Plasma estradiol profile after administration of different types of estradiol esters in acyclic mares

Although the use of different estradiol esters has been studied extensively in hormonal protocols in cows, such information is lacking in mares. The present study aimed to assess the effects of treatment with the same doses and administration frequency of estradiol cypionate (EC), estradiol benzoate (EB) and 17β estradiol (17β) on plasma estradiol (E2) concentrations of acyclic mares and correlate the E2 profile to the endometrial edema score. Sixteen treatments were performed in 14 mares randomly divided into three groups: EB (n=5), EC (n=5) and 17β (n=6), receiving 10mg on day 0 (D0), 6mg on D1 and 4mg on D2 of estradiol benzoate (Sincrodiol®, Ouro Fino, Brazil), estradiol cypionate (E.C.P®, Zoetis, Brazil), and estradiol 17β (17βeta®, Botupharma, Brazil), respectively. Blood samples, rectal palpations and ultrasound evaluations were performed once daily, starting before the first estradiol treatment (D0) until edema disappearance or D8. Plasma E2 was quantified by radioimmunoassay. Endometrial edema was scored as: 0= lack of edema, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=high and 4=exaggerated. Mean estradiol plasma concentrations were analyzed by general linear model of variance with repeated measures. Median edema scores were compared by Kruskal Wallis followed by Mann Whitney tests while Spearman's correlation test was used to correlate E2 concentrations and edema score. Moderate to high edema was observed in all groups 24h after the first estradioladministration. Edema persisted above score 2 until D7, D5 and D4 in groups EC, EB and 17β, respectively. Higher edema was found on D2 in group EB compared to 17β, on D6 and D7 in group EC compared to 17β, and on D8 in group EC compared to EB (p≤0.05). Maximum E2 concentrations were detected on D1 in groups: EB (190±83.3 pg/mL), showing a sharp decrease from D2 to D3 (p17β on D2. Plasma E2 concentrations and edema scores were positively correlated, being moderate in groups EB and EC (EB: r=0.47; EC: r=0.45, p