Uterus unicornis in two mares.

The study investigates a case of a rare uterine condition, uterus unicornis, in two American Paint Horses, causing infertility issues.

About the Study

• The study revolves around a rare case observed in two American Paint Horses, where one was a 3-year-old nulliparous mare (one that hasn’t given birth) and the other a 7-year-old primiparous mare (one who had given birth in the past).

The Problem

• Both the horses were brought up for examination because of recent infertility in one and for a pre-breeding examination in the other.
• After an examination of the internal reproductive tract using transrectal palpation (a diagnostic technique where the examiner inserts a finger into the rectum to feel for any abnormalities) and ultrasonography, the cervix, uterine body, left uterine horn, and bilateral ovaries were detected.
• The right uterine horn was not detected either through palpation or imaging, indicating an unusual scenario.

Uterus Unicornis

• This anomaly led to the clinical diagnosis of a condition called uterus unicornis.
• Uterus unicornis is a rare uterine malformation where one of the two uterine horns is absent or rudimentary, making the uterus appear like the mythical creature’s single horn — hence the name.

Necropsy Result

• One of the mares was necropsied, i.e., a post-mortem examination was performed to ascertain the diagnosis.
• The necropsy confirmed the presence of uterus unicornis and revealed the combined aplasia, i.e., the lack of development or nonformation, of the right uterine horn and oviduct.
• This finding confirmed the clinical diagnosis and gave concrete evidence of this rare reproductive anomaly in the mare.