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  Discussion on Domperidone to increase fertility?
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 8, 2000 - 5:31 pm:

Have had two QH mares that have been open for two years. The vet followed proper protocol for AI procedures: Clean culture, Ovuplant when follicle was at 35+, etc. At each 15 to 17-day ultrasound, just repeated heartbreak. Another mare we purchased in January (already in foal) lost hers due to fescue toxicosis complications. We have never had trouble with the fescue before, but after testing came back positive, I guess we will have to live with it. Could our inability to get the 3 mares BRED be linked to the FT? They are wintered on hay from local farms that is probably also infected. My theory is, why can't they be put up under lights in December, taken off all fescue hay, and dosed with Domperidone? It is supposed to increase the proper hormone level needed for conception and gestation, so what are the chances this would help? ANY suggestions will be appreciated.

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 9, 2000 - 6:13 am:

Breeding mares in the SE, we are very familiar with the effects of FT and do not believe we see reduced conception rates. Though the mechanism of action of the toxin could interfere with conception and reduced conception has been proposed: it is not a documented feature in a well studied toxicosis.

How many attempts at AI have been done? Has the semen been critically evaluated? Frequently very small details are the problem and the problem can be different for every attempt.
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Aug 10, 2000 - 3:49 pm:

Dr. O: Thank you for the quick response! The mares were bred from January through May. The Vet evaluated the semen each time it arrived. It was shipped by Overnight Express from a very experienced, well-known breeder.(Stud was on Leading Sires QH List all year). Count and
motility were excellent to good, sterile technique and proper syringe were employed. We even infused the mares prior to the last few breedings. Mares showed no fluid retention or abnormalities under ultrasound examination. Stallion owner verified that 90-odd per cent of the mares bred conceived. Last year, 2 of our mares were checked in foal at 29 and 31 days, so we assumed everything was alright until last fall, when we had them checked during their annual physical. Both evidently absorbed sometime during the summer. This summer, local horse owners lost many mares and foals due to FT. Our vet alone could account for 32 within the county. If any clinical trials would come up for the Domperidone/Fertility study, I would like to take part. (I think we are going to try this, just because we are at a loss for any other solution.)

Posted on Friday, Aug 11, 2000 - 7:30 am:

Even with this complete listing of technique, there are still dozens of way to slip up: don't give up looking. If you want to avoid the possibility of a fescue-endophyte problem far better would be to put your mares on endophyte free fescue or other than fescue grass than experiment with the poorly understood effects of domperidone on pregnancy.
DrO
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