How to Manage Persistent Post-Mating-Induced Endometritis

Persistent uterine lining inflammation in horses can lead to lower pregnancy rates and increased early embryonic losses.
Share
Favorite
Close

No account yet? Register

ADVERTISEMENT

Every mare has an inflammatory response to clear bacteria and debris from her uterus after being bred. Normally that inflammation peaks approximately 6 to 12 hours after mating, and it resolves within 48 hours.

But about 15% of mares develop persistent mating-induced endometritis (PMIE), or inflammation of the uterine lining, defined as the failure of the normal physiologic inflammation that occurs post-mating to resolve within 36 to 48 hours. This is a big deal because PMIE results in lower pregnancy rates and increased early embryonic losses.

At the 2016 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 3-7 in Orlando, Florida, Etta Bradecamp, DVM, Dipl. ACT, ABVP, a reproductive specialist from the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, in Lexington, Kentucky, explained the causes and best line of treatment for these PMIE mares.

Bradecamp said PMIE has several possible causes or combinations of causes. Sometimes the mare can’t “turn off” the inflammatory response. Sometimes the uterus can’t move the inflammation out. Sometimes the dilation of the cervix is poor, as in the case of aged maiden mares, mares that have had repeated embryo flushes over several years, or mares that have experienced cervical trauma or fibrosis (scarring). Sometimes the uterus doesn’t contract well enough, so fluid accumulates. And sometimes it’s a combination of those factors

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.

Share

Written by:

Maureen Gallatin is a freelance writer, founder of Horses on a Mission, and author of the inspirational devotional, An Extra Flake.

Related Articles

Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with

FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com

Sponsored Content

Weekly Poll

sponsored by:

How much time do you usually spend grooming your horse?
428 votes · 428 answers

Readers’ Most Popular

Sign In

Don’t have an account? Register for a FREE account here.

Need to update your account?

You need to be logged in to fill out this form

Create a free account with TheHorse.com!