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Topic:Broodmares
Broodmares are adult female horses that are used for breeding purposes. They play a vital role in equine reproduction, contributing to the continuation of specific bloodlines and the development of desirable traits in offspring. The management of broodmares involves various aspects, including nutrition, health monitoring, and reproductive care, to ensure successful conception, gestation, and foaling. Horses, as a broader category, include both males and females and encompass a wide range of breeds and disciplines. The study of broodmares and horses encompasses reproductive physiology, genetic considerations, and husbandry practices. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the management, reproductive health, and genetic aspects of broodmares, as well as general equine care and breeding strategies.
Psyllium supplementation is associated with changes in the fecal microbiota of horses. Prophylactic supplementation of psyllium husk is recommended to enhance passage of ingested sand from the gastrointestinal tracts of horses. We hypothesized that psyllium supplementation would increase fecal sand passage and favorably alter bacterial populations in the hindgut. Six yearlings and six mature mares were fed a psyllium supplement in the diet daily for seven days. Voluntarily-voided feces were collected over the course of 29 days, prior, during, and after treatment. Feces were analyzed for acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent insoluble ash analyses. Microbial DNA was also...
Idiopathic multifocal myocardial atrophy with fibrosis and fatty infiltration involving Purkinje fibres in a 13-year-old Arabian broodmare: Histopathological features. Myocardial atrophy with fibrosis and fatty infiltration involving the cardiac conduction system is relatively unusual in horses. We herein report of such a case in a 13-year-old Arabian broodmare that had spontaneously died on a paddock. An autopsy revealed multifocal myocardial atrophy with concomitant fibrosis and fatty infiltration in both the ventricles and interventricular septum. The Purkinje fibres in the ventricles and interventricular septum were surrounded by thick fibrous or adipose tissues adjacent to atrophic myocardial cells. Myocardial fibrosis and fatty infiltration were likely...
Dynamics of the Inbreeding Coefficient and Homozygosity in Thoroughbred Horses in Russia. The Thoroughbred (TB) horse has hugely impacted the development of horse breeding around the world. This breed has unique genetic qualities due to having had a closed studbook for approximately 300 years. In Russia, TBs have been bred since the second half of the 18th century. Here, we analyzed the genetic diversity and the inbreeding level in TB horses (n = 9680) for the period from 1990 to 2018 using polymorphisms of 17 microsatellite loci. We found that the genetic structure of the TB breed in Russia is represented by 100 alleles of panel STR (short tandem repeat) loci and has been stable f...
Morphological Characteristics of the Placenta and Umbilical Cord of Arabian Mares Foaling in the United Arab Emirates. A total of 127 normal placentas from Arabian mares resident in the United Arab Emirates were examined. The mean linear dimensions of the placenta were, on average, 84% of those previously recorded for the placentas of the Thoroughbred. Significant differences in the size of the allantochorion between primigravid and multiparous mares were seen only in the linear dimensions of the body portion. The pregnant horn was more commonly on the right than left side of the uterus (P = .01; 74/127; 58%). Cord attachment was primarily at the base of the two placental horns (112/127; 88%), with the remain...
Sudden Death by Ovarian Hemorrhage and Hemoperitoneum in a Pregnant Miniature Mare. This report describes a case of sudden death of a pregnant miniature mare due to an acute ovarian hemorrhage leading to fatal hemoperitoneum. The miniature horse was a 12-year-old female, 60 days pregnant, with a body condition score of 7 (1-9), with a history of obesity and laminitis. Necropsy revealed hemoperitoneum due to an ovarian capsule rupture and hemorrhage after a physiological supplementary ovulation and luteinization. Ovarian rupture after ovulation is uncommon in mares.
Motility and Fertility Evaluation of Thawed Frozen Stallion Semen After 24 Hours of Cooled Storage. Breeding mares with cryopreserved semen requires specialized equipment for storage and thawing and more intensive mare management. The objectives of this study were (1) evaluate the longevity of frozen stallion semen once it had been thawed, extended, and maintained at 5°C for 48 hours in a passive cooling container, and (2) determine fertility potential of frozen semen that had been thawed, extended, and used to inseminate mares after 24 hours of cooled storage. Eight ejaculates were collected and aliquots were cooled in either INRA96 and CryoMax LE minus cryoprotectant at a concentration ...
