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The use of exogenous

hormones to control estrus


in horses.

Dr. Dhiren B. Bhoi


M.V.Sc., (Gynaecology)
Learning Objectives
• Reasons why we use hormones for equine
reproduction
• Accelerating the transition period
• Initiate ovulation
• Manipulate luteolysis
• Overall schedule exogenous hormones
• Which are best?
Reasons to Establish Controlled Cycles
(Pre-determined Schedule)
• The physiologic breeding season: April to Late Summer
• Use in absence of a teasing stallion
– Unavailable stallion, difficult to detect heat
• Predicted stallion collection, shipping times
• Shorten stays at a breeding farm
• Cooled semen shorter life
• Decreased handling/efforts, optimize fertility, early foals
for performance
• COST/PROFIT$$$
Unique Species
• Seasonally polyestrus (long day)
• Ovarian Physiology: Ovulation occurs at a single spot,
• “Ovulation Fossa”
• Unlike other farms species, most mares have only one follicular wave
– Proestrus phase is the shortest of all farm species

Estrous cycle 21d


Estrus duration 7d
Onset of estrus to ovulation 5d
LH surge to ovulation 2d

Senger, 2003.
Transition Period
• Period of cessation of seasonal anestrus leading to the
breeding season
• Presence of multiple small non-ovulatory follicles
• Applications only speed up period; not eliminate
– Lighting
– GnRH
– Progestins
– Progestins + Estrogen
– eFSH
Transition Period
[Follice Size]

[# Follicles]

[FSH]

[LH]

Donadeu, Ginther,
Accelerating the Transition Period
*Use a lighting system

 Initiates transition period (10-12 wks earlier)


 FSH levels rise 2 months before the breeding season
 Caution: Absence of FSH&LH are necessary to trigger initiation
of transition period

Using Progestins (P4-like Hormones)


 Suppress GnRH secretion- allows a rebound of LH secretion
after the P4 tx is stopped
 Mares must be well into transition period to respond (22mm)
 Decreases prolonged estrus and anovulation
Complications with Progestins

•(Typically) only one follicular wave

•After the last tx of P4, size of dominant follicle could be small or large
Synchronization dependent on development of follicle
•Spontaneous ovulations during luteal phase

Good info less


relevant for
the
assignment
Progestins
• May also be used to:

– Suppress heat in show mares


– Prolong diestrus period to accommodate
stallion collection schedule
Inducing Ovulation
• Why do we need to control time of
ovulation?
• Touch on different approaches – don’t
need too much detail
Inducing Ovulation
*hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

• Large glycoprotein hormone produced by the human placenta


• LH-like: binds to equine LH receptors in ovary for LH peak
• More effective and safer late in transitional period (antibodies)
• Low cost and high clinical effectiveness
Inducing Ovulation
GnRH Synthetic Agonist

”Ovuplant” implant or new injectable form


• Stimulate release of LH and FSH for ovulation
• Ovuplant is placed under the skin
• Use when hCG antibodies are present or a history of hCG
failure

Both hCG and GnRH achieve an ovulation within 48 hours on a 30-45mm follicle
-(on ~90% of all mares)
Inducing Ovulation
eFSH Bioniche (Equine Pituitary Extract)
• Contains LH and FSH
• Stimulate follicular development and advance ovulation in:
– Transitional (shorten period), acyclic & superovulate cycling mares

• Give 5-7days after last ovulation


Give for 3-5 days (or until follicles are >35mm)
give hCG / GnRH 36h after last eFSH to induce ovulation

• Limited availability, expensive


PGF2a
• IM Injection
• Luteolysis= binding of PGF2a to the CL during diestrus period
• Since luteal phase of cycle is short, effective PGF2a shot must be
given when CL is at least day 6 of luteal phase for luteolysis to occur

• Given during the single follicular wave= regression of the CL


– Synchronize cycles (for breeding or embryo transfer)
– Shortens up the luteal phase: sooner ovulation
• Ovulation times can still vary significantly

• Immediate increase in LH and FSH and decrease P4

• Side effects
Good info less
relevant for
the
assignment
PGF2a
Prostaglandin Failure (may need a 2nd tx):

• 25-30% of all mares can may exhibit 2 follicular waves


– Luteolysis will occur, but large follicles in the ovaries don’t respond
• Follicle present during diestrus is almost mature, onset of
estrus is rapid and ovulation is not observed
– Masks the original CL lysis: gives impression that PG tx has failed
– PG may be strong enough to cause an LH surge leading to ovulation
before luteolysis has occurred

Should always ultrasound to determine true


follicle size for best results
Brief explanation of synchronization
protocols as they pertain to the mares
unique physiology would be adequate
Control of estrus is the basis of
predictable control of ovulation.

