Impact of Yeast Endometritis on Fertility in the Mare.

This research aims to evaluate the influence of yeast endometritis on the fertility rate in mares. The study found that approximately 50% of mares with yeast endometritis were able to conceive after treatment, which is better than the generally assumed prognosis.

Objective of the Research

• The primary objective of this research was to study and evaluate the effects of fungal (yeast or mold) endometritis on the fertility of the mare. The researchers sought to document the expected pregnancy rate for mares diagnosed with fungal infection, which hasn’t been done previously.

Methodology

• The study retrospectively examined insemination records from 3,223 mares at two stud farms, which involved mares that were diagnosed with fungal endometritis.
• These infected mares were all treated with uterine lavage using physiological saline, intrauterine deposition of Clotrimazole vagitorial tablets, and oxytocin for three consecutive days.
• The researchers conducted microbiological culture and cytological assessment on endometrial biopsies from mares with signs of endometritis.
• Finally, they compared the per-season pregnancy results between the mares affected by yeast endometritis and those not affected.

Findings and Conclusion

• Researchers found that 686 of the 3,223 mares were considered to have endometritis. Among these, the majority (55%) showed no growth, 7.2% produced yeast, 0.3% produced mold, and 37.4% had bacterial growth based on endometrial biopsies.
• In mares diagnosed with yeast endometritis, 78% showed positive cytology compared to 65.6% of samples showing growth of mold or bacteria. This suggests that yeast is a considerable cause of endometritis.
• The per-season pregnancy rate was 48% in mares diagnosed with yeast endometritis, which is significantly lower than the average rate of 76.4% in the two stud farms. However, this is a more promising result than previously assumed, showing that the breeding prognosis for a mare with yeast endometritis isn’t as poor as once thought.
• In conclusion, the study showed that the breeding prognosis of a mare with yeast endometritis needs to be reconsidered. A prediction of poor fertility may not always be applicable, as management of the condition could lead to a 50% conception rate, a figure that contradicts the previously assumed prognosis.