The use of hysteroscopy to identify and treat reproductive tract abnormalities in the mare

Abstract

Hysteroscopy is a complementary tool to the traditional transrectal palpation and ultrasonography commonly performed by equine practitioners. Once mastered, it is a quick and useful diagnostic tool for the general and targeted evaluation of the endometrium and provides real time information about potential causes of subfertility. Samples of intrauterine fluid and the endometrium can be taken via transendoscopic catheters or infusion pipettes or via the use of traditional endometrial biopsy forceps. In addition to being a useful diagnostic tool, treatments can often be performed at the same time the pathologies are identified, providing mare owners with information and resolution of problems. With the development of additional technologies, hysteroscopy allows for optical biopsies to be performed, which will likely increase in use as the software moves from the research laboratories to clinical practice. Hysteroscopy is an easily learned, useful clinical skill for the identification of abnormalities in the mares' reproductive tract.