The effect of postpartum uterine lavage on foal heat pregnancy rate.

This research evaluates the impact of postpartum uterine lavage on the pregnancy rates of mares during their first postpartum estrus cycle. The study does not find a significant statistical difference in pregnancy rates between mares treated with a saline solution uterine lavage and those left untreated.

Research Methodology

• The study observed 37 mares, carrying out a uterine lavage treatment with a sterile, warm saline (NaCl 0.9%) solution on days 2 and 4 postpartum.
• On day 7, the researchers conducted endometrial cytology (examination of cells and how they are organized) and culture (microorganism growth analysis).
• The mares were bred on their first postpartum estrus cycle through artificial insemination.
• The researchers used ultrasound examinations on the 16th day post ovulation to determine pregnancy rates.
• They compared the degree of uterine inflammation and presence of bacteria on the 7th day postpartum between control mares (n=19) and treated mares (n=18).

Research Results

• The study concluded that there was no statistical difference in the uterine inflammation or presence of bacteria in the uterus between the treated and control mare groups on the 7th day postpartum.
• According to the study, the pregnancy rates at the first postpartum estrus cycle for treated mares (55.5%) did not significantly differ from the control mares (68.4%).
• The research therefore finds no advantage in using intrauterine lavage with a warm, sterile saline solution at days 2 and 4 postpartum to improve the pregnancy success rate during the foal heat.

Conclusion

• This research dispels a common veterinary practice of using uterine lavage postpartum in an attempt to enhance fertility. The findings suggest that this procedure does not yield a significant difference in pregnancy rates during the first postpartum estrus cycle. Therefore, the intrauterine lavage process with saline solution at the specified intervals is not justified based on its objective to improve foal heat pregnancy rate.