Fertility in Mares

The non-pregnant Mare

Ultrasound Examination of the Reproductive Cycle

Transitional Phase ER ANESTRU Anestrus

21 DAYS
WINT S
Multiple large follicles on both ovaries, edema in uterus can Ovaries small and inactive, uterus very soft, flattened without
vary due to differences in follicular activity and estrogen con- edema. 4-7 Days
centration.
Schematic Presenta-

SPRI
tion of the Annual

AUTUM

NG
Stages of the Mare’s First
Reproductive Cycle. Ovulation

Ovulation is indicated by the

blue dots

Diestrus Estrus
CY
CL L ES
A corpus haemorrhagicum and later corpus luteum can be vi- IN G C YC Dominant follicles at midstage of estrus. Depending on the
M AR US
sualized. Functionality of the CL can be determined by Doppler E, RE G U L A R ESTR stage of estrus and the individual pattern of the mare, various
ultrasound. The uterus is small, firm, round and homogenous. grades of edema can be visualized in the uterus.

21 DAYS
ER ANESTRU
WINT S

4-7 Days
N

SPRI
AUTUM

NG

First
Ovulation

Varying stages of Flatted, Moderate Obvious Extreme

edema of the uterus no edema edema edema edema

CY ES
CL CL
IN G CY
M AR US
E, RE G U L A R ESTR

The pregnant Mare

Ultrasound Examination Time Line
START

Day 11 Day 14-16 Day 25-35 Day 40-120

Yolk sac is first visible by First US examination: Second ultrasound exa- Endometrium cups act
ultrasound. Functional ensure presence of one mination: confirm di- autonomically and pro-
CL(s) on one or both or two embryonic vesi- agnosis of pregnancy. duce eCG. eCG has
ovaries are visible by cles. Examine the ova- Conceptus can be dis- predominately an LH
ultrasonography. Scan- ries for multiple luteal tinguished from a endo- function and supports
ning for cysts before structures. Multiple metrial cyst by presence the maintenance of the
pregnancy is important, conceptuses can still be of an embryo proper. primary CL and the de-
to avoid confusion. separated and crushed. Heart beat becomes vi- velopment of secondary
After crushing: examine sible from day 23. CL.
Until day 16 the mare again 2-3 days
later. Day 35 Day 55-80
Mobility phase: embryo
migrates through the Formation of endome- Fetal sex can be deter-
entire uterus.
Day 16-17 trium cups: fetal cells mined by rectal ultraso-
Fixation phase: embryo migrate to endometri- nography.
fixates itself at one of um and produce Equi-
the boundaries corpus ne Chorionic Gonadot-
uteri – uterus horn. rophin.

Common Abnormalities on Ultrasound

Endometrial Cysts Granulosa Cell
Endometritis and Tumor
Looks like a pregnancy.
Endometrial Cysts Can obstruct the uterine Due to inhibin production
lumen leading to failure of the affected ovary, the
Differences in the amount of maternal recognition contralateral ovary will be
of uterine fluid, echogeni- of pregnancy, or they can very small. GCT can produ-
city and edema. lead to early embryonic ce estrogens or testostero-
death. ne leading to behavioural
changes.

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Ultrasound pictures with special thanks to: W.K. Hendriks, DVM Dipl. ECAR. Scientific Sources: 1) England, Gary C.W. Fertility and Obstetrics in the Horse, third edition, England, Blackwell publishing (2005);
2) Hendriks, W. K. & Stout, T.; Esaote MyLibrary Equine Reproduction – Mare, Version 1.0, Esaote Europe BV, (2009). 3) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Syllabus Voortplanting en Obstetrie (2011) - Esaote Veterinary 160000155