| Abstract: | Characteristics of regular and irregular ovarian events were studied by daily ultrasound examination in 102 non-bred mares. The mean diameter of the prevoluatory follicle on the day before a single ovulation was significantly higher in April (46 mm) and May (48 mm) than in July (40 mm). Diameter was also significantly different among single (44 mm), double unilateral (35 mm), and double bilateral (40 mm) preovulatory follicles. The incidence of apparent anovulation within the ovulatory season was 4.7%. All apparent anovulations involved filling of the follicle with blood (hemorrhagic follicles). The incidence of diestrous ovulations was 4%. Prolonged interovulatory intervals occurred in 6 of 69 (9%) intervals. In 2 intervals (30 and 33 days), both the luteal and follicular phases were prolonged and no structural ovarian or uterine irregularities were detected. Three prolonged intervals (34, 41, and 49 days) were associated with hemorrhagic follicles and 1 was associated with a late diestrous ovulation (47 days). The condition known as spontaneous persistence of the corpus luteum, which is thought to be common in nonpregnant mares, was not detected in any of 69 interovulatory intervals. |
