ANEQ 310
Assignment 2
Use the following link to work through an equine reproductive case study. Some of the
conditions may be foreign, use your internet resources to understand! Your grade will come from
how you complete the questions below rather than how well you do on the case study.
Submit this completed document to Canvas as a word or PDF document by Sunday at 11:59 pm.
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/case-study/horse-with-abnormal-enlarged-ovary
1. Prior to starting the case study, the title states the horse has an abnormally large ovary.
What is unique about the mare ovary compared to other species that must be considered
throughout the case study?
a. A horse’s ovary is uniquely shaped as well as large compared to other species. As
well as the revered cortex and medulla, that will affect ovulation. Another thing
that is different about a mare's ovary compared to other animals, is that the
surface of the germinal epithelium only lines a small portion of the ovary at the
area of the ovulation fossa.
2. What finding in the past medical history indicates that this may be an endocrine related
condition?
a. In the case study the past medical history showed that the mare had an abnormally
large ovary. What hinted at an endocrine related condition was the abnormal
estrous behavior. The mare was displaying stallion mating behaviors like
mounting and aggression which is not normal behaviors for a mare.
3. What could you learn from the following tests that would be helpful in confirming a
diagnosis? (2 points)
• Rectal exam with transrectal ultrasound
o This could show the shape and size which can be helpful for looking for cysts as
well confirm the size of the ovaries. This would be able to help the veterinarian
determine if the mare could have any potential abnormalities that could be
causing hormonal imbalances in the mare and could explain the behavior of the
other mares. Some diagnosis that this could help determine include ovarian cysts,
a possible uterine infection, or even an abnormal estrous cycle.
• Blood Chemistry Panel
o This could show the health and organ function of the horse. This could rule out
certain diseases and give a general health assessment. It could help by seeing if
the mare could have an ovarian tumor, for example, which would mean that the
testosterone level could be elevated to such a granulosa cell tumor. Another
indicator would be that high testosterone levels could indicate any underlying
Assignment 2
Use the following link to work through an equine reproductive case study. Some of the
conditions may be foreign, use your internet resources to understand! Your grade will come from
how you complete the questions below rather than how well you do on the case study.
Submit this completed document to Canvas as a word or PDF document by Sunday at 11:59 pm.
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/case-study/horse-with-abnormal-enlarged-ovary
1. Prior to starting the case study, the title states the horse has an abnormally large ovary.
What is unique about the mare ovary compared to other species that must be considered
throughout the case study?
a. A horse’s ovary is uniquely shaped as well as large compared to other species. As
well as the revered cortex and medulla, that will affect ovulation. Another thing
that is different about a mare's ovary compared to other animals, is that the
surface of the germinal epithelium only lines a small portion of the ovary at the
area of the ovulation fossa.
2. What finding in the past medical history indicates that this may be an endocrine related
condition?
a. In the case study the past medical history showed that the mare had an abnormally
large ovary. What hinted at an endocrine related condition was the abnormal
estrous behavior. The mare was displaying stallion mating behaviors like
mounting and aggression which is not normal behaviors for a mare.
3. What could you learn from the following tests that would be helpful in confirming a
diagnosis? (2 points)
• Rectal exam with transrectal ultrasound
o This could show the shape and size which can be helpful for looking for cysts as
well confirm the size of the ovaries. This would be able to help the veterinarian
determine if the mare could have any potential abnormalities that could be
causing hormonal imbalances in the mare and could explain the behavior of the
other mares. Some diagnosis that this could help determine include ovarian cysts,
a possible uterine infection, or even an abnormal estrous cycle.
• Blood Chemistry Panel
o This could show the health and organ function of the horse. This could rule out
certain diseases and give a general health assessment. It could help by seeing if
the mare could have an ovarian tumor, for example, which would mean that the
testosterone level could be elevated to such a granulosa cell tumor. Another
indicator would be that high testosterone levels could indicate any underlying
