Where does fertilization occur in mares?

Fertilization in mares occurs in the oviduct. This is the anatomical structure where the sperm meets the egg after ovulation. Once the mare ovulates, the released egg is captured by the fimbriae of the oviduct and fertilization takes place within this environment. The oviduct provides an optimal setting for the sperm, which travel through the female reproductive tract following mating, to interact with the egg and fertilize it.

In contrast, fertilization does not happen in the uterus, as this is where a fertilized embryo would implant and develop after the fertilization process. The vagina serves as the entry point for sperm and is not the location for fertilization. The ovary is where the eggs are produced and released, but fertilization itself does not occur there. Thus, understanding that the oviduct is the specific site of fertilization helps clarify the reproductive processes in mares.