Lecture 6 Flashcards
What is a subfertile mare?
Not pregnant after repeated matings
Cannot carry a pregnancy to term
Has known reproductive pathology
Behavioral issues that affect reproduction
What causes sub-fertility?
Breeding management (number 1 cause) Conformational defects Susceptibility to endometritis
What are the types of endometritis?
Infectious endometritis
Post mating induced endometritis
Sexually transmitted diseases (CEM)
The uterus is considered what?
Sterile
All mares get what after mating?
Endometritis- sperm is very antigenic
How can normal mares clear endometritis?
Muscular uterus contracts and evacuates uterine contents
Open cervix- so things can get out
Healthy inflammatory response
Clearance of fluids through lymphatic system
What are the three barriers to uterine infectious?
Tight/closed perineum
Vestibular vaginal sphincter
Cervix
What agents cause acute infectious endometritis?
S. Zooepidemicus (most common) E coli Pseudomonas (standing water and turtles) Klebsiella (wood shavings) Fungal organisms
What is a chronic infectious endometritis?
Multiple episodes of uterine infection
Failed treatment
May involved multiple organisms
How long does a healthy mare need to clear PMIE
8 hours
What is a typical mare with poor clearance of PMIE?
Middle aged or aged
Pluriparous
Pendulous uterus with poor contractility
Perineal defects (sunken in anal sphincter)
What is the atypical mare that may have trouble clearing PMIE?
Middle aged
Maiden
Cervical incompetence during estrus
What does mucus do during endometritis?
Mucus is produced by endometrial ciliated cells
In normal mares, it is protective, but it becomes excessive in endometritis
What is a biofilm?
When bacteria live in an extracellular matrix and are essentially protected from swabs, antibiotics, and the mare’s immune system
When would you use low volume uterine lavage?
Used in chronically sub-fertile mares that have too much mucous and/or keep getting negative culture/cytology
