Influence of endometrial cysts on conception rate of mares.

The research studied the connection between uterine cysts and the conception rates in normally fertile mares. The findings suggest that the presence of uterine cysts contributes to reduced fertility in Thoroughbred mares.

Study Design and Process

• The researchers conducted a gynecological study on 259 normally fertile mares through rectal palpation and ultrasonography. The aim was to record the presence of uterine cysts and pregnancy.
• Endometrial cysts were found in 22.4% of the mares studied, with the majority of cysts- 87.4%- located in the middle and posterior segments of the uterine horns.
• The endometrial cyst sizes ranged from 3 to 48 mm.

Cysts in Relation to Age

• The mares were further divided into three age groups: A (14 years).
• The researchers discovered a significant increase in the number of endometrial cysts with advancing age. Group A had 4.3%, Group B had 29.1%, and Group C had a striking 73.1%.

Impact of Cysts on Pregnancy Rates

• The pregnancy rates were also examined at Days 14 and 40 for mares with and without cysts.
• The researchers found noticeably lower pregnancy rates in mares with cysts at both intervals. At Day 14, 77.6% of mares with cysts were pregnant, compared to 91.5% of mares without cysts. By Day 40, 71.4% of mares with cysts had maintained their pregnancies, compared to 88% of mares without cysts.
• The substantial difference in pregnancy rates indicates that the presence of uterine cysts significantly affects the fertility of mares.