Treatment of Persistent Mating‐Induced Endometritis in Mares with the Non‐Steroid Anti‐Inflammatory Drug Vedaprofen

Recently, successful treatment of mares with a history of persistent mating‐induced endometritis (PMIE) with dexamethasone has been reported. As systemic treatment of horses with glucocorticoids should be handled with caution, we tested the hypothesis that treatment with the non‐steroid anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) vedaprofen, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase‐2, may have comparative, positive effects on fertility. Barren mares with a history of repeated PMIE were treated with vedaprofen (n = 8; initially 2 mg/kg bodyweight followed by 1 mg/kg orally twice daily) from 1 day before the first insemination to 1 day after ovulation or left untreated (n = 9). All mares received oxytocin (20 I.E. s.c.) thrice daily. Uterine swabs were collected for bacteriology and cytology. The day after ovulation, fluid accumulation was detected in three control mares and four treated mares (n.s.). The percentage of neutrophils in uterine cytology was significantly increased in comparison to the day before ovulation irrespective of treatment. Pregnancy was confirmed in two of nine mares in the control group and seven of eight mares in the treatment group (p < 0.05). NSAIDs may positively affect fertility in mares with a history of PMIE.     

Influence of Seroreactivity to Leptospira and Reproductive Failures in Recipient Mares of Equine Embryo Transfer Programmes

The aim of this study was to demonstrate that seroreactivity against Leptospira is significantly associated to the reproductive efficiency of recipient mares of an embryo transfer (ET) programme. A serosurvey was conducted from August 2007 to March 2009 in five herds from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with high rates of reproductive failure, as early embryonic death (>12%), abortion (>12%) and perinatal death. Detailed information about the losses was obtained from practitioner. A total of 338 recipient mares were tested by microscopic agglutination test, and 226 (66.9%) were seroreactive, mainly against serovars Bratislava and Copenhageni. Seroreactivity could be associated to reproductive failure (p < 0.001), and it was demonstrated that a seroreactive mare is 1.8 times more likely (relative risk – RR) to present reproductive failure than a seronegative one, particularly in relation to early embryonic death (p < 0.0001; RR 8.4) but also to abortions (p < 0.0001; RR 3.5), and to perinatal death (p < 0.05; RR 7.3). Therefore, seroreactivity to Leptospira is associated to reproductive failure in all phases of pregnancy in recipient mares, impairing equine ET programmes.     

Occurrence of Equine Coital Exanthema in Mares from an Embryo Transfer Center

Equine coital exanthema (ECE) is an acute, venereal disease caused by equid herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3), characterized by the formation of papules, vesicles, pustules, and ulcers on the vaginal and vestibular mucosa as well as on the skin of the penis, prepuce, and perineal region of mares and stallions. The present work describes an outbreak of ECE characterized by typical lesions around the anus and on the perineal skin, discomfort, and anorectal lymphadenopathy, which occurred in a large number of donor and recipient mares at an embryo transfer center in Argentina. We found that the horses' movement pattern, the environmental conditions, and the management procedures could have favored the introduction and/or reactivation from latency and spread of EHV-3. Although this is the first report of an outbreak of ECE in an embryo transfer facility, it reinforces the need to introduce additional hygienic and preventive measures to avoid EHV-3 spread and future ECE outbreaks.     

Reproductive Parameters of Mangalarga Marchador Mares in a Commercial Embryo Transfer Programme

The objective of this study is to evaluate the reproductive efficiency in donors and recipient Mangalarga Marchador mares in commercial programmes of embryo transfer (ET) and the effects of some reproductive characteristics and ET methodology on conception rates in the recipient mares. A total of 1140 flushing procedures were performed and 830 embryos (72.8%) were recovered. There were no differences between the rates of embryonic recovery in the different breeding seasons (p > 0.05) and 92.8% of the recovered embryos were 8–9 days old. There was no difference in the embryonic recovery regarding the collection order from the first to the ninth embryo collection along the breeding season, as well as among mares inseminated during the foal heat or subsequent cycles (p > 0.05). Pregnancy rates observed in the total period of all reproductive seasons at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of pregnancy were 73.4, 69.9, 66.7 and 64.5%, respectively. Differences in pregnancy rate and early embryonic loss rates were not observed between embryos transferred immediately after collection (66.8% and 13.5%) and embryos transported at room temperature for periods of <1 h (62.9% and 14.4%; p > 0.05). Pregnancy rates were higher when the interval between ovulations of donor and recipient mares remained between ?3 and ?2 days (p < 0.05), and the lowest rates were observed for intervals of ?6 days (p < 0.05) with intermediary values for intervals of ?1, 0 and +1 (p > 0.05). Embryonic loss rates, however, did not differ between intervals of ovulation’s synchronism between donor and recipient mares (p > 0.05). This flexibilization in the ovulatory synchronism between donor and recipient mares optimizes the use of recipient mares, thus reducing costs and facilitating management of horse breeding farms.     

