I’m curious – how many of you use an oxytocin protocol every time you use frozen? Do you use the lower dose? I have only every used oxytocin with a fluid clearance issue, but it seems many breeders swear by using it more often. Thoughts?
We do. Every time. We will also use it on older mares or mares that don’t seem to settle for no apparent reason.
Do you use the lower dose? I have only every used oxytocin with a fluid clearance issue, but it seems many breeders swear by using it more often. Thoughts?
The lower dose (10 IU every six hours pre ovulation and 20 IU ever six hours post ovulation) mimics a more natural release of oxytocin if the mare were being teased and bred live cover. It results in a better and more efficient clearance of fluid. Think of a sponge filled with water. When giving the higher dosage of oxytocin, it’s like grabbing it in the middle and squeezing just as hard as you can. You’ll squeeze out some of the water, but the water on either end of the sponge will not be squeezed out. Using the lower dose oxytocin is like grabbing the sponge gently at each end and slowly squeezing it towards the center. It results in a more complete removal of fluid.
it is hypothesized that the low dosages oxytocin also activates some receptors in the mare’s uterus that may influence pregnancy. Who knows? Lots of discussions with some of the top researchers on the subject, but no research papers…yet <smile>.
Oh, and we end up with LOTS of reproductively challenged mares every year and have good results with something so simple and inexpensive!
Hope the above helps!
Kathy St.Martin
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I use an oxytocin protol with EVERY frozen semen breeding. Even if there is no fluid apparent on the ultrasound, I still use it; it is cheap and won’t cause any problems!
Ditto. I follow the oxytocin protocol with all frozen and many of the fresh breedings.
Thanks for the resonses. Are you all using the Equine Repro protocol or when are you using it? Are you doing a flush as well?
[QUOTE=genevieveg17;3973456]
Ditto. I follow the oxytocin protocol with all frozen and many of the fresh breedings.[/QUOTE]
How much oxytoccin do you administer before and after? I heard there are some variables with that. My vet uses 1 and a half cc for both. I’m getting confused, ugh.
[QUOTE=ljshorses;3974142]
How much oxytoccin do you administer before and after? I heard there are some variables with that. My vet uses 1 and a half cc for both. I’m getting confused, ugh.[/QUOTE]
If you are using the protocol we recommend, you will be using 10 IU before ovulation and 20 IU after ovulation. That usually, here in North America, is 1/2 cc for 10 IU and 1 cc for 20 IU, but check the bottle of Oxytocin before running with that information. Read myh post above about what happens when you give too much oxytocin…it’s just not as effective. There is an article on our website at: http://www.equine-reproduction.com/articles/oxytocin.htm
It explains the protocol we recommend and why we recommend it.
Hope that helps!
Kathy St.Martin
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I think I am going to insist my vet do this, I need a printable flashcard I can laminate. LOLOLOL!!
Thanks!
I have never used Oxytocin pre ovulation before and would like to try it this year. When do you start?
Bumping this up…Hoping Kathy will see it 
I use it also whenever I have a mare that isn’t getting pregnant and it works a lot of the time. It’s a pain to give sometimes but really worth it.
[QUOTE=railmom;4019905]
Bumping this up…Hoping Kathy will see it :)[/QUOTE]
There is an article on our website at: http://www.equine-reproduction.com/a...s/oxytocin.htm It goes through the protocol in more depth, as well as dosage and timing.
Hope that helps!