Horse Welfare During Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) Production. Collection of blood from pregnant mares for extraction of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) is a critical but relatively unknown and poorly regulated practice in the countries in which it occurs. Equine chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone that is widely used to enhance reproductive performance and management of dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs kept under intensive housing systems. eCG is extracted from the blood of brood mares between days 40-120 of gestation. Although alternatives have been sought, there is currently no efficacious replacement, natural or synthetic, for eCG. Re...
Phosphorus excretion by mares post-lactation. Across the equine literature, estimates of true P digestibility range from -23% to 79%. This large range cannot be explained by differences in P intake or phytate-P intake alone. However, differences in endogenous P secretion into the GI tract may explain the variation. In horses, excess absorbed P is not excreted in the urine but is re-secreted into the GI tract, increasing faecal P and leading to estimates of low P digestibility. Thus, accurate estimates of P digestibility can only be obtained if absorbed P is retained in the horse. The objective of this study was to examine P digestibility ...
Uterine Inertia due to Severe Selenium Deficiency in a Parturient Mare. A 12-year-old, multiparous, parturient show jumper embryo-recipient mare presented at a veterinary hospital, seven days past her due date and with a dilated cervix, for evaluation of mild colic. Gastrointestinal or metabolic abnormalities and fetal maldispositions were excluded as causes of dystocia, and a diagnosis of uterine inertia was made. There was no uterine response to oxytocin treatment. A live filly was delivered via C-section, and severe selenium deficiency was eventually confirmed in the mare, her offspring, and in the herd of origin. The filly was born with severe white muscle dis...
Preliminary heritability of complete rotation large colon volvulus in Thoroughbred broodmares. Large colon volvulus (LCV) is a life-threatening form of colic that occurs when the large colon rotates 360° or more on its axis, resulting in colonic distention and ischaemia. Any horse can suffer from LCV, but the risk is greatest for periparturient Thoroughbred broodmares; the objective of this study was to estimate the heritability of LCV in these horses. The criteria for classification as an LCV case were being a Thoroughbred broodmare from one of three farms in central Kentucky and having had surgical correction for LCV. Controls were identified as Thoroughbred broodmares present on the...
Effect of the Interval From Prostaglandin F2alpha Treatment to Ovulation on Reproductive Efficiency Rates in a Commercial Equine Embryo Transfer Program. In the present study, 2.228 cycles of 180 Polo Argentino donor mares from an embryo transfer program in Argentina were examined to evaluate the effects of: (1) Interval from Prostaglandin F2alpha analog treatment to ovulation (ITO) on embryo recovery rate (ERR); (2) ITO on number of embryos per flushing (EPF); (3) ITO on multiple ovulation (MO) rate; (4) ITO from donor mare on pregnancy rate (PR) in recipient mares. Mares were inseminated with fresh semen from 31 fertile stallions in the induced estrus. Embryo flushing was performed 7-8 days postovulation. Following embryo flushing, donor mar...
Partial arytenoidectomy in 14 standing horses (2013-2017). To report our experience with partial arytenoidectomy in sedated standing horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Fourteen client-owned adult horses. Methods: The medical records (2013-2017) of horses treated with unilateral partial arytenoidectomy while standing and sedated were reviewed. Demographics, endoscopic findings, previous treatments, and outcome after surgery were investigated and recorded. Results: Thirteen horses had unilateral left-sided recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) and 1 horse had bilateral RLN. Five horses had a previous failed prosthetic laryngoplasty. Left-side...
Effect of dietary supplementation with long-chain n-3 fatty acids during late gestation and early lactation on mare and foal plasma fatty acid composition, milk fatty acid composition, and mare reproductive variables. The effects of dietary marine-derived n-3 fatty acids (FA) on mare milk and mare and foal plasma FA, postpartum ovarian follicular growth and prostaglandin concentrations were evaluated. Sixty days prior to expected foaling dates, mares were assigned to one of three diets: corn oil (CORN, n = 6), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) diet (D; 12.64 g/d, n = 7), or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA (ED; 8.84 g EPA, 10.43 g DHA/d, n = 7). Milk and plasma were collected for FA analysis. Follicular data were recorded through the first postpartum ovulation. Post-ovulation serial blood samp...
