title: Hysteroscopic hydrotubation of the equine oviduct.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diagnostic techniques for oviductal obstruction in the mare are limited and development of a more reliable and direct method to assess oviductal patency is needed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility of hysteroscopic selective hydrotubation of the equine oviduct via videoendoscopy in standing mares.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a catheter inserted under endoscopic guidance into the uterotubal junctions of 10 mares, 5 ml of indigo carmine solution (4 mg/ml) was flushed into the oviduct. After introduction of the dye, peritoneal fluid was obtained via abdominocentesis. A colpotomy was also performed to allow introduction of a videoendoscope into the abdominal cavity to assess the presence of dye visually at the ovarian end of the oviduct.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In 15 of 20 (75.0%) attempts, the catheter was successfully inserted into the uterotubal junction, and dye was observed at the ampulla, fimbria, overlying the ovary or surrounding tissue. In 2 mares, the videoendoscope could not be manipulated to identify the uterotubal junction. Only one of 2 oviducts was flushed in an additional mare because insufflation of the uterus could not be maintained. The colour of the dye was evident macroscopically and spectrophotometrically in 4 of 8 mares from which peritoneal fluid was successfully collected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The equine oviduct can be evaluated by hysteroscopic selective hydrotubation.
authors.affiliation: Inoue Equine Clinic, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D005186:Fallopian Tube Patency Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006736:Horses; D007203:Indigo Carmine; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D007203:Indigo Carmine
keywords: endoscopy; horse; hydrotubation; oviduct