Bacteria isolated from uterine washings from mares in the Sudan.

This study examined uterine washes from 200 mares in Sudan, found a variety of bacteria in 77% of the samples, and treated a subset with antibiotics, of which a majority successfully conceived and delivered healthy foals.

Study Overview

• The study was conducted from May 1977 to May 1978 at the Khartoum Veterinary Clinic in Sudan.
• Uterine washes, which are fluid samples taken from the uterus, were collected from 200 barren mares (female horses that are unable to produce offspring).
• These samples were examined to identify and isolate different types of bacteria.

Findings

• The researchers found that a variety of bacteria were present in 77 percent of the mares investigated.
• This finding suggests that these mares were affected by various bacterial infections, which could have potentially caused their inability to reproduce.

Treatment and Result

• Among the mares investigated, 30 were selected for treatment. They were administered with an appropriate antibiotic therapy, which included both parenteral (non-oral) injection and intrauterine infusion (inserting the antibiotics directly into the uterus).
• Outcomes of this treatment were positive with 21 of these 30 mares being able to successfully conceive after the antibiotic therapy. It indicates a success rate of approximately 70%.
• Among the mares that conceived, 17 delivered healthy foals, while four experienced early embryonic deaths. This suggests that the antibiotic treatment not only improved the fertility rates but also largely ensured successful pregnancy and delivery of healthy offspring for previously barren mares.

Conclusion and Implication

• This research provides important insights into bacterial infections as a cause of infertility in mares. The positive treatment outcomes indicate that appropriate antibiotic treatments can enhance fertility by combating the bacterial infection.
• Furthermore, these findings have potential implications for expanding our understanding of infertility in other animals and potentially in humans.