Evaluation of the cyclic changes in mare reproductive system comparing biopsy and endoscopic methods

During a period of one year, reproductive status of twenty one
healthy maiden and parous Turkaman cross bred mares were
studied during breeding and non breeding seasons The reproductive
health and fertility of the mares ranging 3 -13 years of age were
confirmed by taking history, performing rectal palpation and
studying endometrial culture, cytology and histology. Stages of the
oestrous cycles were determined by daily teasing and rectal
palpation, the findings were compared with those of the
hysteroscopic and histologic alternations of the endometrium.
Aerophilic and microaerophilic bacterial cultures were prepared
from endometrial swabs. Twelve cases of 21 mares were in estrous
and 9 cases were in diestrous periods. Three biopsy specimens out
of 21 were diagnosed in grade 1 and 18 cases in grade IIA of the
Kenney & Doig (1986) classification. There was 71% agreement
between the diagnosis of estrous using biopsy and teasing - rectal
palpation methods. There was a statistically significant difference
between the diagnosis of the stage of estrous cycle using biopsy and
compared with teasing - rectal palpation methods,(kappa
coeffcient=0.47). There were six cases in estrous which diagnosed
diestrous using biopsy method, However, they were more than
nine years of age. Chronic degenerative endometrial disease is an
inevitable result of senility. It seems that detection of the estrous
cycle using endometrial biopsy samples should be conducted
cautiously, especially in mares over 9 years of age There was an
81% agreement between diagnosis of estrous cycle by comparing
endoscopic with teasing - rectal palpation methods. Using
McNemar test, there was no significant difference between
diagnosis of estrus cycle by endoscopic and teasing - rectal
palpation.methods. kappa coefficient test was 0.6. E. coli and
Alcaligenes were isolated from endometrial cultures in anestrous,
whereas Strep spp, Staph spp, Alcaligenes and E. coli were
isolated in cyclic mares. No bacteria were isolated from
microaerophilic cultures in charcoal agar having CO2, Endoscopic
examinations were well tolerated by all the mares and no adverse
effects were noted. The clinicians are recommended to perform
hysteroscopic examination during dietstrous injecting a
prostaglandin F2a analogue after the examination to induce
luteolysis and rapid return to estrous. In conclusion, endoscopic
evaluation of the uterus is a useful method to accertain the
reproductive health and has the advantage to that of microscpic
method.