Reproductive Disorders in Donkeys: Current Evidence and Update

Abstract

Reproductive disorders in donkeys present a significant challenge to their health and welfare, impacting their roles in agriculture, conservation, and companionship. With the development of large-scale donkey farming in recent years, reproductive disorders have become a limiting factor for the expansion of the donkey population. In general, donkeys suffer from a similar array of diseases like horses, but little is known about the specificities of donkey reproductive disorders. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the pathogenesis, distribution, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of a diverse array of reproductive disorders affecting donkeys. There are similar infectious and non-infectious causes for infertility and pregnancy loss in jennies compared with mares, but a difference in disease susceptibility does exist, which may be attributed to genetic influence, pathogen specificity, the environment, and reproductive management practices. Diagnostic and treatment plans need to be tailored towards the particularities of donkey reproductive disorders to increase donkey populations and to enhance the standard of care for this species. Enhancing reproductive health in donkeys not only ensures their sustainable use but also promotes their welfare and longevity in diverse human-animal interactions.

Keywords: abortion; donkey; reproductive disease; uterine disease.

Figure 1

Perineal conformation of the jenny, note the entire vulva is below the pelvic brim (red dash line). An intrauterine tube was used to flush the uterus.

Figure 2

Purulent vaginal discharge in a jenny with bacterial endometritis. (a) Purulent discharge upon cervical manipulation; (b) appearance of low-volume uterine lavage samples (centrifuged) of jennies with bacterial endometritis.

Figure 3

Ultrasound images of hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles (HAFs) in jennies. (a) HAFs with small ecogenic dots; (b) HAFs with echogenic fibrous bands.

Figure 4

Abortion in jennies. (a) Second trimester abortion in a jenny; (b) near full-term abortion in a jenny.

Figure 5

Abortion caused by umbilical cord torsion in a jenny. (a) The aborted fetus with covering chorioallantois; (b) close-up view of the twisted umbilical cord.

Figure 6

Twin pregnancy (two adjacent embryonic vesicles) detected at 14 days in a jenny.