Week 8- Infertility in the mare

Question 1

What is the conception rate in healthy young mares?

Answer 1

90% conception rate

Question 2

What is foal heat?

Answer 2

First oestrus cycle after giving birth, usually more silent

Question 3

What does poor perineal confirmation lead to?

Answer 3

pneumovaginum

Question 4

What is the ideal perineal confirmation?

Answer 4

• firmly toned vulval seal
• 80% of vulval ventral to the dorsal ischial limit
  no air influx on parting of vulva lips

Question 5

What should the marginal confirmation look like?

Answer 5

• sufficient deviation to compromise vestibulovaginal seal
• reduced conception rates

Question 6

What is caslicks procedure?

Answer 6

• simple
• can have massive effect on fertility
• restores the vulval seal
• must be released before foaling

Question 7

What is a persistent hymen?

Answer 7

Found in maiden mares presented for AI
Uncommon- complete persistence

Question 8

What is cervical incompetence?

Answer 8

-final seal
failure to dilate at oestrus
* failure to close in dioestrus

Question 9

What foreign bodies might you get in the uterus?

Answer 9

• foetal remnants
• persistent endometrial cups
• intrauterine devices

Question 10

When should you take an endometrial swab?

Answer 10

• easiest if taken during oestrus
• warranted if uterine infection suspected

Question 11

How might you treat endometritis?

Answer 11

• intra-uterine lavage
• intra-uterine antibiotics
• oxytocin
• repeated microbiology