Post-breeding endometritis in the mare

Post-breeding endometritis is a major cause of subfertility in the mare. En dometritis is a normal event in the immediate period after mating, but the presence of ultransonographically visible uterine fluid more than 12 h late r is thought to be evidence of uterine pathology. Tn mares that are free of venerally transmitted endometritis, treatment is aimed at removing the int raluminal fluid. If the endometritis persists past day 5, when the embryo e nters the uterine lumen, the cytotoxic environment will not be compatible w ith pregnancy. Reproductive anatomy, defective myometrial contractility, lo wered immune defences, overproduction of mucus, inadequate lymphatic draina ge, or a combination of these factors will predispose the mate to post-bree ding endometritis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.