Successful embryo transfer from Hokkaido native pony after artificial insemination with frozen semen. There has been no report of equine embryo transfer in Japan for the last 24 years. Our objective was to establish an effective protocol for embryo transfer in domestic horse. A Hokkaido native pony was bred by deep-horn artificial insemination with frozen semen from a Connemara pony. Embryo collection was performed using a non-surgical method on day 7. Two embryos were obtained from three flushes (67% recovery) and were transferred fresh into crossbred recipient mares. Both recipient mares were diagnosed pregnant (100% pregnancy rate) 5 days after embryo transfer and had normal progesterone le...
Relationship between anti-Müllerian hormone and fertility in the mare. The objectives of this study were to evaluate; 1) the stability of measured serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations in samples after multiple freeze-thaw cycles, 2) the repeatability of AMH concentrations within mares during the same breeding season as well as across breeding seasons, and 3) the relationship between serum AMH concentrations and fertility (measured as first cycle pregnancy rates) in thoroughbred mares. For the first aim, AMH concentrations (n = 9) were examined across four freeze-thaw cycles with no significant change in measured AMH concentrations. For the second ...
Effect of Starch Source in Pelleted Concentrates on Fecal Bacteria in Prepartum and Postpartum Mares. Dietary starch source has been shown to affect fecal bacterial communities of horses fed minimally processed cereal grains. However, processing may increase foregut starch digestibility, reducing effects of starch source on fecal bacterial communities. This study aimed to determine the effect of starch source in pelleted concentrates on fecal Lactobacillus spp., amylolytic bacteria, and cellulolytic bacteria in broodmares mares, during the prepartum and postpartum period. Thoroughbred mares (n = 18) were paired by last breeding date then randomly assigned to either an oat-based or a corn and ...
Multivariable analysis to determine risk factors associated with early pregnancy loss in thoroughbred broodmares. Early pregnancy loss (EPL) between days 15-65 after breeding has been shown to occur in 7.9% of equine pregnancies with substantial economical, welfare and safety implications. Whilst maternal age has been recognised as an important risk factor in relation to the incidence of EPL, few other risk factors have been conclusively identified. Further, multivariable data analysis of risk factors for EPL is sparse. A prospective cohort investigation of thoroughbred broodmares in the United Kingdom was conducted over the 2013 and 2014 breeding seasons. Information relating to 28 factors including mare...
Progressive habituation to separation alleviates the negative effects of weaning in the mother and foal. Early and definitive separation between offspring and their mothers has negative consequences on behavioral and physiological responses. This study compared sudden and definitive weaning (Sudd group, N = 16) and weaning involving progressive habituation to separation using a fence line during the month preceding definitive separation (Prog group, N = 18). The impact of these two methods was assessed in both foals and their mothers through behavioral and biological parameters, including salivary cortisol, telomere length and blood transcriptomes. On the day of definitive separation, Pro...
Placental function and structure at term is altered in broodmares fed with cereals from mid-gestation. Feeding pregnant broodmares with cereal concentrates has been shown to increase maternal insulin resistance and affect foal metabolism in the short and long-term. These effects are likely to be mediated by the placenta. Here, we investigated feto-placental biometry and placental structure and function at term in mares fed with or without cereals concentrates. From 7 months of gestation, 22 multiparous mares were fed forage only (group F (n = 12)) or received forage and cracked barley (group B (n = 10)) until foaling. Foals and placentas were weighed and placental samples were collected...
Genetic diversity and population structure of Polish Arabian horses assessed through breeding and microsatellite data. Polish Arabian horses are one of the most important populations of this breed in the world. Their post-war history can be divided into two periods, with the dominant role of state studs until 1989, and the increasing significance of private breeding in the next years. The goal of the study was to evaluate genetic diversity and structure of the population under a new breeding policy. The analyses of breeding and microsatellite data from 1996 to 2012 provide a coherent picture of the population with constant flow of horses only in one direction from state to private studs. An increase in the num...
