Large Animal Reproduction - Theriogenology

We are a group of reproductive specialists whose focus is on diagnosis and treatment of fertility problems in male and female animals.   

Therapies and treatments available

Fertility evaluation of male and female animals (cows, sheep, goats, horses, camelids), ultrasound, semen collection and evaluation, treatment of reproductive problems, pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring, twin reduction in mares, foaling-out of high risk mares, dystocia management

The Equine Reproduction Centre offers a variety of services for the horse breeder, including fertility evaluations of mares and stallions, semen collection and evaluation, management of mares for fresh or frozen-semen AI, embryo transfer and pregnancy evaluations.

Specialized equipment

Ultrasound, transvaginal ultrasound probe for twin reductions, SpermVision Computer-Aided Semen Analysis, Fluorescent Microscopy, Deep-Horn AI(mares), Hysteroscopy

What to expect

The Equine Sports Medicine and Reproduction Centre is for healthy horses. Your mare and foal will have a large, airy box stall with rubber matted floor, daily turnout and an individualized feeding program. There is no contact with sick horses in the main OVC hospital.

Mares coming for fertility evaluations are seen as outpatients. Examinations which might include ultrasonography, vaginoscopy, hysteroscopy, endometrial culture, cytology and biopsy, usually take from 45 minutes to 2 hours to complete.

Mares being admitted for ovulation monitoring and insemination are examined by ultrasound upon arrival. The number of days a mare spends at the facility depends on where she is in her cycle when she arrives. A typical stay is 2-3 days for frozen semen AI.

Stallions coming for fertility evaluations have semen collected twice, one hour apart. Appointments generally take from 2-1/2 to 3 hours depending upon the stallion's prior experience with semen collection.

In the Reproduction area, veterinary students accompany faculty and residents as they examine cases, taking part in the discussion with clients about case history, examination findings and treatment options. Veterinary students assist with cases, however they do not perform rectal exams on client animals.

Dr. Tracey Chenier, DVM, DVSc, Dip. ACT