Abstract
There are few studies about transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration in equine medicine regarding potential complications to future fertility of aspirated mares. In order to evaluate the effect of follicular aspiration on subsequent fertility in mares, two experiments were conducted. In Experiment I, fifteen Criollo mares were allocated to one of three groups according to the diameter of the aspirated follicle during estrus: 25-29mm (n=4; Group 1); 30-34mm (n=6; Group 2); > 35mm (n=5; Group 3) and control group (n=15; Group 4). In Experiment II, the follicular aspiration was attempted in twenty-five mares during diestrous, when at least four follicles (> 5mm) were seen in the transrectal ultrasonography of both ovaries. All visible follicles, between 4 and 8 mm, were aspirated. Thirty-one mares served as control. In Experiments I and II, the pregnancy rates in the following cycle after aspiration were 75.0% (Group 1), 83.3% (Group 2), 60.0% (Group 3), and 73.3% (Group 4 - Control); and 76.0% in the aspirated diestrous group and 77.4% in the control group (non aspirated), respectively. On both experiments, pregnancy rates were similar (P>0.05) in treated and control mares. The results of this study show that the conception rates of the first estrus period following follicular aspiration are not affected by the procedure.
Highlights
There is an increasing demand for assisted reproduction techniques in the equine breeding industry, including the ultrasound-guided transvaginal oocyte aspiration
In equine medicine there are some studies on follicular aspiration[3,4,5, 10], many questions remain about possible effects on the mare’s fertility following the procedure
The uterine bacteriological exam showed no signs of uterus contamination in any of the mares
Summary
There is an increasing demand for assisted reproduction techniques in the equine breeding industry, including the ultrasound-guided transvaginal oocyte aspiration. The ability to collect oocytes directly from the follicle of live mares (OPU) is a viable alternative for subfertile mares with poor reproductive performance. OPU offered a repeatable, less invasive and less traumatic way to provide a source of oocytes[1,2,3,4,5], some studies reported complications after using the technique in mares, as well as in cows and humans[6,7,8,9]. In equine medicine there are some studies on follicular aspiration[3,4,5, 10], many questions remain about possible effects on the mare’s fertility following the procedure. The increasing commercial value of the brood mares has put pressure on breeders, who need to improve the reproductive management of their animals and the genetic value of the offspring
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