Laparoscopic application of PGE2 to re-establish oviducal patency and fertility in infertile mares: a preliminary study.
Abstract: Mares are occasionally encountered that consistently fail to conceive when inseminated, naturally or artificially, with fertile stallion semen in the absence of any identifiable pathology of either the structure or function of their reproductive tract. Objective: Temporary blockage of the oviducts by accumulations of naturally occurring oviducal masses may be preventing oviducal transport of the embryo to the uterus. Methods: Mares, with known reproductive histories, that had exhibited inexplicable failure of conception were treated by laparoscopically guided administration of PGE2-laced triacetin gel directly onto the surface of their oviducts. Results: Fifteen mares age 10-21 years that had exhibited inexplicable failure of conception during 1-4 years were treated, of which 14 (93%) conceived within the same or subsequent breeding season. Conclusions: The high success rate of this treatment supports the tentative diagnosis of oviducal obstruction in these mares and indicates that blockage of the mare's oviducts may occur in the form of a moveable accumulation of debris rather than from permanent fibrous adhesions resulting from salpingitis. Conclusions: This laparoscopic application of PGE2 to the oviducts constitutes a sound and practical method of restoring fertility in mares suffering oviducal obstruction and further studies involving the procedure are warranted.
Publication Date: 2006-09-22 PubMed ID: 16986607DOI: 10.2746/042516406778400628Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- 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.
This research investigates a new treatment method for restoring fertility in mares which have difficulty conceiving due to temporary blockages in their oviducts. Based on preliminary results, the application of a PGE2-based gel via laparoscopy showed a high success rate, suggesting a viable solution for mares with this specific fertility problem.
Research Objective and Background
- The study focuses on solving the problem of unexplained infertility in mares, suspecting that the reason could be temporary blockages in the oviducts caused by natural accumulations or masses. These blockages may inhibit the transition of embryos to the uterus, thus preventing conception.
- Such infertility is concerning since there are no identifiable issues with the structure or function of the mares’ reproductive tract. The mares had also been previously inseminated with fertile stallion semen, either naturally or artificially.
Methodology
- The method of dealing with this suspected cause of infertility involved the laparoscopic delivery of a gel mixed with Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), directly onto the oviducts’ surface.
- The mares chosen for this preliminary study had known reproductive histories and had consistently failed to conceive, with no explicit reason identified.
Results and Conclusion
- The treatment showed encouraging results, with 14 out of 15 mares (aged 10-21 years) becoming pregnant within the very same or the following breeding season after undergoing the treatment.
- With a 93% success rate, this supports the hypothesis that blockage of the oviducts may happen due to collections of moveable debris and not due to permanent fibrous adhesions caused by inflammation of the fallopian tubes, or salpingitis.
Further Implications
- This approach of using PGE2 application via laparoscopy offers a practical method to restore fertility in mares suffering from oviductal obstruction.
- Given the significant success rate, the researchers argue that more extensive studies involving this procedure should be carried out. Successful further testing could make this treatment a regular practice for dealing with similar infertility cases in mares.
Cite This Article
APA
Allen WR, Wilsher S, Morris L, Crowhurst JS, Hillyer MH, Neal HN.
(2006).
Laparoscopic application of PGE2 to re-establish oviducal patency and fertility in infertile mares: a preliminary study.
Equine Vet J, 38(5), 454-459.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406778400628 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine Equine Fertility Unit, Mertoun Paddocks, Newmarket, Suffolk UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dinoprost / therapeutic use
- Fallopian Tubes / drug effects
- Fallopian Tubes / physiology
- Female
- Gels
- Horses / physiology
- Infertility, Female / drug therapy
- Laparoscopy / methods
- Laparoscopy / veterinary
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Rate
- Reproduction / drug effects
- Reproduction / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Straticò P, Guerri G, Palozzo A, Varasano V, Petrizzi L. Current Use of Equine Laparoscopy in Urogenital Disorders: A Scoping Review of the Literature from 2000 to 2021. Vet Sci 2022 Jan 22;9(2).
- Benammar A, Derisoud E, Vialard F, Palmer E, Ayoubi JM, Poulain M, Chavatte-Palmer P. The Mare: A Pertinent Model for Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies?. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 4;11(8).
- Ross KA, Kolb DS, Macedo A, Anderson M, Klein C. Seminal plasma does not aid in the transport of phenolsulfonphthalein across the uterotubal junction in mares. Can Vet J 2018 Sep;59(9):988-992.
- Moon C, Zhang W, Sundaram N, Yarlagadda S, Reddy VS, Arora K, Helmrath MA, Naren AP. Drug-induced secretory diarrhea: A role for CFTR. Pharmacol Res 2015 Dec;102:107-112.
- Hendrickson DA. A review of equine laparoscopy. ISRN Vet Sci 2012;2012:492650.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
