Mare Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE)

Question 1

T/F: Bacterial growth from a uterine swab without significant cytological inflammation is a clear indication of contamination

Answer 1

True

Question 2

What is the most common bacterial cause of uterine infection in mares?

Answer 2

Streptococcus zooepidemicus

ß hemolytic Strep

Question 3

Uterine biopsy performed in a mare yielded a Grade IIB. What is the expected foaling rate for this mare?

Answer 3

10-50%

Grade II endometria exhibit changes that diminish the mare’s ability to conceive and carry a fetus to term.​ Moderate to severe inflammation and severe fibrosis may be present.

Question 4

The best way to test the patency of the cervix is:

• Digital examination during diestrus
• Vaginoscopy (speculum)
• Rectal examination
• Ultrasound examination
• Digital examination during estrus

Answer 4

Digital examination during diestrus​

Question 5

Uterine biopsy performed in a mare yielded a Grade III. What is the expected foaling rate for this mare?

Answer 5

<10%

Grade III endometria exhibit widespread or severe irreversible changes that negatively affect both conception and the mare’s ability to maintain a pregnancy to term

Question 6

After the first ovulation of the season and during subsequent periods of diestrus, serum __________ concentrations are increased and the cervix is closed, with a long cylindrical shape

Answer 6

After the first ovulation of the season and during subsequent periods of diestrus, serum progesterone concentrations are increased and the cervix is closed, with a long cylindrical shape

During estrus, serum progesterone concentrations are low, and estrogen concentrations are high; the cervix is relaxed and edematous

Question 7

Uterine biopsy performed in a mare yielded a Grade I. What is the expected foaling rate for this mare?

Answer 7

80-90%

Grade I includes mares that have minimal or no changes in endometrial architecture

Question 8

In the mare, the most sensitive organ to hormonal influence is the:

Answer 8

cervix

• In the mare is formed by abundant collagenous tissue, smooth muscle fibers and a few tubular glands
• Cervix relaxes in estrus/closes in diestrus
• In maiden mares that reach a certain age (8-10) without delivering a foal, the cervix will start to lose its functional integrity
• It is possible that in these mares the muscle layer undergoes a marked atrophy and the cervix becomes a collagenous tube that does not dilate

Question 9

Uterine biopsy performed in a mare yielded a Grade IIA. What is the expected foaling rate for this mare?

Answer 9

50-80%

Grade II endometria exhibit changes that diminish the mare’s ability to conceive and carry a fetus to term. Mares with predominantly inflammatory changes (IIA), and cases for which treatment may be beneficial, fare better than those with predominantly fibrotic changes.

Question 10

T/F: The pattern of uterine edema during estrus is a good breeding management tool

Answer 10

True

Question 11

What is the 2^nd most common bacterial cause of uterine infection in mares?

Answer 11

E. coli

Question 12

In the mare, the cervix relaxes under the influence of __________, and tightens under the influence of __________

Answer 12

In the mare, the cervix relaxes under the influence of estrogen, and tightens under the influence of progesterone

Question 13

What bacteria are part of the normal flora of the uterus?

Answer 13

NONE

There should be no bacteria growing in the normal uterus! So any bacteria growing in the uterus is considered significant

Question 14

T/F: In contrast to the poorly identifiable cervix of the anestrus mare, the mare in mid to late transition will have a slight increase in uterine tone

Answer 14

True

In contrast to the poorly identifiable cervix of the anestrus mare, the mare in mid to late transition will have a slight increase in uterine tone and is easier to palpate per rectum.

Question 15

The endometrial biopsy is most valuable in providing information regarding the:

• Ability of a mare to conceive
• Ability of a mare to get pregnant
• Ability of a mare to carry a foal to term
• Presence or absence of uterine inflammation

Answer 15

Ability of a mare to carry a foal to term

Question 16

In a mare, it is ideal to have an upright vulva, with ____ of the vulvar opening below the pelvic brim and normal apposition of the vulvar lips

Answer 16

In a mare, it is ideal to have an upright vulva, with 2/3 of the vulvar opening below the pelvic brim and normal apposition of the vulvar lips

Question 17

Why do we perform a “windsucker” test in mares?

Answer 17

To test for pneumovagina

Pneumovagina is usually a result of poor vulvar conformation in mares​. It can be a significant contributor to ascending infection which can prevent establishment and survival of pregnancies.

Question 18

T/F: Uterine culture and cytology is ideally performed during diestrus in the mare

Answer 18

False

Uterine culture and cytology is ideally performed during estrus in the mare

Question 19

Mares that have a negative uterine culture and negative uterine cytology have ~____% pregnancy rate in the first cycle

Answer 19

60%