Correlations of corpus luteum blood flow with fertility and progesterone in embryo recipient mares.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the corpus luteum vascularization with the concentration of progesterone and the fertility of embryo recipient mares. Mangalarga Marchador mares (n = 33) were distributed into groups according to the days (D) after ovulation, as follows: D3 (n = 8), D4 (n = 8), D5 (n = 9), and D6 (n = 8). The evaluations of the corpus luteum, endometrium, and blood collection to quantify the progesterone concentration were carried out on D3, D4, D5, and D6. Among the parameters evaluated, only progesterone concentration on D6 differed from the other groups (P <0.05). A positive correlation (P <0.05) between the diameter and the area of the corpus luteum, and the objective and subjective methods of the corpus luteum vascular perfusion, was identified. Likewise, a positive correlation (P <0.05) was observed between the objective and subjective methods of the vascular perfusion in the corpus luteum and the progesterone concentration. The pregnancy rate obtained in this study (54.54%) was not affected (P> 0.05) by the day of embryo transfer, whose percentages were 37.50% (3/8) on D3, 50% (4/8) on D4, 66.70% (6/9) on D5, and 62.50% (5/8) on D6. It was estimated that with each increase on the day of embryo transfer, the pregnancy rate increases. The results allow to conclude that the corpus luteum vascularization in mares, evaluated by Doppler ultrasound, correlates with progesterone concentration and the embryo transfer day.