Diagnostic methods and cycle manipulation in the mare

Question 1

List 7 things we are examining when looking at perineum as part of mare breeding exam

Answer 1

long axis of vulval should be vertical
vulvar labia well apposed
no vulval discharge
no vulval lesions
perineum in tact
anus not recessed
normal vestibulo-vaginal seal

Question 2

describe what the HBLB codes of practice tells you

Answer 2

provides specific guidance for the venereal pathogens in horses- where to sample, number of swabs and how many repeats

Question 3

which 3 equine veneral pathogens are tested for

Answer 3

Taylorella equigenitalia- contagious equine metritis
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Question 4

what do you do if contagious equine metritis is isolated from mare

Answer 4

isolate and treat infected mares
notify owners

Question 5

what do you do if contagious equine metritis is isolated from stallion

Answer 5

prior to covering: isolate and treat
after covering: cease covering, check all mares implicated in outbreak, don’t cover until 3 -ve swabs each at least 2 days apart

Question 6

List 2 reasons that uterine swabs may be undertaken in mares

Answer 6

for bacterial venereal pathogen screening
in cases of endometritis

Question 7

when inmares cycle are uterine swabs generally taken

Answer 7

during oestrus
can take during luteal phase- this could mean the results more believable as more likely isolating bacteria that have colonised the uterus

Question 8

List 4 things we look for on rectal exam in pre-breeding check

Answer 8

Confirmation of normality
Confirmation of cyclicity and stage of cycle
Confirmation of non-pregnancy
Evidence of gross pathology

Question 9

Describe what corpus haemorrhagicum looks like on ultrasound

Answer 9

early Luteal structure in mare - very big generally can palpate them (in mare generally can’t feel CL)
CHs are generally bright white (but may be cavitated)

Question 10

List 5 additional tests you can undertake in a mare breeding soundness exam

Answer 10

Endometrial Cytology
Endometrial Microbiology
Endometrial Biopsy
Uterine Endoscopy
Karytopye

Question 11

when performing endometrial cytology what are we assessing

Answer 11

number of neutrophils
More than 5 neutrophils per MPF is classified as abnormal
May also identify pathogens in some cases

Question 12

If you identify a organism of endometrial bacteriology what should you do

Answer 12

uterine infusion NOT systemic treatment

Question 13

what is the most common pathogen to be identified on endometrial bacteriology

Answer 13

Streptococcus zooepidemicus

Question 14

what does a endometrial biopsy do

Answer 14

looks at the integrity of the endometrium

Question 15

List 7 indications for endometrial biopsy

Answer 15

barren mare
repeat breeder mare
mares with embryonic death or abortion
anoestrus mare
mares requiring sugery of genital tract
pyometra or mucometra
fertility evaluation - pre purchase

Question 16

when performing uterine endoscopy what should you check first

Answer 16

MAKE sure NOT pregnant

Question 17

List 4 clinical suspicions of a karyotype problem

Answer 17

Clitoral enlargement
Infantile vulva and vagina
Small uterus
Small inactive ovaries

Question 18

List 2 situations when karyotype most likely used

Answer 18

clinical suspicion of problem
In mare that should have reached puberty and is not within the winter anoestrus period

Question 19

when is optimum mating period in mares

Answer 19

Optimum mating in normal mares is 24 to 48 hours before ovulation- because once egg ovulated only viable for 12 hours after

Question 20

why is a sunken anus problematic

Answer 20

it can mean that faecal contamination of the vulva is more likely, it can also lead to gas being aspirated into the vagina (pneumonvagina)

Question 21

on rectal exam, what can you feel when the horse is in oestrus

Answer 21

broad soft cervix
large soft uterus

Question 22

on rectal exam what will you feel when the horse is in the luteal phase

Answer 22

hard narrow cervix
tonic/ small uterus

Question 22

on ultrasound, what does the uterus look like during oestrus

Answer 22

oedematous - fluid in the endometrial folds

Question 23

what should you always do after swabbing uterus

Answer 23

give PG

Question 24

Describe transitional period in mares

Answer 24

period in which follicles don’t ovulate but they grow and regress

Question 25

once the mare is in the transitional phase, is there anything we can do to bring her into cyclicity

Answer 25

we can give progesterone (altrenogest- regumate) to suppress the axis and then remove progesterone to stimulate ovulation

Question 26

how can we hasten ovulation in mares that are in oestrus

Answer 26

short acting GnRH or hCG

Question 27

how can we induce a return to oestrus in breeding cycle

Answer 27

prostaglandin (ater day 5 )