The Use of Ultrasonography in the Reproductive Examination of the Mare “An Update”

Abstract

Very few people predicted the impact that ultrasonography has had on the equine breeding industry. The ability to scan a mare’s reproductive tract noninvasively with ultrasound provides the opportunity to diagnose pregnancy earlier than with rectal palpation, effectively manage twins and detect impending early embryonic death. However, ultrasonography should not be limited to these areas. Ultrasonography can be utilised to diagnose uterine pathology, such as intrauterine fluid, air, debris and cysts. More, ultrasonographic examination of the ovaries may aid in determining stage of estrous cycle, status of preovulatory follicles, development and morphologic assessment of the corpus luteum (CL) and interpreting ovarian irregularities, such as anovulatory, hemorrhagic follicles or periovarian cysts.