Problem Breeding Mare Table Topic (AAEP 2012)

Attendees discussed anovulatory follicles, ovulation induction agents, oviductal dysfunction, and more.
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The problem breeding mare table topic at the 2012 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Anaheim, Calif., focused on challenges practitioners face when breeding subfertile mares. Attendees discussed one of their biggest nemeses, the anovulatory follicle (an ovulation abnormality that results in an egg remaining trapped in the follicular cavity and not entering the oviduct, where fertilization occurs), with regards to its potential association with inflammation (endometrial or systemic), prostaglandins (either administered or from inflammation), or endocrine disorders. Veterinarians must differentiate anovulatory follicles from large, mid-diestrus (between one estrus period and the next) follicles.

Attendees also discussed ovulation induction agents, with half of the practitioners there preferring to use deslorelin acetate and the other half preferring to use human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone, with variable doses of each. Several practitioners expressed a preference for deslorelin in artificial insemination situations using frozen semen, due to a perceived more predictable ovulation window. Because of cost, many practitioners in the audience said they still use compounded deslorelin despite there being an FDA-approved product on the market.

With regards to measuring mares’ progesterone levels, some practitioners questioned its value to the client, in relation to cost. Stall-side progesterone assays lack sensitivity at lower levels and are thus less useful.

Attendees also discussed oviductal dysfunction. Five practitioners in the room were familiar with applying prostaglandin E2 to the oviducts laparoscopically. This procedure, in theory, improves oocyte and embryo transit to the uterus but is currently cost-prohibitive in some areas due to the price of the prostaglandin E2

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Written by:

Kristina G. Lu, VMD, Dipl. ACT, practices with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Lexington, Ky.

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