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Acta veterinaria Scandinavica1992; 33(2); 147-160; doi: 10.1186/BF03547321

Early foetal death in the mare. Histological, bacteriological and cytological findings in the endometrium.

Abstract: Fifteen mares which had each lost their pregnancies 2 to 8 times during the preceding 6 years were used in a study comprising 1 or 2 breeding seasons for each mare. During the research period all 15 mares conceived and 10 of the mares had normal pregnancies in the 1st experimental year. Five mares resorbed/aborted once or twice during the 1st year. This was followed by a pregnancy that terminated in a live foal. Histopathological examinations of uterine biopsies showed a wide range of histopathological conditions, from absence of changes excessive for the mare's age and parity to the most severe changes of the endometrium. Most likely, endometritis, acute as well as chronic degenerative endometritis, is the most common cause of early foetal death in the mare. Good breeding management is essential and was often enough to make the mares produce a foal. Additional treatment was needed in some of the mares and was based on the course of the conceptus loss and the condition of the endometrium, as determined by clinical, histological, bacteriological and cytological examinations. Vid histopatologisk undersökning av endometriet återfanns hela skalan från en normal slemhinna till mycket kraftiga förändringar. Endometrit, akut såväl som kronisk degenerativ, utgör med stör sannolikhet en av de viktigaste orsakerna tili tidig fosterdöd hos sto. Skötselfaktorer är av stor vikt för att undvika tidig fosterdöd. God skötsel innebär att stona hålls i god näringsbalans, betäcks få gånger nära ägglossning under den sexuella säsongen, att man söker undvika stressfaktorer, att akut endometrit diagnostice-ras och behandlas före betäckning samt att preventiva åtgärder vidtages mot förnyad endometrit hos infektionskänsliga ston.
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Publication Date: 1992-01-01 PubMed ID: 1502998PubMed Central: PMC8117868DOI: 10.1186/BF03547321Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article focuses on exploring the causes of early foetal death in mares, the adult female horses, by analyzing histological, bacteriological, and cytological findings in the endometrium. The study involved fifteen mares that had experienced miscarriages repeatedly in the past six years and observed a wide range of histopathological conditions, suggesting that endometritis could be a significant cause of such pregnancy losses.

Research Subjects and Methodology

  • The research was conducted on fifteen mares that had lost their pregnancies 2 to 8 times over the preceding 6 years. Each mare was studied over one or two breeding seasons.
  • Throughout the research period, all mares conceived, and out of them, ten mares had normal pregnancies in the first experimental year. The remaining five mares resorbed or aborted once or twice during the first year, followed by successful pregnancies resulting in live foals.

Key Findings

  • Uterine biopsies revealed varied histopathological conditions, ranging from regular age-related and parity-related changes to severe alterations in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus.
  • The study concludes that endometritis, either acute or chronic degenerative, is potentially the primary cause of early foetal deaths in mares. Endometritis is an inflammation of the endometrium, which can affect fertility.

Suggestions for Healthy Breeding Practices

  • Proper breeding management could significantly contribute to the success of pregnancies in mares. In many cases, good breeding care resulted in successful pregnancy and the birth of a live foal.
  • For some mares, additional treatment was necessary, based on the pattern of the conceptus’ loss and the condition of the endometrium. This supplemental treatment was determined following clinical, histologic, bacteriologic, and cytologic analyses.
  • The researchers advise maintaining a balanced diet for the mares, ensuring they mate a few times close to ovulation during the mating season, managing stress factors, diagnosing and treating acute endometritis before mating, and taking proactive measures against renewed endometritis in infection-prone mares.

Cite This Article

APA
Darenius K. (1992). Early foetal death in the mare. Histological, bacteriological and cytological findings in the endometrium. Acta Vet Scand, 33(2), 147-160. https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03547321

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 0044-605X
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 2
Pages: 147-160

Researcher Affiliations

Darenius, K
  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.

MeSH Terms

  • Abortion, Habitual / pathology
  • Abortion, Habitual / veterinary
  • Abortion, Veterinary / pathology
  • Animals
  • Embryo Loss / pathology
  • Embryo Loss / veterinary
  • Endometrium / microbiology
  • Endometrium / pathology
  • Female
  • Fetal Death / pathology
  • Fetal Death / veterinary
  • Fetal Resorption / pathology
  • Fetal Resorption / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Pregnancy

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