Question 1

What is bActivate?

Accepted Answer

bActivate is a bacterial growth medium used by veterinarians to reactivate dormant Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infections in the uterus of problem mares. It enables accurate diagnosis and treatment of subclinical endometritis that standard tests fail to detect.

Question 2

Why can't my mare get in foal despite clean swabs?

Accepted Answer

70–80% of problem mares carry a hidden uterine infection caused by dormant bacteria. These bacteria enter a low-metabolic 'persister' state that evades standard uterine cultures and resists antibiotics. Standard swabs miss this infection in over 60% of cases. bActivate reactivates the bacteria so they can be accurately diagnosed and treated.

Question 3

What is subclinical endometritis and why is it hard to detect?

Accepted Answer

Subclinical endometritis is a silent uterine inflammation with no visible symptoms — no discharge, no fever, no abnormal cycles. Despite appearing normal, the inflammation prevents embryo implantation. Because bacteria are in a dormant, low-metabolic state, they are not picked up by routine swabs or culture tests.

Question 4

What is a biofilm infection in a mare's uterus?

Accepted Answer

Biofilm is a protective layer that bacteria like Streptococcus zooepidemicus build around themselves inside the uterus. This shield makes them resistant to antibiotics and undetectable by standard swabs. Biofilm infections are a major cause of chronic, treatment-resistant infertility in problem mares.

Question 5

Why do antibiotics sometimes fail to cure uterine infections in mares?

Accepted Answer

When bacteria form biofilms or enter a dormant persister state, they become resistant to antibiotics — even ones they are technically sensitive to. Antibiotics cannot penetrate the biofilm shield effectively. bActivate reactivates the bacteria first, making them metabolically active and vulnerable to targeted antibiotic treatment.

Question 6

What are the signs of a hidden uterine infection in a mare?

Accepted Answer

Key signs include: repeated failure to conceive despite breeding to a fertile stallion, recurring uterine fluid detected on ultrasound, clean swab results combined with unexplained infertility, early embryo loss, and a history of multiple failed antibiotic treatments. If your mare shows these signs, dormant bacterial infection may be the cause.

Question 7

How does bActivate work?

Accepted Answer

A veterinarian instills 10 ml of bActivate into the mare's uterus during early estrus. The growth medium reactivates dormant bacteria within 48 hours, making them detectable by standard culture. The veterinarian then prescribes targeted antibiotic treatment based on the culture result. Breeding is recommended in the following cycle.

Question 8

What pregnancy rates has bActivate achieved in clinical studies?

Accepted Answer

In a study at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute led by Dr. Kristina Lu, 83% of 64 problem mares became pregnant after bActivate treatment. At Kildangan Stud (Godolphin), 89% pregnancy rate was achieved in 19 problem mares. Copenhagen University data showed a 72% live foal rate. At Hagyard, 47% of treated mares tested positive for dormant Strep — infections that had been missed by prior standard testing.

Question 9

When should bActivate be used?

Accepted Answer

bActivate is indicated for mares that have failed to conceive despite breeding to fertile stallions, mares with recurring uterine fluid, mares with previous uterine infections, older broodmares with reduced uterine defense, and mares where antibiotics have previously failed. It is administered during estrus, approximately 5 days before intended breeding in the next cycle.

Question 10

Can bActivate be used on older mares?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Older mares (10+ years) and mares with multiple previous foals are among the most common candidates for bActivate, as uterine defence mechanisms weaken with age. Clinical studies include a significant proportion of older problem mares with long histories of infertility.

Question 11

Is bActivate safe for mares?

Accepted Answer

Yes. bActivate has been tested extensively at leading equine hospitals including Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and Kildangan Stud (Godolphin). The infusion may cause a mild, temporary uterine reaction in heavily infected mares. Breeding in the same cycle as the activation is not recommended — the mare is bred in the following cycle after targeted antibiotic treatment.

Question 12

Where can I buy bActivate in Europe?

Accepted Answer

bActivate is produced by Bojesen and Petersen Biotech ApS in Denmark and is available through authorised equine veterinary distributors across Europe and Australia. Contact us at contact@bactivate.eu or visit our shop page to order or find your nearest distributor.