Induction of multiple ovulations during the ovulatory season in mares

The efficacy of an equine pituitary extract for induction of multiple ovulations during the ovulatory season was studied in 112 horse mares in four experiments. Combined for all experiments, 70% of the mares (78/112) had multiple ovulations for an average of 3.0 ovulations per mare. The interval between first and last ovulation was decreased (P<0.01) when human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was included in the treatment regimen (0.0+/-0.0 versus 1.6+/-0.4 days). Ovulation rate was lower (P<0.01) when extract treatment was initiated at day 19 (1.3+/-0.2) than when initiated at day 15 post-ovulation (2.9+/-0.5). Initiation of extract treatment at day 11 was as effective as initiation at day 15, with or without an injection of prostaglandin F(2alpha) on the first day of extract treatment. Increasing the dose of extract from 750 to 1500 or 2250 units per day did not significantly increase the ovulatory response.