Prolonged Luteal Activity in Mares--a Semantic Quagmire

Prolonged luteal activity is one of the most formidable terminology challenges in mare reproductive biology. Prolonged luteal activity can be a result of persistence of an individual corpus luteum or the sequential development of luteal glands, each of which may have a normal life span. Luteal tissue can originate from an unovulated follicle or from an ovulation occurring during either follicular or luteal dominance. These complexities, together with ambiguous and inconsistent terminology, have resulted in confusion regarding those conditions which can be grouped broadly under the term prolonged luteal activity. Persistence of an individual corpus luteum can occur in association with severe damage to the endometrium resulting in loss of the uterine luteolytic mechanism. Spontaneous (no known uterine pathology) persistence of the corpus luteum from the follicular-phase ovulation has not been documented adequately as a clinical entity. The occurrence of ovulation towards the end of dioestrus may cause confusion about the origin of prolonged luteal activity. Such immature dioestrous corpora lutea may not respond to the release of uterine luteolysin, thereby leading to prolonged luteal activity even though the original corpus luteum regressed at the normal time. In the absence of critical monitoring of the corpus luteum (eg by ultrasound) the prolonged activity could be attributed erroneously to persistence of the corpus luteum from the follicular-phase ovulation. Pseudopregnancy is another confusing term that is sometimes used to describe persistence of the corpus luteum, especially when the luteal persistence is caused by embryonic loss after the embryo has blocked the uterine luteolytic mechanism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)