Procedure diagnostiche nella riproduzione della fattrice: Valutazione ormonale e prove genetiche

This is the third and final article of a three-part Continuing Education Series on reproductive diagnostics in mares. Hormonal evaluation and genetic testing are procedures that should be performed on mares that are presented with infertility that has not been diagnosed by means of previous testing. In addition to making a diagnosis, veterinarians may decide to pursue further tests in order to confirm previous findings, to determine a prognosis, or to select therapeutic options. The first article in the series discussed basic reproductive evaluation in mares, including external conformation evaluation, palpation of internal genitalia per rectum, ultrasonography of the reproductive tract, vaginoscopy, and manual vaginal/cervical/uterine examination. The second article considered uterine culture, cytology, and biopsy; hysteroscopy; oviductal patency testing; and scintigraphy. Sample collection for hormonal evaluation and genetic testing involves procedures that veterinarians can perform in their practices. Inhibin, equine chorionic gonadotropin, estrone sulfate, progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone are the hormones of interest in reproductive diagnostics in mares. At various laboratories, multiple hormonal packages and single assays are available to practitioners. Genetic testing should be performed when the cause of infertility is unresolved. XO and 64,XY gonadal dysgenesis are among the most common genetic disorders that result in infertility in mares.