Delayed embryonic development or a long sperm survival in two mares-A registration conundrum.

Equine Vet J. January 2024;56(1):131 - 136.

Patrick M McCue¹, Philip M Matthews², Melissa J Prell³, Rebecca R Bellone⁴, Heather Allen⁵

¹ Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.; ² Peterson Smith Advanced Fertility Center, Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital, Ocala, Florida, USA.; ³ Peterson Smith Advanced Fertility Center, Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital, Ocala, Florida, USA.; ⁴ Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.; ⁵ Bureau Veritas Laboratories, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Genetic testing is required for the registration of foals of most equine breeds.

OBJECTIVES:To describe two clinical cases of marked delayed embryonic development or delayed fertilisation in pregnancies generated by embryo transfer.

STUDY DESIGN:Case report.

METHODS:Donor mares were inseminated with semen from one stallion during one oestrous cycle and semen from a different stallion on the subsequent oestrous cycle. Embryo(s) were collected 8 days after ovulation during the second oestrous cycle and transferred into synchronised recipient mares. Genetic testing was performed to determine parentage of the two foals.

RESULTS:For both foals, DNA parentage testing excluded the second stallion as the genetic sire and confirmed that the first stallion, whose semen was inseminated on the previous oestrous cycle, was the actual genetic sire.

MAIN LIMITATIONS:Rare event in horses; two clinical cases are described.

CONCLUSIONS:It is hypothesised that either marked delayed embryonic development or extended sperm survival occurred in the donor mares. Without genetic testing, parentage assignment based solely on breeding records would have been incorrect.

Keywords

DNA; delayed; embryonic development; horse; parentage;

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Archives Highlights:

National survey reveals elastic price sensitivity for select equine veterinary services.
Willingness-to-pay questions were presented with a payment card approach and addressed 3 common services: annual spring vaccinations, lameness examinations, and emergency colic surgeries. In a payment card approach, respondents choose from among preselected values. Respondents were asked to choose the maximum amount they would be willing to pay for each service.

[Disease Caused by Filoviruses: An Update].
The Marburg and Ebola viruses belong to the Filoviridae family and are known to cause emerging zoonotic diseases. These viruses have a high case fatality rate and are easily transmissible from person to person, which makes them capable of triggering outbreaks, including in non-endemic regions, and are also considered agents of bioterrorism. This review aims to improve clinical knowledge and the approach to suspected cases of FD. Improved surveillance and preparedness for potential global outbreaks are essential measures to effectively respond to these public health threats and to ensure that healthcare professionals are well-informed and prepared to deal with these diseases.

Guide for nonswine practitioners to enhance swine disease diagnoses.
This review aims to help clinicians across the country that may not have an in-depth experience in swine medicine become more familiar with both common and novel pathogens, formulate a differential diagnosis based on the age of the animals and affected system (eg, respiratory, systemic, nervous, and enteric), select proper samples and laboratory testing, and interpret laboratory data to achieve a disease diagnosis in porcine patients.

Investigation of maternal mortality and stillbirth in feline dystocia after emergency obstetric care interventions: a retrospective analysis.
Medical treatment was successful in 17% of patients, and 83% underwent surgical treatment for dystocia. Ovariohysterectomy (59%) was the most common surgical method, followed by conservative caesarean section (35%).

Oral Flea Preventive to Control Rickettsia typhi-Infected Fleas on Reservoir Opossums, Galveston, Texas, USA, 2023-2024.
Spinosad killed 98% of fleas infesting opossums.