Effect of dose and day of treatment on uterine response to oxytocin in mares

To determine the effect of dose and day of oxytocin treatment on intrauterine pressure, 6 normal mares were treated with 10 or 25 IU oxytocin 2 days before ovulation, on the day of ovulation and 2 days after ovulation. Intrauterine pressure (IUP) was measured using micro-tip-catheters (one placed intrauterine, a second and third serving as reference sensors in the vagina and external to the mare) and transmitted by telemetry for 30 min to establish a baseline before saline was administered, iv, and for an additional 30 min after saline administration. Oxytocin was then given, iv, and IUP was recorded for 60 min. No change in IUP was observed after saline injection. The administration of both 10 (n=16) and 25 (n=10) IU oxytocin induced a response (P<0.01). The intensity of response depended on the day of administration (P<0.01) and the dose of oxytocin (P<0.001). The variation of response was significantly greater after 10 IU oxytocin (CV 15.78%) compared with 25 IU oxytocin (CV 6.42%). The uterine response was greatest on Day 2 prior to ovulation and lowest on Day 2 after ovulation. The response was negatively correlated to increasing plasma progesterone (10 IU oxytocin: r = -0.435, 25 IU oxytocin: r = -0.265). There was no correlation between the uterine response and plasma estradiol-17beta concentration (P<0.01). In conclusion the results of this study show that oxytocin administration to mares before ovulation provides a greater response than after ovulation. A decline in the intensity of response after ovulation can be compensated for with a higher dose of oxytocin. Furthermore, the use of the multiple catheter technique is an effective method for assessing changes in uterine pressure.