Equine Uterus Dissected and Labeled

The Equine Uterus Dissected

– Here we show the gross aspects of a mare reproductive tract dissected with labels and explanations.

The equine uterus dissected from above, and behind

This is a view of a mare reproductive tract dissected, from above and behind

Mare reproductive tract dissected, viewed from below

This is a view of the same mare reproductive tract dissected, this time from below. Here the urethral connection of the bladder can be seen clearly (the bladder is again displaced to the left), and the body and horns of the uterus are more clearly differentiated from the broad ligament.

Mare reproductive tract dissected, stripped of fat and broad ligament

In this image, the bladder, fat and broad ligament have been stripped away, clearly revealing the uterine body and horns.

Mare reproductive tract dissected - the cervixThe caudal aspect (back end) of the cervix protrudes into the vagina and is often described as having an appearance and feel of a “small volcano”. There is a depression in the center, which is the opening to the uterus. It is through this opening that the stallion’s penis (which will usually penetrate into and even through the cervix during live cover) will pass, or in the case of insemination, the pipette. When guiding the pipette during AI, it is not usually necessary to place the guiding finger in further than one’s first knuckle joint. The cervix is a remarkable structure, with an “accordion-like” design. This allows expansion at the time of foaling, when a large object – the foal – has to pass through a small opening – the cervix!

Insemination of the mare - position of the hand and pipette inside the vagina

Here the insemination pipette is seen being introduced through the cervix from the vagina, although the vagina itself has been removed, allowing us to show the position of the hand within the vagina during the insemination procedure. Note the tip of the index finger is introduced slightly (up to almost the first knuckle), and is being used to guide the pipette into and through the cervix, as it would when carrying out an insemination.

The ovary itself is an average of 3-5 cm in length and roughly kidney-shaped. The indentation in the center of the lower side being the “ovulation fossa”, where the oocyte evacuated from the follicle (which “implodes” rather than “explodes” upon ovulation), exits on its way to the oviduct after ovulation. The follicle shown here outlined in red on the left side of the image is small at a little over 1 cm in diameter. The size is measured from the outer surface to the innermost extent (in this image therefore, from left to right) and top to bottom, with the two measurements averaged. Given this averaging requirement, ultrasound is the only accurate method for establishing follicular size.

Equine ovary

The sectioned equine ovary, showing at left, a follicle and at right the lighter coloured luteal tissue

Determination of follicular size by rectal palpation relies on the assumption that the follicle is spherical in shape. Although this is often the case, it is not always so. Even if the follicle is spherical, it is difficult to determine the exact edge when using palpation. On the other hand, rectal palpation is of value in many cases to determine how close to ovulation the mare is, as the consistency of the follicle typically softens dramatically very close to ovulation, and this can be established using palpation with greater touch sensation. Ultrasound may detect either a “tear-shaping”; or a thickening of the outer membrane of the follicle, both signs of impending ovulation, but these signs are not always present. Circled in red to the right of the image can be seen an area of luteal tissue lighter in colour than the surrounding ovarian tissue. This is the Corpus Luteum, or CL. This structure forms after ovulation, filling the evacuated space where the follicle was located. The luteal tissue secreted progesterone, which is responsible for early pregnancy maintenance and diestrus behaviour. If the mare is not pregnant, the CL is subsequently lysed by the prostaglandin F released from the uterus, allowing a return to estrus. The luteal tissue may remain visible as a more echoic area on the ovary for several subsequent cycles, but is non-functional.

Equine uterus showing multiple cysts

This endometrium shows multiple cysts – some pedunculated and some embedded within the endometrium.

“Uterine cysts” – a collective term – may take the form of those found embedded in the endometrium (typically “glandular cysts”) or expanding into the uterus, possibly pedunculated. Cysts in themselves are rarely an issue, however they may be harbingers of other endometrial and uterine changes which can reduce pregnancy rates. If a cyst is located close enough to the cervix to interfere with closure, or there are multiple cysts in the region of the corpus-cornual junction, they may present problems with pregnancy maintenance. Rarely, large cysts may interfere with early embryonic movement throughout the uterus which could threaten pregnancy maintenance at the time of maternal recognition (~8-12 days), however to interfere with such movement, the cysts would need to be large or numerous enough to occlude almost the entire uterine body or horn.
Close up of a large uterine cyst in a mare

A large single uterine cyst

Although in most cases they may present minimal risk to pregnancy, cysts can cause confusion at the time of the 12-16 day pregnancy check. As they are fluid-filled, in particular the pedunculated cyst which has minimal attachment but is mostly within the lumen of the uterus may be easily mistaken for an early pregnancy. There is no way to determine the difference between a cyst and a pregnancy at this stage (some may suggested that a small white area found at the top and sometimes the bottom of the round black object visible on the ultrasound screen indicates it to be a pregnancy, but that white area doesn’t actually exist, and is merely an artifact of ultrasonography called a “spectral reflection”). It is therefore recommended to not only map and record the size and position of any uterine cysts visible per ultrasound before breeding, but also to repeat any questionable ultrasound several days later, as a pregnancy will increase in diameter, whereas a cyst will not!


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