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Reproductive and endocrine parameters of fat versus moderately conditioned mares following parturition

An increase in time to ovulation following parturition could result in economic loss if the mare cannot successfully conceive within a short time after foaling. To evaluate if a difference exists in reproductive efficiency of fat- (body condition score of 7 to 8) versus moderately-conditioned (body condition score of 5 to 6), 24 mares were allotted to and maintained in their respective group from late gestation until pregnancy was confirmed following breeding on the second post-partum estrus. Days to ovulation, interovulatory intervals, conception rates, and endocrine profiles were analyzed. Serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and leptin were assayed in order to characterize normal circulating blood concentrations. There were no differences (P>0.05) in mean interval from parturition to first ovulation (14.41 ± 1.07 and 16.18 ± 1.06 d), first to second postpartum ovulation (22.91 ± 1.07 and 24.33 ± 0.93 d), or in conception rates (91.67% and 83.33%) between the 2 groups. However, mares in moderate conditioning did lose a greater percentage of body fat upon foaling as compared to fleshier mares (0.82% versus 0.35%). Leptin concentrations were not different between the groups (P>0.05). Nevertheless, serum concentrations of T4 were higher (P<0.01) and IGF-1 concentrations lower (P<0.01) in moderate- as compared to fat-conditioned mares during times of ovulation and the interovulatory period. Results indicate that mares maintained in a fleshy body condition are not prone to reproductive dysfunction or lowered levels of fertility. The significance of the current results is important as it reassures the breeder that mares in a fatter body condition score (BCS of 7-8) should not demonstrate sub-fertility related to level of body fat. Additionally, results indicate that mares may need to be kept in a BCS of 6 in order to avoid losing enough weight upon parturition and early lactation to bring the BCS below 5. It suggests that varying amounts of circulating T4 and IGF-1 do not affect reproductive capabilities of mares in a BCS of greater than 5 following parturition.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:TEXASAandM/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/ETD-TAMU-1718
Date02 June 2009
CreatorsCavinder, Clay Alan
ContributorsVogelsang, Martha M., Forrest, David W., Gibbs, Pete G., Schmitz, David G.
Source SetsTexas A and M University
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typethesis, text
Formatelectronic, application/pdf, born digital

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