P1130053

1.102). The echogenicity of lochia slowly decreascs over the first few wecks of the postpartum period. Immedi-ately after parturition the tissue componcnts and in-flammatory products contained in lochial secretions cause the latter to contain floccular echoes. These re-flections can become very intensive in cases of viscous, purulent lochia. Sometimes the luminal epithelium also produces hyperedioic reflectioas (Fig. 1.103). The superficial laycr of the uterine wali forms a narrow 1 to 2 mm, very hypoechoic seam which lines the uterine lumen and spreads between the endometrial folds.

Only few of the puerperal mares which have secre-tions in their uteri during foal hcat at the timc of mating conceiye (Fig. 1.104). In contrasł, mares that have a solid uterine image at the same time havc a much better prognosis (McKinnon et al. 1988). In terms of practical stud management this means that only mares which do not show any ultrasonic evidence of intra-uterine fluid should be bred at foal heat.