Post-breeding endometritis in the mare.
Abstract: Post-breeding endometritis is a major cause of subfertility in the mare. Endometritis is a normal event in the immediate period after mating, but the presence of ultransonographically visible uterine fluid more than 12 h later is thought to be evidence of uterine pathology. In mares that are free of venerally transmitted endometritis, treatment is aimed at removing the intraluminal fluid. If the endometritis persists past day 5, when the embryo enters the uterine lumen, the cytotoxic environment will not be compatible with pregnancy. Reproductive anatomy, defective myometrial contractility, lowered immune defences, overproduction of mucus, inadequate lymphatic drainage, or a combination of these factors will predispose the mare to post-breeding endometritis.
Publication Date: 2000-06-14 PubMed ID: 10844197DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4320(00)00110-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article discusses post-breeding endometritis, a significant cause of low fertility in mares. It elaborates on the causes, the occurrence and treatment of the condition while explaining its potential impacts on pregnancy.
Post-breeding Endometritis Overview
Endometritis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the uterus’ lining, happens naturally after mating. However, if ultrasound detects a fluid presence in the uterus 12 hours or more post-breeding, it could be an indication of an underlying pathology.
- Post-breeding endometritis is significant as it impacts a mare’s fertility. This inflammation of the uterus lining can lead to subfertility, making it harder for the mare to conceive.
- If the endometritis persists beyond day 5, when the embryo enters the uterus, it can create an unsuitable environment for pregnancy, potentially leading to a failure to conceive.
Causes and Predisposing Factors
The occurrence of post-breeding endometritis can be influenced by several factors related to the mare’s anatomy or immune system.
- Defective myometrial contractility, which refers to a dysfunction in the uterine muscles that control contraction, thus preventing the expulsion of inflammatory materials.
- The mare’s immune defences might be decreased, making them more susceptible to inflammation and infection.
- Overproduction of mucus may obstruct natural drainage, trapping inflammatory materials inside the uterus.
- Inadequate lymphatic drainage may also interfere with the clearance of inflammatory materials and fluid buildup inside the uterus.
Endometritis in Mares Free of Venereally Transmitted Disease
In mares that have not contracted endometritis through sexual transmission, treatment focuses primarily on removing the intraluminal fluid causing the inflammation.
- It is crucial to address the inflammation promptly, as lingering endometritis can create a hostile environment for an embryo, negating the possibility of pregnancy.
Cite This Article
APA
Watson ED.
(2000).
Post-breeding endometritis in the mare.
Anim Reprod Sci, 60-61, 221-232.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-4320(00)00110-x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, UK. elaine.watson@ed.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Endometritis / etiology
- Endometritis / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Infertility, Female / etiology
- Infertility, Female / veterinary
- Postpartum Period
- Pregnancy
- Sexual Behavior, Animal
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases / veterinary
- Uterine Contraction
Citations
This article has been cited 16 times.- Lange-Consiglio A, Gaspari G, Funghi F, Capra E, Cretich M, Frigerio R, Bosi G, Cremonesi F. Amniotic Mesenchymal-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Their Role in the Prevention of Persistent Post-Breeding Induced Endometritis. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Mar 8;24(6).
- Silva ESM, Newcombe JR, Cuervo-Arango J. The Effect of Treatment with Oestradiol Benzoate on Oestrus Expression and Endometrial Oedema in Anovulatory and Cyclic Mares. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 5;13(5).
- Freccero F, Mislei B, Bucci D, Dondi F, Mari G. Effects of Intra-Uterine Fluid Accumulation after Artificial Insemination on Luteal Function in Mares. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 23;13(1).
- Grabowska A, Kozdrowski R. Relationship between estrus endometrial edema and progesterone production in pregnant mares two weeks after ovulation. BMC Vet Res 2022 Nov 21;18(1):414.
- Boni R, Cecchini Gualandi S. Relationship between Oxidative Stress and Endometritis: Exploiting Knowledge Gained in Mares and Cows. Animals (Basel) 2022 Sep 13;12(18).
- D'Agostino A, Di Palma T, Cecchini Gualandi S, Boni R. Fluorescence Spectroscopy for the Diagnosis of Endometritis in the Mare. Animals (Basel) 2022 Apr 29;12(9).
- Niikura T, Tsogtgerel M, Niikura C, Wada H, Kanzawa S, Fujiwara T, Nambo Y. Effect of prostaglandin F2(α) administration on uterine polymorphonuclear neutrophil counts in Japanese heavy draft horses. J Equine Sci 2021 Dec;32(4):117-124.
- Monteiro de Barros MR, Davies-Morel MCG, Mur LAJ, Creevey CJ, Alison RH, Nash DM. Characterization of an Ex Vivo Equine Endometrial Tissue Culture Model Using Next-Generation RNA-Sequencing Technology. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 3;11(7).
- 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.
- Marth CD, Firestone SM, Glenton LY, Browning GF, Young ND, Krekeler N. Oestrous cycle-dependent equine uterine immune response to induced infectious endometritis. Vet Res 2016 Nov 8;47(1):110.
- Marth CD, Young ND, Glenton LY, Noden DM, Browning GF, Krekeler N. Deep sequencing of the uterine immune response to bacteria during the equine oestrous cycle. BMC Genomics 2015 Nov 14;16:934.
- Maischberger E, Irwin J, Carrington S, Duggan V. Equine post-breeding endometritis: A review. Ir Vet J 2008 Mar 1;61(3):163-8.
- Verstegen J, Dhaliwal G, Verstegen-Onclin K. Canine and feline pregnancy loss due to viral and non-infectious causes: a review. Theriogenology 2008 Aug;70(3):304-19.
- Alfatlawy HJ. Microbial profile of post-breeding endometritis in Arabian mares from the Al-Hira District, Iraq. Open Vet J 2025;15(8):3670-3676.
- Nash DM, Giles JL. Uterine inflammation and lessons from large animal models of endometritis. Nat Rev Immunol 2025 Dec;25(12):934-946.
- Novello G, Souza FF, Canisso IF. Platelet-Rich Plasma Proteome of Mares Susceptible to Persistent-Breeding-Induced Endometritis Differs from Resistant Mares. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jul 18;14(14).
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