Mycoplasma equigenitalium infection survey of external organs of reproduction system of mares in the suburb of Tehran-Iran

Infectious endometritis in mares due to Mycoplasma equigenitalium causes subfertility, infertility, abortion, foaling reduction, and economic losses in the horse breeding industry. This survey aims to investigate the prevalence of infected mares infected with Mycoplasma equigenitalium in some breeds and keeping rearing horse centers in the suburb of around Tehran-Iran. In this survey, 138 healthy mares were randomly divided into 2 groups of pregnant and non-pregnant mares in different breeds and ages in different horse-riding clubs, research center, and faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran in the suburb of Tehran-Iran. Samples were taken from vaginal (No. 138) and the clitoral fossa (No. 138) of the mares using sterile swabs. Samples in the transport medium carried to the microbiology laboratory of the faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran besides ice bags. They were cultured in PPLO Broth and Agar. They were examined microscopic morphology. Seven out of 276 samples from five (3/62%) mares had mycoplasma colonies and 23 mare’s samples were suspected. Mares with< 2 years old were not infected and the age of the infected mares was 2-20 years old. The entire infected mares were not pregnant and the pregnant mares were not infected. Only 2 (1.44%) mares were infected in clitoral and virginal regions. Four (2.89%) mares were inseminated while 3 (3.03%) mares inseminated naturally. Three (2.17%) mares were Thoroughbred. All of the infected horses used for riding. It is concluded that the non-pregnant mares with natural insemination were infected by Mycoplasma equigenitalium in the suburb of Tehran-Iran.