Hormone Manipulation: Case 1

It is February 24 and you would like to breed your Quarterhorse (QH mare), Missy, with semen from a great reining stallion from TX. You live in Oklahoma and only a short drive from the farm at which the stallion is kept. Missy was placed on lights beginning on Dec. 1, 2006 for 18 hours/day. She has been teased daily with a stallion since January 23, 2006. The data is shown below:

Today, when you tease her with a stallion she pins her ears back and is swishing her tail and was recorded as C. You have decided to have a veterinarian, Dr. Smith, come in to do a breeding soundness exam with an emphasis on an ultrasound check of her reproductive status. Dr. Smith tells you, Missy is not pregnant. You did not breed her last year so this is good. As Dr. Smith is doing the ultrasound exam, he lets you watch and evaluate the images he observes.

Next you will view the ultrasound video of Missy. You should take some notes of what you see to determine size of follicles and appearence of the uterus. Return to this page when finished viewing the ultrasound movies.

What does the uterine ultrasound tell you? Select all that apply.

Edema is present.
The mare is in estrus.
No edema is present.
The mare is likely in diestrus.

What do you think the veterinarian will say about Missy? View the report.

Based on the information you now have on Missy, you decide to order semen today and breed her tommorrow. Is this a good plan?