Evaluation of uterine tube function in pony mares.

This research investigates two different procedures to diagnose blockage in the uterine tubes of pony mares. It found that the starch grain test was safe and effective, while the phenolsulphonphthalein (PSP) test was not reliable.

Overview of Procedures

• The study started by exploring two experimental procedures designed to diagnose occlusion (blockage) in the equine uterine tube, a crucial part of the mare’s reproductive system.
• The first procedure, known as the starch grain test, involved injecting a starch solution onto the ovary and recovering the starch from the cervix.
• The second procedure tested was the phenolsulphonphthalein (PSP) test, which involved depositing a dye solution into the uterus and identifying it in the urine after its absorption into the peritoneum.

Findings of the Starch Grain Test

• The results showed that the starch grain test was a safe and reliable method for diagnosing uterine tube occlusion. Its process of injecting starch onto the ovary and then recovering it from the cervix could be performed separately on each uterine tube, providing precise results.
• Another finding was that when the starch was injected onto the ovary on the day of ovulation, this resulted in a delay of four to seven days before the starch could be recovered from the cervix. However, this delay didn’t affect the reliability of the test.

Evaluation of the Phenolsulphonphthalein (PSP) Test

• As for the phenolsulphonphthalein (PSP) test, the results were not as reliable. Contamination of the urine occurred per vaginum (through the vagina), which distorted the accuracy of the results.
• In addition, the PSP test was not able to specifically identify blockage in a single tube, as its results were not unilaterally specific, making it less effective in diagnosing the issue compared to the starch grain test.