[Examination of the ovarian activity of mares using progesterone profiles]

By means of clinical and analytical procedures (enzyme immuno assay for progesterone with microtiterplate method) the ovarian activity from 27 mares was tested over a period of several weeks. The measurement of the progesterone level to determine the time of ovulation was proved as suitable in the period of 1-2 days after ovulation. In normocyclic mares (n = 17) a different development of the progesterone profile was detected, so that an insufficient development of the corpus luteum (35%) could be considered. By means of continuous measurement of progesterone (> or = 30 days) six of ten mares with aberrations in estrous cycle were considered carrying a persistent corpus luteum. Four of them showed a complete inactivity of the ovaries. The clinical importance of the determination of progesterone levels as a mean of routine diagnostic in mares with gynaecological problems is discussed.