Bringing it all
together…
Breed

hCG
PGF2α (hCG) PGF2α
estrus

Day 1 6 14 18 20 22
Novak, 2007

PGF2a  Luteolysis of small CL


hCG  Ovulate any remaining large follicles
2nd PGF2a  Luteolysis of new CL (may speed up luteal phase)
estrus ~3-4d later
2nd hCG LH surge to induce ovulation 48hours later (>30mm)
Breed: At ovulation or within 48-72 hours before (time of
hCG shot)
Dependent on breeding method or shipment timing

se this method in conjunction with ultrasound to determine follicle size


se as an alternative to progestin treatment when prolonging of the luteal phase
not desired or mare is out of transition period
Breed

ovulation
Progesterone PGF2α hCG

estrus

Day 1 12 16 18 21
Day 1 8 12 14 16 Novak, 2007

•P4 : Given for no more than 15 days


•Mare must have some follicular activity (20mm)ie, Lighting
system
•Removal will initiate GnRH to stimulate LH release
•PGF2a: Given on last day of P4 tx
•Luteolysis of remaining CL’s
•Mares will come into heat ~3-4 days later
•hCG: LH surge to induce ovulation 48hours later (>30mm)
Breed: At ovulation or within 48-72 hours before (time of
hCG shot)
Use this method after a period of light stimulation for adequate follicular development
to shorten the transition period and calm gonadotropin secretion
for a period when the cycle timing (breeding) needs to be controlled
Suggested for insemination of mares when more than one dose is available:

•Daily examinations during estrus (any time)


•Day 0 Day of 35 to 40 mm follicle detection
•Administer hCG or deslorelin at approximately 4:00 PM
•Day 1 Inseminate a single dose of frozen semen at 4:00 PM (24 hrs post-injection).
•Day 2 Inseminate a second dose of frozen semen at 8:00 AM (40 hours post-injection).
•Day 3 Examine to confirm ovulation & inseminate 3rd dose if the mare has not ovulated @8AM

www.selectbreeders.com
Selection of a specific agent may
be based on:
Touch on these
• Cost – don’t need
too much
• Efficacy details
• Time of year
• Age of the mare
• Follicle size
• Previous use or success
• Clinician preference.
• Lofstedt R. 2004. Rational uses of hormones in broodmares. Professor of
Theriogenology Atlantic Vetereinary College.
• Lofstedt. R. 2003. The use of progesterone & estradiol in broodmares.

• Donadeu, F.X., Ginther, O.J., 2002a. Follicular waves and circulating


concentrations of gonadotrophins, inhibin and oestradiol during the
anovulatory season in mares. Reproduction 124, 875–885.
• McCue, P.M., et al. 2006. Comparison of Compounded Deslorelin and hCG for
Induction of Ovulation in Mares. Elsevier www.sciencedirect.com. Theriogenology
68.
• McCue, P.M., et al. 2007. eFSH in clinical equine practice. Elsevier
www.sciencedirect.com. Theriogenology 68:429–433
• Management of Mares for Frozen Semen Insemination. www.selectbreeders.com
• Douglas RH, Ginther OJ. Effect of prostaglandin F2alpha on length of diestrus in
mares.Prostaglandins. 1972 Oct;2(4):265-8. No abstract available.
PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE
• http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/animals/EquineFacts/TNH1004.pdf
– Good summary Factsheet (modern equine Breeding Factsheet)
• Senger P.L. 2003. Pathways to pregnancy and Partuition Second Revised Edition.
Pullman, WA: Current Conceptions Inc. Ch8
• Donadeu F.X., Watson E.D. 2006. Seasonal changes in ovarian activity: Lessons
learnt from the horse. Animal Reproduction Science. Elsevier 100: 225-242
• McCue P.M., et al. 2007. Comparison of Compounded Deslorelin and hCG for
Induction of Ovulation in Mares. Journal of Eqine Veterinary Science. Pg 58-9.
• Crowell-Davis S.L. 2007. Sexual behavior of mares. Hormones and Behavior.
www.elsevier.com 52:12-17.

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