Embryo Transfer in Anovulatory Recipient Mares Treated with Estradiol Benzoate and Long-Acting Progesterone

This study aimed to prepare anovulatory mares in anestrus or in the transitional period as embryo recipients. Ninety embryo-recipient mares were divided into two groups (G). G1 (n = 45) comprised animals in anestrus or in the transitional period; these animals were treated for 3 days (D) with 5, 3, and 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (intramuscular) on D0 (day of the donor's ovulation), D1, and D2 (after ovulation), respectively, followed by weekly application of 400 mg of long-acting progesterone (intramuscular) from D3 after ovulation (donor) until the 120th day of gestation. G2 (n = 45) comprised mares with normal estrous cycles. Plasma levels of progesterone (P₄) were measured on days D1, D2, D8, and D14. Sixty percent of the animals in G1 and 71.1% in G2 (P > .05) completed the pregnancy. On D8, there was no difference in P₄ levels between G1 and G2 animals, but there was a difference in P₄ levels on D14 (P < .05). It was concluded that anovulatory mares in anestrus or in the transitional period could be used as embryo recipients. The protocol was efficient and also considered an appropriate alternative to prepare the uterine environment for embryo transfer; long-acting progesterone administration kept P₄ levels high enough to maintain pregnancy until the 120th day and provided recipients during the time of the year when fewer mares were cycling and ovulating.     

Clinical Experience Using MicroLactin for the Treatment of Equine Inflammatory Disease

MicroLactin is a patented milk protein concentrate whose mode of action is proposed to inhibit neutrophil activation in inflammation and to bolster the immune response in musculoskeletal diseases. MicroLactin was empirically used in the treatment of a series of equine clinical cases. MicroLactin was given in two trials to 166 horses in which neutrophils were associated with an inflammatory response. The primary clinical groups having the greatest positive responders to the use of MicroLactin were: respiratory (92%), joint lameness/foot trauma (90%), muscle injury/myositis (92%), equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) (81%), skin trauma/hypersensitivity (89%), and toxic enteritis (89%). Positive clinical results were seen within 10 to 14 days when MicroLactin was used as a daily treatment either alone or in combination with other anti-inflammatory agents or as an adjunct to the primary treatment.     

The Anti‐Müllerian Hormone Profile is Linked with the In Vitro Embryo Production Capacity and Embryo Viability after Transfer but Cannot Predict Pregnancy Outcome

The current study investigated the possibility of using the AMH concentration as a predictor of the ability of Korean Hanwoo cows to produce cumulus‐oocyte complexes, embryos that survive after transfer as well as the pregnancy outcome of surrogates. Eight sessions of ovum pick‐up (OPU) were performed with 19 donor cows at an interval of 3–4 days. Antral follicle count (AFC), oocyte quality and in vitro embryo development were recorded for each cow. Embryos produced from cows with different AMH profiles were transferred into recipients (n = 96). Cows in the high (≥0.25 ng/ml) and intermediate (0.1≥ to <0.25 ng/ml) AMH groups had a significantly higher AFC per OPU session (20.40 ± 1.36 and 16.91 ± 1.52, respectively; mean ± standard deviation) than cows in the low AMH group (<0.1 ng/ml; 12.19 ± 2.14). In addition, more cumulus‐oocyte complexes per donor were recovered in the high (11.46 ± 1.22) and intermediate (7.38 ± 0.83) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (4.77 ± 0.44). The percentage of oocytes reached blastocyst stage was significantly higher in the intermediate (47.0%) and high (38.5%) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (32.3%). The number of embryos produced per cow was higher in the high (3.9 ± 0.2) and intermediate (6.9 ± 0.6) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (2.2 ± 0.3). The percentage of embryos that gave birth to viable calves when transferred into recipients was higher for those derived from cows in the intermediate AMH group (50.7%) than for those derived from cows in the low (35.7%) and high (36.4%) AMH groups. In conclusion, a single measurement of AMH concentration predicted the in vitro embryo production potential of donor Korean native cows before OPU and is linked with embryo viability after transfer into recipients.     

