Fertility
Evitex is an aqueous infusion of vitex agnus castus [chaste berry], based on purified water, with no chemical additives or inclusions. It’s unique for an herbal infusion, manufactured in a medicines licensed facility, offering an exceptional high level of quality and conformity. The infusion process takes approximately 24 hours, thus providing for maximum potency. Evitex is 100% natural, proving that nature can provide significant benefits to all equines
Vitex Agnus Castus
Vitex agnus castus, part of the vervain family of plants, also known as chaste berry and monks pepper, is a small shrub grown widely along the banks of fast flowing rivers and in the valleys of the Mediterranean and Central Asia regions. After flowering in high summer, the plant develops dark brown fruit [similar to peppercorns]. These fruits are dried and are the plant part used in the preparation of Evitex
History of Vitex Agnus Castus
As with many herbs and herb remedies, their history is long, often tied up with folklore, but nevertheless their uses are well established.
Chaste Berry [vitex agnus castus] has been described and used since approximately 400 B.C., and between then and 100 A.D. was a highly revered substance. It was described by Pliny [Greek writer and herbalist] as being used for imbalances of the female reproductive tract and to facilitate birth and milk production.
The medicine of the ancient Greeks, notably herbal medicines, reigned supreme in the western world for centuries and vitex agnus castus [Chaste Berry] was regarded as one of the most significant and important of all the herbs.
However, it was not until about 900 AD that further significant references to herbs were made, notably in the Middle East. Both in Persia and Egypt, it appears that vitex agnus castus fruits were sold in the local bazaars to cure insanity, the stroke of madness, and epilepsy etc.
The next major references to vitex agnus castus appear in the 15th century, and possibly the first reference in English [Banckes Herbal]. Banckes reference to vitex agnus castus includes: it will help keep men and women chaste. As herbalism gathered pace during this renaissance period, many references to Chaste Berry can be found throughout Europe. Gerard, one of the great herbalists of that time, encouraged the use of vitex agnus castus as a female herb, and stated that the seeds are good against pain and inflammation of the uterus.
From the 1700's to the 1900's little or no interest appears to have been shown in vitex agnus castus. In some of the great herbal publications of the time, including Potters, there is no reference to vitex agnus castus, and its popularity waned significantly.
How does Vitex Agnus Castus Work?
A large amount of research on vitex agnus castus has been carried out in Germany and according to Dr Rudolf Fritz Weiss, Chasteberry acts on the hypothalamus and pituitary. The pituitary gland regulates the other glands of the body, including the sexual hormones.
It is known that vitex agnus castus can decrease the estrogen balance in the body - one of the benefits of this being the reduction in PMS symptoms often caused by excessive estrogen. Also, an increase in fertility may be likely where hormone imbalance is being regulated by vitex agnus castus. It is known and recorded that vitex agnus castus increases progesterone production.
Known Pharmacology of Vitex Agnus Castus
Animal Studies
(1) Extracts of vitex agnus castus were shown to have progesterone like effects on mature female rats.
Ref [A]
(2) A 1961 study based on a 90 day admonition of vitex agnus castus castus to guinea pigs showed significant changes in the FSH [Follicle Stimulating Hormone] and LH [Luteinizing Hormone] and prolactin levels.
Ref [B]
(3) After administration of vitex agnus castus to rats, the evidence showed decreased lactation which the authors suggested indicated indirect evidence of the prolactin inhibiting properties of the herb.
Ref [C]
Clinical Studies
There have been many clinical studies on vitex agnus castus, some of these studies include:
Menstrual Cycle Irregularities |
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Premenstrual Syndrome |
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Latent hyperprolactinaemia/Prolactin Secretion |
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Corpus Luteum Insufficiency |
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Infertility* |
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Breast Milk Production |
In all of these areas above, vitex agnus castus has proved to be of significant benefit.
*Vitex agnus castus is proven to restore progesterone levels and prolong the elevation of the basal body temperature in the luteal phase. Ref [D]
Evitex & Equine Reproduction
It is generally recognized, that compared to other domesticated animals, horses have a lower fertility rate. With the ever increasing demand for quality, based entirely on past performances and not on fertility potential, the need for maximizing reproductive efficiency is absolutely critical. The target set by most breeders of an 80% success rate with live foals on all mares bred can be achieved with good husbandry and the right supporting products.
Evitex has a significant part to play with both the stallion and mare. One of its great benefits is that it's 100% natural, and therefore, offers a genuine safety feature to both horse/pony and groom administering the product.
It contains NO artificial hormones that can present a serious danger to not only the animal, but also the caretaker.
Evitex can play an important part.
Estrus
Evitex will help control estrus, particularly where conception has occurred and the raising of the progesterone level is required to inhibit FSH and LH production and to stop the cycling. In the knowledge that Evitex stimulates pituitary activity and with the onset of the Spring season and the increase in daylight hours, there is a strong possibility that with regular use of Evitex during the January, February and March transition period that the mares will cycle earlier to give the potential for early foals. Evitex can have a significant benefit to all mares that do not show regularly during these transition periods of January, February, March, August, September and October. Evidence suggests that regular use of Evitex during these transition months will increase the likelihood of regular cycles, thus enhancing the breeding potential and potentially extending the breeding year by six months, allowing much more choice for selective breeding.
Mare Infertility
The most important part of any breeding management program is to know when the mare is in heat. One of the major causes of low fertility is the failure to establish the heat. The single biggest problem in heat detection is if the mare is having irregular cycles. These irregularities can be due to any one of a number of factors:
Split cycles-in and out of heat every few days |
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Failure to cycle-common during the transition months [see previous section] |
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Extended estrus-again more common during the transition months, but where a mare continues to show after estrus should have ceased. |
As was stated in the previous section [Estrus], Evitex can play a significant part in regulating the estrus cycle and increase the possibility of regular cycles during the transition periods.
