Surgery of the female equine reproductive tract (Proceedings)
Common indications for surgery of the equine ovary include:
Tumors of the equine ovary may arise from 3 tissues of origin:
GCT are the most frequently reported tumor of the equine ovary. Mares with GCT frequently present with the following complaints from owners: nymphomania or continuous estrus (failure to cycle normally), anestrus, aggression or stallion-like behavior, or perhaps no behavior change (rare), or simply failure to conceive. GCT are typically detected on rectal palpation as an enlarged ovary with the contralateral ovary being much smaller in size or dormant. Transrectal ultrasound is used to confirm ovarian enlargement by finding a characteristic loculated, cystic-like appearance of the ovary. It is important for the veterinarian to confirm these findings on repeated palpations over a 6-8 week time frame. Hormonal assays play a critical role in the diagnosis of GCT. Serum levels of testosterone, progesterone and inhibin are helpful in confirming a diagnosis of GCT. Most mares with GCT tumors will show elevated levels of testosterone and inhibin, but not all. Of the mares with GCT, 87% and 54% will show elevated levels of inhibin and testosterone, respectively. The Endocrinology Lab at UC Davis charges $50 for the GCT pane (http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/PHR/endolab.htm).
GCT have been reported in juvenile fillies and also bilaterally in adults, but this is rare. Unlike other tumors, GCT rarely metastasize or appear on the contralateral lateral ovary following removal. Surgical removal of the ovary is the treatment of choice, with mares returning to normal estrous behavior within 6-8 months.
Ovarian hematoma, abscess and cyst
Mares with ovarian hematomas may present with signs of either acute or chronic colic. Ovarian hematomas often occur following ovulation due to the high level of anti-coagulant contained with follicular fluid. Once bleeding is initiated, the capsule of the ovary is stretched, causing pain. In the acute stage, mares may show evidence of abdominal pain, stamping or shifting of the hind feet and flag their tails. Transrectal ultrasound will show an enlarged ovary with either swirling hyperechoic fluid or clotted blood. The decision to remove the ovarian hematoma is based upon the size of the ovary, degree of pain and chronicity of the condition. Mares with smaller size hematomas may slowly resolve over time. Mares with larger hematomas that are persistently painful may require ovariectomy. Ovarian abscesses are unusual, and caused by either hematogenous spread of infection or secondary infection an ovarian hematoma. Mares may present with symptoms of chronic abdominal pain, peritonitis, fever of unknown origin or failure to cycle normally. Once diagnosed, ovarian abscesses should be removed in case of rupture with secondary peritonitis and adhesions formation. Ovarian cysts are generally diagnosed on transrectal ultrasound and are removed when they repeatedly interfere with normal reproductive cycles.