Reducing Breeding-Induced Endometritis by Simplifying Management?

Modern breeding management and assisted reproduction might actually exacerbate the issue of mating-induced endometritis, according to Mats Troedsson, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, a professor of equine theriogenology in the Department of Large Animal Clinical
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Modern breeding management and assisted reproduction might actually exacerbate the issue of mating-induced endometritis, according to Mats Troedsson, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, a professor of equine theriogenology in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

"We used to think that bacteria were the only cause of endometritis in the horse," Troedsson said. "We now know that semen can also be a cause." While spermatozoa induce inflammation in the uterus, seminal plasma modulates the inflammation. Troedsson said that semen that has been stripped of most of its natural plasma (as it is when frozen) is more likely to cause persistent inflammation in the uterus than fresh semen. While some inflammation is natural and necessary to clear the uterus of excess semen and bacteria, seminal plasma limits the duration of the inflammatory response. In addition, specific seminal plasma proteins appear to help live spermatozoa safely reach the oviduct even when an inflammation is present in the uterus.

Without plasma, spermatozoa can clump together with inflammatory cells, making it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg in the oviduct. Troedsson suggests that a minimum of 5-10% of plasma be retained to prevent clumping.

Additionally, the method used to administer oxytocin (which causes the uterus to contract and expel fluid) might play a large part in the mare’s ability to respond to the therapy

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Written by:

Erin Ryder is a former news editor of The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care.

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