Another potential cause of mare infertility is hormone imbalance. This is more likely to occur during the transition months, but again with regular use of Evitex, this problem can be alleviated.
A more common problem is hormone failure. This recently established cause of infertility in the mare has resulted from ultrasound examinations, performed on the mare at 11-14 days of pregnancy, where the result clearly showed an embryo. A further ultrasound examination at 15-18 days on the same mare showed no sign of an embryo. It is thought that low progesterone production from a CL probably brought about a regress of their CL and subsequently the mare started cycling again 15-18 days breeding.
One way to help this failure is continued administration of Evitex from the preceding estrus cycle through the next breeding cycle and continue through the first 2-3 months of pregnancy. This continual supply of Evitex will ensure that the required progesterone levels are maintained.
Effects on the Stallion
Not a great deal of work has been completed on the use of vitex agnus castus on stallions. But noting the substantial effects on the reproductive function of the mares and in the knowledge that vitex agnus castus has a powerful effect on reproductive issues, research has started on the stallion function.
Most of this work is being completed in Germany, where Evitex has been used on stallions with a poor reproductive percentage and some significant and important observations have been made.
One particular case is of note where a large breeding farm with three very valuable and successful show jumping stallions were suddenly obtaining very low sperm counts, and quantities from one particular young stallion. The stud farm is a long term user of aqueous infusions of vitex agnus castus and so decided there was nothing to lose in trying it on this particular stallion.
Within 5 days of using Evitex, not only had the sperm counts completely recovered and even exceeded previous levels, but the quantity of semen had also notably increased. [See letter below, regarding this issue from the veterinarian responsible for the three stallions in question].
Effects on Moody Mare & PMS
There have been a number of studies on the effects of vitex agnus castus on women suffering from PMS and related menstrual disorders. One of the most significant was a 16 year study, involving 1,592 women, where 90% of the cases resulted in good to satisfactory results. 33% of the 90% became symptom free and 51% recognized significant improvement. A third of the women that wanted to conceive became pregnant during the treatment. Ref [E]
A further study involving 1,500 women suffering from PMS were administered vitex agnus castus. After an average of 166 days, 90% showed improvements which commenced 25 days after starting treatment. Ref [F]
There are many other studies available, but vitex agnus castus and Evitex have a positive effect on PMS.
It has been known for some time that mares suffer from PMS prior to and during their seasons. This can cause irritability, aggression and general unpleasantness in the mare and makes riding during this time almost impossible. What was once a nice, kind sweet friend can turn into an unpredictable and potentially dangerous animal.
Normal treatments have been the synthetic hormone balancers, which generally have limitations on their use and quite often have to be stopped after a period of time. Many contain banned and prohibited substances which prevent horses and ponies from competition of any kind.
Evitex, vitex agnus castus, given just before their cycle commences and continued through each season can have a dramatic effect on the mare. While there is no guarantee that it will work in all cases, there is evidence to suggest that where unsociable and aggressive behavior is brought about through PMS and hormone imbalance, vitex agnus castus can help. It is also known to have a quieting effect on rigs and over zealous stallions.
Conclusions on the Use of Evitex to Help Reproductive Problems with Mares & Stallions
Now that the world is moving back to traditional remedies, and people are becoming more responsible for their own and their animals’ health, vitex agnus castus will have an ever increasing part to play.
Because of its remarkable powers in balancing and regulating the hormones, sufferers of PMS can expect their quality of life to naturally increase. Owners, trainers, caretakers of horses and ponies can also help to improve the quality of their animals’ existence. As can be seen in this publication vitex agnus castus is effective across a broad spectrum of conditions and it is hoped that massive benefits will be gained by those who use it.
Evitex has the natural power to help all breeders of horses and ponies who might be faced with reproductive problems from infertility in the mare or stallion to irregular cycles, to unwanted and irrational behavior particularly in the mare. It also has the potential to increase sperm counts and quantities in the stallion.
Evitex also has the potential to increase the breeding year by helping to regulate the cycles during the transition phases at the beginning and end of the traditional breeding season. Evitex can be used safely and regularly to increase and maintain progesterone levels and help save new pregnancies.
Unlike its chemical counterparts, Evitex is completely safe to animal and caretaker and requires no protective clothing etc.
References
(A) Belic, I; Bergant-Dolar, J; Stucin, D; et al; [A biologically active substance from vitex agnus castus seeds] Vestnik Sloven. Chemi. Drustva. 5: pp 63-7, 1958
(B) Haller,J; Das eingreifen von planzenextraktenin die hormonellen wechselbeziehungen zwischen hypophyse und ovar, Z.Geb und Gynakol, 156: pp 247-302, 1961
(C) Winteroff, H; Gorkow, C; Behr, B; [Reduced lactation in rats following application of vitex agnus castus extract]Ó Zeitschrift fur Phytotherapie, 12(6): pp 175-179, 1991
(D) Kartnig, T; [Vitex agnus castus: A medicinal plant with indirect luteotropic action], Zeit Fur Phytotherapie, 7(4): pp 119-22, 1986
(E) Propping, D; Vitex agnus castus treatment of gynecological syndromes, Therapeutikon, 5: pp581-585, 1991
(F) Dittmar, F W; Bohnert, K; Peeters, M; [Premenstrual - Syndrome], T W Gynakologie, 5(1): pp 60-68 1992
(G) Trickey, Ruth; Website: phyto medicine: Vitex Agnus Castus -L., 2003
(H) Anoka Veterinary Services Ltd; Website: Equine Reproduction & Breeding Management, 2003
