Equine Reproduction and Stud Medicine Q&A 06
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This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Equine Reproduction and Stud Medicine questions |
A 12-year-old multiparous barren mare failed to become pregnant the previous breeding season. Examination of the genital tract reveals a mature follicle present, an open cervix and a slightly distended uterus which, on palpation, expresses air out through the vulvar lips. Speculum examination revealed a reddened and relaxed cervix with air bubbles intermixed in a clear thin watery discharge.
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| What clinical conditions may exist? | Acute and chronic endometritis, pneumovagina, urine pooling and an incompetent cervix.
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| What physical changes might be detected on clinical examination which indicate a possible cause of the infertility? | (1) Poor conformation of the vulva and anus; (2) the presence of air bubbles in the vaginal and/or uterine mucous indicates the possibility of pneumovagina; (3) careful manual exploration may indicate injury to the cervix; (4) ballooning of the anterior vagina may indicate both pneumovagina or urine pooling; (5) palpation and speculum examination to determine the location of the urethral opening and of downward displacement of the cervix and anterior vagina anterior to the pelvic brim. |
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| Do you regard this mare’s vulva conformation to be a contributing factor to her infertility? | Yes.
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| What importance is attached to the level of the pelvic brim in relation to the vulva? | The high level of the pelvic brim in relation to the vulva maintains an almost vertical vulva. A low pelvic brim may cause the vulva to tend to a horizontal position.
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