Ovarian disorders: clinical and morphological observations in 30 mares.

The research article discusses a five-year study conducted at Ontario Veterinary College on equine ovarian disorders that required surgical intervention, spanning 30 cases. It covers a range of issues from granulosa cell tumors to ovarian hypoplasia, and presents the varied clinical signs, surgical techniques, and post-operative outcomes.

Research Objective

• The main objective of this research was to investigate and analyze various equine ovarian disorders that demanded surgical correction. The study was a longitudinal five-year study involving 30 mares handled at the Ontario Veterinary College.

Clinical Observations

• Of the thirty mares studied, the most common condition, observed in 14 mares, was granulosa cell tumors. Further, six mares were dealing with anovulatory persistent follicular “structures”.
• Five mares showed signs of ovarian hemotoma, two mares presented with ovarian hypoplasia, and the remaining three suffered from ovarian dysgerminoma, teratoma, and abscessation, with one case reported for each condition.
• The study found that the clinical signs exhibited by the animals were not uniform but varied based on the specific ovarian disorder affecting the mare.

Surgical Intervention

• The research provides not only clinical observations but also looks at the therapeutic side. Surgical procedures were carried out to remove the affected ovaries.
• The study utilized varied surgical methods based on the specific case scenario – flank or midline laparotomy or colpotomy, which denotes the operation’s location and how the surgeon gains access to the ovaries.

Morphological and Laboratory Study

• Upon removal, the affected ovaries were studied for their morphological traits – the size, color, and other physical characteristics, which could be (immediately) visually identified.
• Portions of the affected ovaries were submitted for laboratory examination for a more detailed analysis of the disease and verification of the initial diagnosis.

Post-surgical Outcomes

• The final part of the research dealt with the outcomes post-surgery. The recovery of the mares was monitored, as well their return to reproductive activity.
• The results were positive, indicating that surgical intervention is viable in addressing equine ovarian disorders, with satisfactory recovery and resumption of reproductive behavior.