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Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14079

Using mycobacterium cell wall fraction to decrease equine chorionic gonadotropin after abortion.

Abstract: Equine embryonic loss following the development of endometrial cups delays return to cyclicity due to the production of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Natural degradation of endometrial cups coincides with an influx of immune cells at 100-120 days of gestation, but therapeutic stimulation of reduced eCG production has been relatively unsuccessful. Recently, we observed an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine production following the use of the immunostimulant mycobacterium cell wall fraction (MCWF). Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of hysteroscopic-guided injection of MCWF on the accelerated decline of eCG secretion. Methods: In vivo experiment. Methods: Mares were pharmacologically aborted at 40-45 days of gestation, and then divided into groups: MCWF-treated (6 mg MCWF suspended in 20 mL LRS; n = 10) and Control (20 mL LRS; n = 6). Five days after abortion, hysteroscopic-guided injection of endometrial cups was performed, with 1 mL of volume placed into each visible endometrial cup. This was repeated 7 days later. Trans-rectal ultrasonography was performed to monitor ovarian activity, and serum was obtained to assess eCG and cytokine concentrations. Results: Concentrations of eCG decreased in the MCWF-treated group (p < 0.01) with a significant suppression noted as early as 14 days after onset of treatment and remained suppressed for the duration of the study. This coincided with an increase in peripheral IFN-γ (p < 0.01) and IL-1β (p < 0.01) concentrations. Eight out of ten MCWF-treated mares (80%) developed pre-ovulatory follicles, in comparison to 2/6 controls (33%). A pre-ovulatory follicle was noted 23 ± 4 days after onset of treatment. Conclusions: No pregnancy data was obtained following treatment. Conclusions: This is the first report of a treatment for the accelerated reduction of eCG following abortion. Stimulation of this process allowed mares to develop a pre-ovulatory follicle within a month of MCWF treatment onset, granting repeat attempts at breeding within the confines of a single breeding season.
© 2024 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-03-12 PubMed ID: 38472105DOI: 10.1111/evj.14079Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This article presents the results of a study on using mycobacterium cell wall fraction (MCWF) to speed up the decline of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) following abortion in mares. It was found that MCWF treatment led to a significant decrease in eCG and the development of pre-ovulatory follicles within a month of beginning treatment.

Objective and Methodology

  • The main aim of this research was to assess the impact of MCWF in expediting the decrease of eCG secretion in mares who had undergone an abortion.
  • To conduct this experiment, mares who were aborted pharmacologically between 40-45 days of gestation were divided into two groups: one that was treated with MCWF and a control group.
  • A hysteroscopic-guided injection was performed on the endometrial cups of these mares, five days after the abortion and repeated seven days later.
  • A 1 ml volume was placed into each visible endometrial cup. This was the methodology used for the main experiment.

Monitoring and Assessment

  • Trans-rectal ultrasonography was used to keep track of ovarian activity and serum assessment was done to check eCG and cytokine concentrations.
  • The researchers then analyzed the difference in eCG concentrations between the MCWF treated group versus the control group.

Results

  • Results showed that eCG levels significantly decreased in the MCWF-treated group.
  • This decline was noticed as early as 14 days after the onset of the treatment and remained throughout the entire study period.
  • Importantly, there was an increase in peripheral IFN-γ and IL-1β concentrations.
  • In the MCWF treated group, 80% of the mares developed pre-ovulatory follicles compared to 33% in the control group.
  • Development of a pre-ovulatory follicle was observed 23 ± 4 days after starting the treatment.

Conclusions

  • Though the study did not yield any pregnancy data post-treatment, it successfully reported for the first time a treatment to expedite the decline of eCG following an abortion in mares.
  • Notably, the MCWF treatment aided the mares in developing a pre-ovulatory follicle within a month of starting the treatment. This suggests the potential for repeat breeding attempts within a single breeding season.

Cite This Article

APA
Fedorka CE, Schnobrich MR, Muderspach ND, Scoggin KE, Dedman MT, Weigle KE, May MG, Twist H, Linse CR, Douglas RH, Troedsson MHT. (2024). Using mycobacterium cell wall fraction to decrease equine chorionic gonadotropin after abortion. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14079

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Fedorka, Carleigh E
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
  • Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Schnobrich, Maria R
  • Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Muderspach, Natacha D
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Scoggin, Kirsten E
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Dedman, Madison T
  • Lincoln Memorial College of Veterinary Medicine, Harrogate, Tennessee, USA.
Weigle, Kelly E
  • Lincoln Memorial College of Veterinary Medicine, Harrogate, Tennessee, USA.
May, Mary G
  • Lincoln Memorial College of Veterinary Medicine, Harrogate, Tennessee, USA.
Twist, Heidi
  • Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Linse, Cara R
  • Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Douglas, Robert H
  • BET Laboratories, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Troedsson, Mats H T
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

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