The document presents a live webcast addressing factors influencing mare fertility, including cycling health, reproductive anatomy, and seasonal variations. It discusses signs of estrus, body condition's impact on reproductive performance, and the role of the stallion in breeding success. Various strategies for improving conception rates and identifying reproductive issues in both mares and stallions are also provided.

1. My Horse University and eXtension’s HorseQuest welcome you to this live Webcast. Why Won’t my Mare Get Pregnant? Kathy Anderson University of Nebraska-Lincoln

2. Meet our presenter: Kathy Anderson University of Nebraska-Lincoln

3. Factors Affecting Getting Mares “Settled” Is she normal? Cycling Health Reproductive anatomy Fertility Uterine environment Is he normal? Fertility

4. Is She Cycling?

5. Seasonality of the Mare

6. Normal Estrus/Heat Cycle 21 day cycle Estrus/heat period 3- 4 days Individual variation Seasons

7. Estrus Detection Signs Urinate Squatting Tail raising Winking of vulva Swelling, relaxation of vulva area Much variation between mares

8. Estrus Detection Tease scores 0 = out of heat 1 = passive 2 = slightly interested May be coming in or going out 3 = urinates, winking, greater interest 4 = intense behavioral signs

9. Estrus Detection Video

10. Foal Heat Mares Occurs 7 – 9 days after foaling Fertile estrus period May last 3 – 5 days May not show estrus, but will ovulate

11. Foal Heat Mares Slightly lower conception rates Be selective and screen mares Difficult parturition? Retained placenta? Condition of mare? Time of year?

12. Foal Heat Mares Uterine lavage Flush out uterus Day 2 – 4 or 5 post parturition Improved conception rates Stimulate uterine involution

13. Foal Heat Mares Short cycle mare PGF 6 – 7 day following ovulation Shorten interval from foaling to rebreeding about 10 days

14. Lactational Anestrus Postpartum mare which do not show estrus May or may not ovulate Body condition score? Foaled early in year? Restrictive nursing Separate foals and only allow nursing 4 – 6 times per day Regumate treatment

15. Is She Healthy?

16. Body Condition and Reproductive Performance 5 or below Reduced reproductive performance Increased embryonic loss

17. Body Condition and Reproductive Performance 5 or above Improved reproductive performance Cycle earlier in the year Fewer cycles per conception Higher pregnancy rate Improved pregnancy maintenance rate

18. Body Condition and Reproductive Performance Lactating mare Below condition score of 5 May not cycle Uses energy for milk production

19. Stress, Soundness

20. Is Her Reproductive Anatomy Normal?

21. Vulva Anatomy Problems : Poor seal Tipped Wind sucker Pool urine Relaxed

22. Vulva External structure Cyclic changes Estrus In “heat” Loose, relaxed, winking when in heat Diestrus “ Out of heat” Tight, closed Estrus

23. Vulva Anatomy Caslick’s Sutures lips closed Used in mares with poor conformation Used sometimes in other situations

24. Is She Fertile?

25. Early Embryonic Loss Prior to Day 40 Causes Maternal factors Endocrine Low progesterone Oviductal environment Poor transport Uterine environment Endometritis Fluid w/n uterus Periglandular fibrosis Uterine cysts Age Lactation Poor body condition Delayed uterine involution External factors Stress Inadequate nutrition Embryonic factors Small size Defects Chromosomal abnormalities Reduced viability

26. Influence of Mare’s Age on Reproductive Efficiency TABLE 1. 3-8 Years 9-13 Years 14-18 Years >18 Years TOTAL No. Mares 386 214 118 50 768 No. Estrus Cycles 592 328 190 95 1205 Day 15 Preg./Cycle 64.7 65.5 60.0 44.2 62.6 Day 40 Preg/Cycle 60.8 58.5 50.5 34.7 56.5 % Preg. Lost Days 15-40 6.0 10.7 15.8 21.4 9.7 % Preg. Lost Day 40-Foaling 8.4 8.3 16.0 15.2 9.8 % Mares Produced Live Foal 84.7 82.2 66.9 56.0 79.4

27. Clean Reproductive Practices

28. Uterine Environment Examinations & Tests Rectal palpation Ultrasound examination Uterine culture Endometrial biopsy

29. Uterine Environment Low grade endometritis Low grade infection Flush Antibiotic infusion Scaring

30. Uterine Environment Cysts More common as mares age May or may not cause fertility problems Post-breeding inflammatory response Lavage between breedings Common with: Frozen semen Using extender

31. Uterine Environment Problem breeder Retains fluid Poor conception Systemic Oxytocin 12 hr post-breeding Empty uterus

32. Twinning Placental insufficiency to carry multiples 60 – 70% abort 8 – 11 months most abort Overlapping placenta devoid of uterine attachment Decreased nutrition for multiple fetuses Retarded growth of one Mummified fetus Cause of nearly 20% - 30% all pregnancy losses

33. Twinning in Mares All twin pregnancies 60% Live single Foal 9% Carry both twins to term 31% Abort both 64.5% 2 stillborn 21% 1 live, 1 stillborn 14.5% 2 live twins

34. Is He Fertile?

35. Factors Determining Sperm Output Testicular size # of spermatozoa produced depends largely on amount of FUNCTIONAL testicular tissue Testes size is heritable Scrotal circumference should be greater than 80 mm

36. Frequency of Ejaculation Increasing the frequency of ejaculation from 1 to 2 times/day does NOT result in increased sperm output Ejaculation frequency has little to no effect on fertility of individual spermatozoa No scientific evidence to support the common belief that if ejaculation occurs too frequently the stallion will ejaculate immature spermatozoa

37. Seasonality and the Stallion Use of artificial lights on stallions “ Shift” of breeding season from summer to fall No increase in total sperm produced/season Will have increased sperm production in winter months Decreased sperm production in summer months

38. Factors Determining Sperm Output Age Sperm reserves of sexually rested stallions increased with advancing age (due to a much larger storage capacity for spermatozoa) Testicular size increases with age>> increased DSP

39. Factors Determining Sperm Output 2 collections, 1 hour apart Second collection will be ½ of the first

40. Evaluate Stallion’s Semen Volume Concentration Motility % abnormal/normal Best test Does he get mares pregnant??

41. The Bottom Line Make sure she is cycling Make sure she is in correct body condition Reduce stress Have her reproductive status evaluated Use the most fertile stallion Good luck!!

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43. Upcoming Webcasts Nutritional Supplements for Horses December 15, 2009 | 7:00 pm EST

44. Thank you for attending this live web presentation! For more information about My Horse University please visit us at: www.myhorseuniversity.com info@myhorseuniversity.com | www.myhorseuniversity.com | 517-353-3123