Successful pregnancy after partial hysterectomy in two mares

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Equine Reproduction
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Infertility in mares can be linked to uterine pathologies.
• Two Thoroughbred mares experienced prolonged infertility despite previous successful pregnancies.
• Uterine masses were identified as a potential cause for their barren periods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of uterine masses on equine infertility.
• To report the surgical management and outcomes for mares with uterine leiomyoma and ovarian abscess.
• To assess the reproductive success following the removal of these uterine masses.

Main Methods:

• Surgical excision of uterine masses via right ventral paramedian incision.
• Histopathological examination to diagnose the nature of the masses (leiomyoma and ovarian abscess).
• Partial uterine horn resection was performed when necessary due to tumor attachment or adhesions.

Main Results:

• Histology confirmed one mass as a leiomyoma and the other as an ovarian abscess.
• Surgical removal of the masses was completed in both mares.
• One mare required removal of 30% of a uterine horn; the other required 50% removal due to adhesions.
• Post-surgery, both mares achieved successful pregnancies, each producing two healthy foals within three years and becoming pregnant with a third.

Conclusions:

• Surgical intervention for uterine leiomyomas and ovarian abscesses can effectively resolve infertility in Thoroughbred mares.
• Restoration of reproductive function and successful pregnancies were achieved after mass removal.
• This study highlights the importance of addressing uterine masses for improving equine fertility outcomes.