, Dini P. Beyond nocardioform: Transcriptionally active microbes and host responses in equine mucoid placentitis. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):601-618.
- Hardefeldt L, Thomas K, Page S, Norris J, Browning G, El Hage C, Stewart A, Gilkerson J, Muscatello G, Verwilghen D, van Galen G, Bauquier J, Cuming R, Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Wilkes E, Clulow J, Burden C, Begg L. Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia. Aust Vet J 2025 Dec;103(12):781-889.
- Hemberg E, Morrell JM. Case Report: Diagnosis and treatment of equine ascending placentitis: compilation of 17 case reports. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1591452.
- Morales-Vázquez MM, Meza-Serrano E, Lara-Pereyra I, Acuña-González RJ, Alonso-Morales R, Hayen-Valles S, Boeta AM, Zarco L, Lozano-Cuenca J, López-Canales JS, Flores-Herrera H. Equine Placentitis in Mares Induces the Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine eIL-1β and the Active Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. Vet Sci 2023 Aug 22;10(9).
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