Clinical application of hysteroscopic hydrotubation for unexplained infertility in the mare.
Authors: Inoue Y, Sekiguchi M
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Hysteroscopic Hydrotubation for Oviductal Obstruction in Mares Oviductal blockage remains a frustratingly common cause of unexplained subfertility in mares, yet treatment options are limited—most existing approaches require surgical intervention. Inoue and Sekiguchi (2018) investigated whether hysteroscopic selective hydrotubation, a minimally invasive standing procedure, could effectively restore patency in suspect cases. Twenty-eight mares with histories of repeated failure to conceive despite known fertility of their stallions underwent standing sedation and catheterisation of the uterotubal junction under endoscopic guidance, with 10 mL saline flushed through each oviduct. The results were striking: 26 of 28 mares (93%) subsequently conceived, with pregnancy achieved in an average of just 1.8 oestrous cycles post-treatment, compared to 6.5 cycles of failed breeding beforehand. For practitioners managing problem breeders, this technique offers a practical non-surgical option that warrants consideration before pursuing more invasive diagnostics or resorting to embryo transfer, though confirmation of oviductal patency prior to treatment would strengthen confidence in the mechanism of improvement.
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Practical Takeaways
- •For mares with unexplained subfertility after multiple cycles with known fertile stallions, hysteroscopic hydrotubation offers a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic option without requiring surgery
- •The procedure can be performed standing under sedation, making it accessible and practical for field or clinic application with standard endoscopic equipment
- •High conception rates (93%) and rapid return to fertility post-treatment suggest this should be considered before pursuing more invasive surgical interventions for suspected oviductal pathology
Key Findings
- •Hysteroscopic hydrotubation successfully infused saline into 50 oviducts across 28 mares with presumptive oviductal blockage
- •26 of 28 mares (92.9%) conceived after treatment following prior subfertility (mean 6.5±4.5 cycles without conception)
- •Mean time to pregnancy after treatment was 1.8±0.8 cycles, substantially reduced from pre-treatment average of 6.5±4.5 cycles
- •Nonsurgical retrograde flushing via hysteroscopic catheterization at the uterotubal junction appears effective for oviductal blockage-related infertility