Effect of a Nonsurgical Embryo Transfer Procedure and/or Altrenogest Therapy on Endogenous Progesterone Concentration in Mares

Endogenous progesterone levels may decline after transcervical embryo transfer in some mares. Progestogen therapy is commonly used to support endogenous progesterone levels in embryo transfer recipient mares or those carrying their own pregnancy. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of the transcervical transfer procedure and/or altrenogest therapy on luteal function in mares. Mares were assigned to one of six treatment groups: group 1 (untreated control; n = 7 cycles), group 2 (sham transfer, no altrenogest; n = 8 cycles), group 3 (sham transfer plus altrenogest; n = 8 cycles), group 4 (pregnant, no altrenogest; n = 9 mares), group 5 (pregnant plus altrenogest; n = 9 mares), and group 6 (nonpregnant plus altrenogest; n = 10 cycles). Mares in groups 4-6 were bred and allowed an opportunity to carry their own pregnancy. Blood samples were collected for 22 days beginning on the day of ovulation. Sham embryo transfer (groups 2 and 3, combined) did not result in a decline in endogenous progesterone levels compared with control mares (group 6). However, sham embryo transfer did result in luteolysis and an abrupt decline in endogenous progesterone levels in one of the 16 (6.2%) sham-transferred mares. Altrenogest therapy in sham-transferred mares (group 3) was associated with lower endogenous progesterone levels on days 10, 12, and 13 postovulation when compared with sham-transferred mares that did not receive altrenogest (group 2). Administration of altrenogest to pregnant mares (group 5) was associated with lower concentrations of endogenous progesterone from days 14 to 18 and on day 21 compared with endogenous progesterone levels in pregnant mares not administered altrenogest (group 4). In conclusion, a transcervical embryo transfer procedure can cause luteolysis in a low percentage of mares. Altrenogest therapy may be associated with a reduction in endogenous progesterone secretion, presumably mediated by a reduction in pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) release and a decrease in luteotropic support.     

Systematic Review of Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drug‐Induced Adverse Effects in Dogs

The aim of this systematic review was to identify, assess, and critically evaluate the quality of evidence of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID)‐induced adverse effects in dogs. Original prospective studies published in peer‐reviewed journals in English (1990–2012) that reported data on the safety of NSAIDs administration in dogs were searched. For each study, design type (I, II, III, or IV) and assessment of quality (+, Ø, ?) were rated. For each drug, quantity and consistency rating (***, **, *) and strength of evidence (high, moderate, low, or extremely low) were identified and evaluated. The strength of evidence was defined in terms of how applicable and relevant the conclusions were to the target population. Sixty‐four studies met the inclusion criteria. Thirty‐five (55%) research studies and 29 (45%) clinical trials were identified. A high strength of evidence existed for carprofen, firocoxib, and meloxicam; moderate for deracoxib, ketoprofen, and robenacoxib; and low for etodolac. Quality and consistency rating were as follows: carprofen (***/***), deracoxib (**/***), etodolac (*/unable to rate), firocoxib (***/**), ketoprofen (**/***), meloxicam (***/***), and robenacoxib (**/**), respectively. Adverse effects were detected in 35 studies (55%) and commonly included vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia. Three studies (5%) reported a power analysis related to adverse effects of ≥80%. In randomized, placebo‐controlled, blinded studies (n = 25, 39%), the incidence of adverse effects was not statistically different between treated and control dogs. Finally, most studies were not appropriately designed to determine the safety of NSAIDs, and involved a healthy nongeriatric population of research dogs.     

Epidemiological Study of Non‐contagious Intramammary Infections in Nine Commercial Dairy Herds following a Staphylococcus aureus Control Programme

Changes in prevalence in intramammary infection, by pathogen type, in herds applying a stringent contagious mastitis control programme was studied. Enrollment of 1651 lactating cows and collection of milk samples was made in this ancillary study to a cohort study of the dynamics of mastitis prevalence after adoption of a strict contagious mastitis control programme that targeted the elimination of mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Nine commercial dairies in Italy were used. Aseptic collection of milk samples from all lactating cows was performed at the time of enrollment, from all cows within 7–14 days of entering the lactating herd after the date of enrollment, and from all lactating cows at 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14 months after the date of enrollment. Prevalence of intramammary infection by pathogen type was determined from culture of milk samples. Application of the strict contagious mastitis programme did not lead to an increased risk of non‐contagious mastitis. The risk of coliform, environmental streptococcal and coagulase‐negative staphylococcal intramammary infections decreased after adoption of the programme. The data reported herein indicate that the overall risk for any intramammary infections decreases with adoption of a strict contagious mastitis programme, and that such a programme therefore does not necessarily lead to an increase in environmental mastitis.     

