Common Equine Abortion Causes Reviewed

While we can’t prevent all abortions, knowing the risks can help us prepare for and, in some cases, reduce the hazards.
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Abortions are tough emotional and financial losses. While breeders can’t prevent all abortions, knowing the risks can help them prepare for this unfortunate event and, in some cases, reduce those risks. French researchers have looked into the various causes of equine abortion to give us a better overview of the challenges facing our pregnant mares.

Overall, noninfectious problems, like umbilical cord issues and twin pregnancies, are the greatest risk, said Claire Laugier, DVM, PhD, of the ANSES Dozulé Laboratory for Equine Diseases, in France, during a presentation at the 2015 French Equine Research Day, held March 12 in Paris. A review of various studies worldwide indicates that, depending on the region, noninfectious problems represent up to 70% of abortions between Days 40 and 300 of gestation.

The most common cause of noninfection-related abortions is excessive umbilical cord torsion, Laugier said. “Obstructions of the blood vessels in the umbilical cord were actually the primary cause of abortion, all categories combined, representing 39.3% of all fetal and neonatal losses—42.6% of losses for which the cause had been determined, in a recent British study,” she said.

The second most common noninfectious cause is twin pregnancies, Laugier said. But the prevalence of this cause is dropping, thanks to early detection through ultrasound. If a veterinarian detects a twin pregnancy early enough, he or she can “pinch” and remove one of the embryos to give the other embryo a chance of survival. When both embryos are allowed to develop, one will take up about 70% of one of the two horns and the uterine body, and the other will try to develop in the remaining 30%, she said. But, most of the time, placental resources are insufficient to sustain both fetuses, and they are aborted, on average, at 235 days of gestation, she said

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Passionate about horses and science from the time she was riding her first Shetland Pony in Texas, Christa Lesté-Lasserre writes about scientific research that contributes to a better understanding of all equids. After undergrad studies in science, journalism, and literature, she received a master’s degree in creative writing. Now based in France, she aims to present the most fascinating aspect of equine science: the story it creates. Follow Lesté-Lasserre on Twitter @christalestelas.

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