Persistent mating-induced endometritis is a common cause of infertility in mares. Mating initiates an inflammatory response in the uterus. Normally this resolves without treatment. However, about 15% of mares still have fluid present in the uterus 24 hours after mating.
If the inflammation has not cleared by the time the fertilised egg reaches the uterus the pregnancy is unlikely to get established.
Factors that affect the ability of the uterus to remove inflammatory fluid include poor conformation, failure of the cervix to dilate, and abnormalities of uterine contractility.
In problem mares, oxytocin may be used to promote drainage of inflammatory fluid, and intrauterine antibiotics are frequently used.
What about anti-inflammatory drugs?
Research in the Equine Reproduction Laboratory of Colorado State University suggests that dexamethasone treatment for persistent mating-induced endometritis may have an adverse effect on ovulation. Dr Ryan Ferris and Dr Patrick McCue advise dexamethasone use should be limited to only 1-2 days - and the use of lower doses should be considered to avoid possible adverse effects on reproductive function.
In a separate study, Dr Horst Rojer and Dr Christine Aurich working at the University of Veterinary Sciences, Vienna, Austria, suggested that non-steroidal anti-inflammatories might be useful for treating mares with PMIE.
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