Relationship between the presence of intrauterine fluid and cervical bacteria in heavy draft mares before and after mating.
Abstract: While intrauterine fluid (IUF) is observed as mucous in healthy mares during estrus, the presence of IUF during diestrus is an indicator of endometritis. Mating induces endometrial inflammation in healthy mares, called mating-induced endometritis, that disappears within 1-2 days after mating. On the other hand, it is also known that IUF remaining beyond 12 hr after mating can cause persistent inflammation, bacterial growth, and decreased fertility. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of IUF and cervical bacteria before and after mating. Mares were classified into three groups based on the degree of IUF: Grade 1 (G1), neither IUF nor echogenic lines at the inner lining of the uterus; Grade 2 (G2), small amount of IUF (<0.5 cm in diameter) or an echogenic lines in the intrauterine cavity; and Grade 3 (G3), obvious IUF (≥0.5 cm in diameter). The positive culture rates of G1, G2, and G3 mares before mating were 15.8% (n=6/38), 25.9% (n=7/27), and 31.8% (n=14/44), respectively, and did not differ significantly between the groups. After mating, the positive culture rates of G1, G2, and G3 mares were 18.2% (n=2/11), 56.1% (n=23/41), and 72.3% (n=34/47), respectively. The positive culture rates were significantly higher in G2 (P<0.05) and G3 (P<0.01) mares compared with G1 mares. These results from after mating suggest that not only mares with obvious IUF but also those with a small amount of IUF (<0.5 cm in diameter) or echogenic lines in the intrauterine cavity are at risk of mating-induced endometritis.
©2019 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
Publication Date: 2019-12-18 PubMed ID: 31871408PubMed Central: PMC6920059DOI: 10.1294/jes.30.75Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study explores the connection between the presence of intrauterine fluid (IUF) and the presence of bacteria in the cervix of heavy draft mares before and after mating. The research identifies that not just mares with substantial IUF, but also those with a minor quantity of IUF or echogenic lines in the uterine cavity, face a higher risk of mating-induced endometritis.
Research Objectives and Methodology
- The study aims to understand the relationship between the presence of IUF and cervical bacteria in mares before and after mating. The key concern here is the risk of endometritis, an inflammation of the endometrium (lining of the uterus), which can affect fertility.
- The mares included in the research were classified into three categories based on the amount of IUF present: Grade 1 (neither IUF nor echogenic lines), Grade 2 (small IUF or echogenic lines), and Grade 3 (obvious IUF).
- The distinct classification helped in understanding the implications of different IUF amounts on the occurrence of endometritis after mating.
Findings of the Study
- Before mating, the rates of positive bacterial culture did not significantly vary across the three IUF groups. However, a subsequent measure after mating displayed a substantial difference in bacterial culture rates.
- The positive culture rates post-mating for G1, G2, and G3 mares were noted as 18.2%, 56.1%, and 72.3%, respectively. This shows a considerable increase for G2 and G3 mares, which had IUF or echogenic lines in the intrauterine cavity.
- The results point out that the presence of even a small amount of IUF or echogenic lines in the intrauterine cavity increase the risk of mating-induced endometritis.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that mares with even minimal intrauterine fluid or particular visual clues (echogenic lines) in their uterus have an increased risk of developing endometritis post-mating.
- This research provides valuable insights for managing and preventing endometritis in mares, contributing to efforts aimed at maintaining their reproductive health, and subsequently, their fertility.
Cite This Article
APA
Chiba A, Ujiie Y, Aoki T.
(2019).
Relationship between the presence of intrauterine fluid and cervical bacteria in heavy draft mares before and after mating.
J Equine Sci, 30(4), 75-79.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.30.75 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Applied Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
- Department of Applied Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- Department of Applied Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
- Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- 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.
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