Cefquinome Concentrations in Endometrium after Intrauterine Treatment of Cobactan 4.5%® in Mares and Inflammatory Response of the Endometrium to this Treatment

This study was conducted to measure the concentration of cefquinome in the endometrium of mares after intrauterine treatment and to evaluate associated inflammation. Mares (n = 14) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: (i) control (n = 4) were either not treated (n = 2) or received (n = 2) lactated Ringer's intrauterine for 1 or 3 days; (ii) treated mares (n = 10) received intrauterine cefquinome for 1 or 3 days. After at least 10 days had passed following the last treatment and ovulation, mares were given Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and were randomly assigned to an alternate treatment. Endometrial biopsy samples were taken at 2, 8, 24 and 48 h, or at 4, 12 and 36 h, after the last treatment. Biopsy samples were taken at the same time points from control mares (n = 2) and lactated Ringer-treated mares (n = 2). Cefquinome concentrations were quantified using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay and inflammation was assessed using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections. Concentrations of cefquinome [559 (1 day) and 595 μg/g (3 days) at 2 h, and 403 (1 day) and 370 μg/g (3 days) at 4 h] were similar between treatment groups at 2 and 4 h after treatment (p > 0.05). At 8 h, as well as at 24 and 48 h, concentrations were greater in the 3-day group (17 vs 301 μg/g, 3 vs 80 μg/g and 0.1 vs 0.2 μg/g, respectively) (p < 0.05). No significant differences (p > 0.05) in the inflammatory response at 2–48 h after treatment were found between groups.     

Prostaglandin F2α Metabolite Levels Following an Embryo Transfer Procedure in the Mare

Hormonal, chemical, and mechanical stimuli can activate the arachidonic acid cascade and result in formation of prostaglandins and related substances. These compounds can have a profound role in the initiation of the inflammatory process (Higgins & Lees 1984). Prostaglandin (PG) F_2α is the key hormone in reproductive physiology with well-known effects on reproductive performance e.g. luteolysis and abortion. An activation of the arachidonic acid cascade, caused by mechanical manipulation during an embryo transfer procedure, might be one explanation for early embryonic loss.     

不同同期发情处理方法对威宁黄牛胚胎移植效果的影响研究

[目的]研究不同同期发情处理方法对威宁黄牛胚胎移植效果的影响。[方法]采用CUE-MATE孕酮栓＋PG法和PG注射法进行对比试验,并分析结果。[结果]PG注射法的可移植率、产犊率均优于CUE-MATE孕酮栓＋PG法。[结论]采用PG注射法和CUE-MATE孕酮栓＋PG法对威宁黄牛进行同期发情处理后,PG注射法的胚胎移植...     

Evaluation of a Motorized Morcellator for Laparoscopic Removal of Granulosa‐Theca Cell Tumors in Standing Mares

Objective: To describe a motorized morcellator technique for laparoscopic removal of granulosa‐theca cell tumors (GCT) in standing mares and to evaluate long‐term outcome. Study Design: Case series. Animals: Mares (n=7) aged 4–15 years, with unilateral GCT. Methods: Tumor size was determined by transrectal palpation and ultrasonography. Standing sedated mares had 3 laparoscopic portal sites in the paralumbar fossa. After laparoscopic observation of the GCT, the mesovarium was desensitized, the ovarian pedicle transected with a LigaSure^® device, and the ovary grasped with forceps and cut in cylindrical tissue blocks using a motorized morcellator. Tissue blocks were removed through the laparoscopic sleeve. Outcome was determined by telephone interview of owners 6–40 months after surgery. Results: Estimated ultrasonographic median GCT diameter was 17 cm (range, 10–22 cm). Surgical time was 2–4.5 hours. There were no surgical complications. Two mares had mild subcutaneous emphysema at the portals after surgery. Convalescence was short, owners were satisfied with cosmetic outcome, and clinical signs associated with GCT did not recur. Conclusion: The motorized morcellator allows piecemeal removal of large GCT through a relatively small laparoscopic portal. Surgical complications were rare and the cosmetic outcome is favorable. Clinical Relevance: A motorized morcellator is a safe and minimally invasive technique for laparoscopic removal of GCT in mares.