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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Intrauterine fluid accumulation in oestrous mares.
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica1997; 38(1); 69-78; doi: 10.1186/BF03548509

Intrauterine fluid accumulation in oestrous mares.

Abstract: Intrauterine fluid (IUF) was collected using a tampon from mid-oestrous mares (n = 57) with and without ultrasonically detectable accumulations of free intraluminal fluid. Bacteria were cultured and neutrophils counted from all samples (n = 57). Total protein concentration, trypsin-inhibitor capacity (TIC), and plasmin, beta-glucuronidase (B-Gase) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) activities were determined in 27 IUF samples. The motility of spermatozoa in the presence of IUF, IUF extended with Kenney's medium (1:1) and Kenney's medium alone was analysed in 9 samples using a Hamilton-Thorn motility analyser. Thirty-five mares were inseminated immediately after collection of IUF, and every second day until ovulation. Embryos were recovered nonsurgically 6 days after ovulation. After embryo transfer, fluid accumulations were recorded during oestrus and an endometrial biopsy specimen taken (n = 53). In the beginning of oestrus, fluid accumulations were detected in 39% (22/57) of mares, while on the day when IUF was collected, fluid accumulations were observed in 26% (15/57) of mares. The fluid was anechogenic, and in 80% of the mares located in the uterine body. None of the mares exhibited cytological or bacteriological evidence of acute endometritis. Total protein concentrations, TIC and B-Gase activities in IUF were statistically significantly lower in mares with fluid accumulations (n = 14) than in mares without fluid accumulations (n = 13) (p < 0.01). The addition of undiluted IUF to extended semen significantly reduced total and progressive motilities, path velocities and percentages of rapid spermatozoa (p < 0.05) in vitro. On endometrial biopsy, fibrosis was found to be more prominent (p = 0.025) in mares with fluid accumulations (n = 9) than in mares without (n = 44). It was concluded that anechogenic fluid accumulations during oestrus were associated with compositional changes in IUF. Although IUF had negative effects on spermatozoal motility in vitro, the presence of fluid accumulations at the time of insemination did not affect embryo recovery rates.
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Publication Date: 1997-01-01 PubMed ID: 9129348PubMed Central: PMC8057042DOI: 10.1186/BF03548509Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 looks into the significance of intrauterine fluid (IUF) in mares during oestrus, specifically its components and its impact on sperm motility and embryo recovery. Despite the observed negative effect on sperm movement in a lab setup, the presence of IUF at the time of insemination didn’t impact the success rate of embryo recovery.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved 57 mid-oestrous mares. The IUF was collected using a tampon from these mares with or without ultrasonically detectable accumulation of free intraluminal fluid.
  • Total protein concentration, trypsin-inhibitor capacity (TIC), and activities of plasmin, beta-glucuronidase (B-Gase), and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) were determined in 27 IUF samples.
  • With methods like bacterial culture and neutrophil count, the researchers checked all samples for infections.
  • The research team also analysed sperm motility in the presence of IUF against Kenney’s medium (a specific tool used for semen analysis) in 9 samples.
  • Prior to insemination, 35 mares were examined for fluid accumulation, and embryos were then recovered non-surgically 6 days post ovulation.
  • Post the process of embryo transfer, fluid accumulations were recorded during oestrus, and an endometrial biopsy was performed.

Key Findings

  • At the beginning of oestrus, fluid accumulation was detected in 39% of the mares. On the day of IUF collection, fluid accumulation was observed in 26% of mares.
  • The uterine fluid should not echo sound waves (anechogenic) and was generally located in the uterine body in 80% of mares.
  • Interestingly, no mares showed cytological or bacteriological evidence of acute endometritis, a condition that is typically associated with IUF in the medical literature.
  • Total protein concentrations, TIC and B-Gase activities in IUF were significantly lower in mares with fluid accumulations.
  • Undiluted IUF had a negative influence on the motility of the sperm, resulting in a significant reduction in total and progressive motilities, path velocities, and percentages of rapid spermatozoa (in vitro).
  • Upon endometrial biopsy, fibrosis was more prominent in mares with fluid accumulations.

Conclusions

  • The study implicates that during oestrus periods, anechogenic fluid accumulations were linked to compositional changes in IUF.
  • While in vitro tests demonstrated negative effects on sperm motility, the presence of fluid accumulations at the time of insemination did not impact the rate of embryo recovery.

Cite This Article

APA
Reilas T, Katila T, Mäkelä O, Huhtinen M, Koskinen E. (1997). Intrauterine fluid accumulation in oestrous mares. Acta Vet Scand, 38(1), 69-78. https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03548509

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 0044-605X
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 1
Pages: 69-78

Researcher Affiliations

Reilas, T
  • University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Saari, Finland.
Katila, T
    Mäkelä, O
      Huhtinen, M
        Koskinen, E

          MeSH Terms

          • Acetylglucosaminidase / analysis
          • Animals
          • Bacteria / isolation & purification
          • Body Fluids / microbiology
          • Body Fluids / physiology
          • Estrus / physiology
          • Female
          • Fibrinolysin / analysis
          • Glucuronidase / analysis
          • Horses / physiology
          • Male
          • Proteins / analysis
          • Specimen Handling / methods
          • Specimen Handling / veterinary
          • Sperm Motility
          • Trypsin Inhibitors / analysis
          • Uterus / microbiology
          • Uterus / physiology

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 5 times.
          1. Yáñez Ramil U, Jezierska S, Krupa M, Bogado Pascottini O. Fundamentals of microbiome-based therapies for reproductive tract inflammatory diseases in domestic animals. Anim Reprod 2025;22(3):e20250030.
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          2. Donato GG, Necchi D, Vandaele H, Vita ME, Bertero A, Vincenti L, Nervo T. Influence of Intrauterine Fluid Detection, Number of Transfers and Age of the Recipient on Pregnancy Rate and Early Embryonic Loss in a Commercial Embryo Transfer Program. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 29;13(11).
            doi: 10.3390/ani13111799pubmed: 37889745google scholar: lookup
          3. Katila T, Ferreira-Dias G. Evolution of the Concepts of Endometrosis, Post Breeding Endometritis, and Susceptibility of Mares. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 19;12(6).
            doi: 10.3390/ani12060779pubmed: 35327176google scholar: lookup
          4. Wojtysiak K, Ryszka W, Stefaniak T, Król J, Kozdrowski R. Changes in the Secretion of Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines and Acute-Phase Proteins in the Uterus after Artificial Insemination in the Mare. Animals (Basel) 2020 Dec 19;10(12).
            doi: 10.3390/ani10122438pubmed: 33352707google scholar: lookup
          5. Chiba A, Ujiie Y, Aoki T. Relationship between the presence of intrauterine fluid and cervical bacteria in heavy draft mares before and after mating. J Equine Sci 2019;30(4):75-79.
            doi: 10.1294/jes.30.75pubmed: 31871408google scholar: lookup
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