Anatomy and Physiology of the Mare

Khalid J. Zamer 20060066049

Topographic Anatomy
Central nervous system - Endocrine ( long-loop) -hypothalamus : GnRH ( regulation) -pituitary gland : gonadotropins, FSH, LH, prolactin, TSH, ACTH, oxytocin (stimulation) -pineal gland : melatonin(seasonality) Endocrine ( long-loop) Reproductive system -abdominal , cranial : ovaries, oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina proper -pelvic , caudal : vulva ( vestibule, labia, clitoris ) *Any abnormality may have a direct/indirect effect on fertility

Factors affecting size, shape & placement of the reproductive tract :

Breed Season Age Rep. status Body condition and health Standing, recumbancy Colon , rectum , urinary bladder Y-T-V

Structural Anatomy
Suspensory ligaments and related structures Ligaments, fascia, adipose tissue : support & corridors Blood vessels, lymphatics & nerves Not closely apposed in the mare as in other species Gestation uterine artery rupture & hemorrhage Ovarian lymph lumbar aortic lymph node Uterine clearance Innervation autonomic sympathetic / parasympathetic

Caudal reproductive tract

Perineum (vulva, anus & surrounding area) -Malconformation degree -Pneumovagina, urovagina, acute / chronic inflammation Vulva 1st line of defence -Vulvular slit /cleft 12-15 cm -Gross appearance estrous cycle stage - Upward insertion ischial arch

Caudal reproductive tract

Clitoris (clitoral gland/pouch) -winking -sinus swapping (Tylorella equigenitalis equine metritis) Vestibule -transverse fold ( 10-12cm) 2nd line of defense - Hymen

Cranial reproductive tract

Vagina proper (20-35cm ) Highly distensible collapsed lumen Thin aglandular wall Cervix secretions(estrous cycle) influnce gross appearance

Cervix (sphicter muscle) (5-8cm) -3rd line of defense -longitudinal mucosal/cervical folds continuous with endometrial folds -mucous secretion hormonally timed changes.

Cranial reproductive tract Uterus

Uterus ( uterine body and horns) Simplex bipartitus Length and diameter Body shorter 18-20 / larger 8-12 Horns longer 20-25/ smaller 1-6 (longitudinal outer/ circular inner ) smooth muscle with a vascular layer in between = myometrium( early embryonic mobility/ fetus expulsion at parturition )

- Outer muscle layer and vasculature are continious with mesometrium

Cranial reproductive tract

UTERUS Highly glandular endometrium Progesterone/esrtogen dominance edema(ovulation/insemination) Clinically , endometritis is the major cause of reduced fertility OVIDUCTS ( 20-30 cm) Fundibulum and fimbriae pick up Expanded ampulla( nourishment/ folds) - fertilization Narrow isthmus(muscle) sperm propelling egg to uterus

Ovaries( follicles, ovum corpora lutea)

Superficial cortical zone 5-7 months- invagination (kidney shaped . Left ovary caudal Hilus / fossa

Follicles
Primordial(resting) preantral antral Source of reproductive steroids( estrogen, pregesterone & androgens ) Ovarian follicular development occurs in a wavelike fashion Waves(30mm) major ( primary / secondary ) -- minor 1- sequential major(anovulatory) & minor waves (transitional) 2- major primary ( ovulatory ) with estrus and either secondary or minor waves with diestus 3- sequential major and minor waves (early pregnancy) Preovulatory separation of granulosa cell layer Spontanious ovulation at 40mm / ultrasound- synchronization

Ovaries(ovum /corpora lutea)

Stage (primary or secondary oocyte ) Ovulation : abrubt / gradual Corpus hemorrhagicum vs. hemorrhagic anovulatory follicle Color doppler

Mammary Glands(udder)
Mammogenesis Isometrically / allometrically Secretory alveoli lobules lobe Waxing

Functional Anatomy
Puberty : 1st ovulation and maturation of the hypothalamicpituitary-ovarian axis Health and nutrition Fall/spring FSH and LH ( high low , low low , low high ) Breed after 3 years

Estrous cycle
Starts in response to increasing day light ( seasonality mechanism) Rythmic cycle ~22 days( estrous follicular and diestrous luteal ) Estrous 5-9 days estrogen ( estradiol ) behavioral estrous Diestrous 14-16 days progesterone Estrous refers to the entire cycle; Estrus refers to the "heat" stage of that cycle when the mare is receptive to the stallion's advances; Diestrus refers to the period in between the estrus phases when the mare is not receptive to the stallion; Anestrus refers to the compete absence of estrus; The mare is a seasonally polyestrus The mare will display receptive behaviour (estrus) towards the stallion for 5-7 days and will ovulate in the last 24-48 hours of that display period.

seasonality
Despite seasonality in the mare, approximately 20% of animals will continue to cycle throughout the year with more mares at the equatorial region than at more northern and southern regions.

 Although sunlight may be the primary factor influencing seasonality, body condition, age, and mare type may be secondary factors interacting with day length to influence seasonality pineal, hypothalamus and pituitary hypothalamic GnRH, pituitary LH, and ovarian steroids (fall/spring transition). The period between the receding and resurging phases (winter anestrus)