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Summary
Seasonal changes affect mare reproduction, with daylight influencing ovulation. Advances in diagnostics and treatments improve outcomes for equine pregnancy, parturition, and reproductive health in both mares and stallions.
Area of Science:
- Equine reproduction
- Veterinary science
- Animal physiology
Background:
- Mare ovulation is influenced by photoperiod, with reduced activity in winter.
- Pregnancy involves complex hormonal changes and specific physiological events.
- Reproductive health issues in mares include embryonic death, abortion, and endometritis, while stallions exhibit seasonal reproductive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on equine reproductive physiology and pathology.
- To highlight advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic methods for equine reproduction.
- To address seasonal influences on reproduction in both mares and stallions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on equine reproductive cycles and health.
- Discussion of diagnostic techniques such as rectal examination and hormonal assays.
- Overview of treatments for pregnancy termination, parturition induction, and endometritis.
Main Results:
- Ovulation is triggered by increasing daylight, and corpora lutea regress mid-pregnancy.
- Pregnancy diagnosis is efficient via rectal examination and hormonal assays (pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin).
- Foal heat service increases embryonic death; twinning is a common cause of abortion. Bacterial endometritis and specific infections (horse pox, Mycoplasma) are identified. Stallion reproductive function is seasonal, with accurate methods for undescended testis determination.
Conclusions:
- Effective methods exist for managing equine pregnancy, including early termination and parturition induction.
- Improved diagnostics and treatments enhance the management of mares with reproductive issues like endometritis.
- Understanding seasonal reproductive patterns in both sexes is crucial for successful equine breeding programs.