Foaling rate of mares that were rebred after pregnancy loss in Hidaka, Japan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate foaling rates of mares that were rebred after the pregnancy loss in same reproductive season and to examine factors influencing them in Hidaka, Japan. The study included 82 Thoroughbred mares that had experienced pregnancy loss. The foaling rate of the mares that were rebred after pregnancy loss was 57.3%. The foaling rate decreased as the period until detection of pregnancy loss increased. Aging and lower body condition score of mares decreased the foaling rate.
Identification of Reference Genes for Analysis of microRNA Expression Patterns in Equine Chorioallantoic Membrane and Serum. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have important posttranscriptional regulatory abilities, and there is considerable interest in evaluating their expression patterns in different pathophysiological states. The most common method of quantifying miRNA expression is quantitative reverse transcription PCR; however, the identification of tissue-specific and species-specific reference miRNA is a prerequisite for miRNA expression analysis. Currently, no reference genes have been described for evaluating miRNA expression in equine serum and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) during pregnancy. The aim of the present stud...
Reproductive careers of Thoroughbred broodmares before and after surgical correction of ≥360 degree large colon volvulus. Limited data exist describing broodmare longevity and reproductive efficiency after surgical correction of ≥360 degree large colon volvulus (° LCV). Objective: Compare career duration and foals delivered for broodmares before and after ≥360° LCV surgery. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Broodmares registered with The Jockey Club that had surgical correction of ≥360° LCV and survived to hospital discharge at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2015 were included. Information was collected from the hospital's medical data base and The Jockey Cl...
Advanced age in mares affects endometrial secretion of arachidonic acid metabolites during equine subclinical endometritis. Even if mares continue to breed up to an advanced age, in aging mares reproductive failure is quite common. Subclinical endometritis, which occurs more often in aging mares than in younger counterparts, may cause prolongation or shortening of the inter-estrus period or the corpus luteum lifespan. We hypothesized that during subclinical endometritis the secretion of selected arachidonic acid metabolites may differ in aging mares compared to younger females. To verify this thesis, ex vivo organ cultures of endometrium were established with subsequent measurements of concentrations of prostaglan...
The relationship between the welfare quality and stress index in working and breeding horses. The aim of this observational study was to investigate if a relationship exists between the calculated overall individual welfare score (as an indicator of the welfare quality) and the neutrophil:lymphocyte (N:L) ratio (as a stress indicator) in working (draught) and reproduction horses (breeding stallions and broodmares), in two different seasons. The welfare of the horses was assessed by a protocol which included health and behavioural parameters. An individual welfare score was computed, the total and differential WBC count was established and the N:L ratio was calculated for each of the 14...
Artificially extended photoperiod administered to pre-partum mares via blue light to a single eye: Observations on gestation length, foal birth weight and foal hair coat at birth. In seasonally breeding animals, photoperiod perception is crucial for timing of important physiological events. In the horse, long day photoperiod influences the onset of ovulation and cyclicity, shedding of the heavier winter coat and the timing of parturition. In this compilation of studies, conducted across three breeding seasons and two countries, the impact of artificially extended day length was investigated on gestation length, foal birth weight and foal hair coat at birth. The light therapy was administered to pre-partum mares via mobile head worn masks which provided short wavelength ...
Frequent occurrence of nonprimate hepacivirus infections in Thoroughbred breeding horses – A cross-sectional study for the occurrence of infections and potential risk factors. Recently, several new hepaciviruses have been identified of which the nonprimate hepacivirus (NPHV) - the closest relative to hepatitis C virus (HCV) discovered to date - is highly prevalent in horses. However, potential risk factors for the transmission of NPHV among horses remain still unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of NPHV infections in Thoroughbreds in northern and western Germany and to identify potential risk factors associated with NPHV infections. Using a cross-sectional study design, a total of 733 serum samples from Thoroughbred broo...
