Laparoscopic application of PGE2 to re-establish oviducal patency and fertility in infertile mares: a preliminary study.
BACKGROUND
Mares are occasionally encountered that consistently fail to conceive when inseminated, naturally or artificially, with fertile stallion semen in the absence of any identifiable pathology of either the structure or function of their reproductive tract.


OBJECTIVE
Temporary blockage of the oviducts by accumulations of naturally occurring oviducal masses may be preventing oviducal transport of the embryo to the uterus.


METHODS
Mares, with known reproductive histories, that had exhibited inexplicable failure of conception were treated by laparoscopically guided administration of PGE2-laced triacetin gel directly onto the surface of their oviducts.


RESULTS
Fifteen mares age 10-21 years that had exhibited inexplicable failure of conception during 1-4 years were treated, of which 14 (93%) conceived within the same or subsequent breeding season.


CONCLUSIONS
The high success rate of this treatment supports the tentative diagnosis of oviducal obstruction in these mares and indicates that blockage of the mare's oviducts may occur in the form of a moveable accumulation of debris rather than from permanent fibrous adhesions resulting from salpingitis.


CONCLUSIONS
This laparoscopic application of PGE2 to the oviducts constitutes a sound and practical method of restoring fertility in mares suffering oviducal obstruction and further studies involving the procedure are warranted.
Allen
W R
WR
University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine Equine Fertility Unit, Mertoun Paddocks, Newmarket, Suffolk UK.
Wilsher
S
S
Morris
L
L
Crowhurst
J S
JS
Hillyer
M H
MH
Neal
H N
HN
D000818:Animals; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D005782:Gels; D015237:Dinoprost