Clinical application of hysteroscopic hydrotubation for unexplained infertility in the mare.

The research analyzes the effectiveness of hysteroscopic selective hydrotubation, a non-surgical procedure, as a solution to presumed oviductal blockage in mares. The study shows that the procedure significantly improved the pregnancy rates in mares which faced unexplained subfertility.

Objective and Methods

• The purpose of the research was to assess the application of hysteroscopic selective hydrotubation to treat probable oviductal blockage which may lead to unexplained subfertility in mares.
• The study was conducted as a retrospective case series where a set amount of saline (10 mL) was flushed through the oviducts of 28 sedated mares.
• These mares had a history of unexplained subfertility and were mated with proven fertile stallions over various cycles without any signs of conception.
• The infusion of saline was performed by inserting a catheter into the uterotubal junction with the aid of endoscopic guidance.

Results

• Out of the 28, successful saline infusion in a total of 50 oviducts was achieved.
• Following the procedure, conception was achieved in 26 out of the treated mares.
• The average number of cycles required for each mare to conceive after the treatment was significantly lower at 1.8 ± 0.8, as compared to 6.5 ± 4.5 cycles before the treatment.

Conclusion

• The study made a presumptive diagnosis of blocked oviducts and used pre-existing infertility conditions as a parameter for assessing the effectiveness of the treatment.
• The conclusion drawn from the research indicates that the method of hysteroscopic hydrotubation using saline demonstrated potential as a treatment option, as it improved pregnancy rates in mares where oviductal blockage was suspected to cause unexplained subfertility.