Mare Anatomy
Ovaries – The paired ovaries of a sexually mature mare are hard, smooth & bean-shaped and on average 5-8 cm in length and 2-4 cm in thickness, but exact size, shape and consistency vary with the mares’ estrous cycle. The ovary is surrounded by the outer connective tissue tunica albuginea. Deep to the albuginea is the ovarian medulla which contains the lymphatics, nerves & vasculature of the ovary. During the first 2-3 years of themare’s life the ovary matures, and the germinal cells of the ovary become displaced into the center of the ovary forming the ovarian cortex. The cortex contains the follicles and corpus luteum. This rearrangement of cells within the ovary results in the formation of the funnel-shaped ovulation fossa from which the mature follicle is ovulated only. This arrangement of the ovary is different from all other domestic mammals. The mesovarian is a serosal membrane suspending the ovaries from the dorsal wall of the abdomen. The ovaries lie caudal to the kidneys and ventral to the lumbar vertebrae. The proper ligament of the ovary is a band of connective tissue connecting the ovary to the uterine horn.
At birth, the ovaries contain thousands of ova. At about 2 years of age the filly is sexually mature, and sacs develop around the ova, filling with fluid to form follicles .
Ovaries are also responsible for producing the female sex hormones, estrogen & progesterone.
Uterine Tubes – the uterine tube or oviducts convey the ova from the ovary to the uterus. They are about 20-30 cm long and take a torturous course within the mesosalphinx, the tissue that suspends the uterine tube within the peritoneum.
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