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Discussion on Role of Uterine Cysts in Establishing/Maintaining Pregnancy
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Posted on Wednesday, Feb 28, 2001 - 2:10 pm:
I have a 17 year old quarter horse mare that has been an easy breeder for the past 4 years. Last year she was ultrasounded in foal but later was found to be open. Unfortunately, she was not checked for pregnancy from the initial ultrasound until month 4 when she was palpated open. My mare has been found to have cysts in her right horn and that is where she has carried her last 4 foals. What is your opinion, Dr. O, on the role uterine cysts do or do not play in establishing/maintaining pregnancy in older mares, given that the mare is otherwise healthy and breeding sound? BTW, my vet recently palpated and ultrasounded her as breeding sound, but she did not feel a culture or biopsy was indicated...would you please comment on that aspect as well. Thanks!
Sandra
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 1, 2001 - 8:00 am:
Hello Sandra,
We know the prescense of uterine cysts correlates with lower pregnancy rates and higher early embryonic loss. But we do not know if the cysts are causing the problems. The prescense of cysts also correlates with advancing age and increased endometrial pathology. Most of us feel the prescense of 1 cyst less than 20mm is size is not a big deal. The more and the larger the cysts the greater the problem probably will be.
If there are no other indications of disease, under most circumstances I would not biopsy unless further problems where encountered. For economic reasons, I always recommend a cytology if the mare is leaving the farm or semen is being shipped in. Whether to culture is based on cytology results.
DrO
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