A review of twinning in horses and the possible therapeutic value of supplemental progesterone to prevent abortion of equine twin fetuses the latter half of the gestation period.

This research focuses on equine (horse) twinning, the associated risk of abortion, and how supplemental progesterone might be used as prevention during later stages of pregnancy. The initial findings suggest that this hormone treatment could hold promise for preventing twin abortions in mares.

Overview of the Research

The research involves an extensive review of existing literature and studies on the phenomenon of equine twinning and the risk of spontaneous abortion associated with it during the gestation period. This is a particularly important area of study within equine reproduction research due to potential health risks and complications that twin pregnancies can present for equine mothers.

• The main aim of this research was to examine if the administration of supplemental progesterone could provide therapeutic value in preventing abortion of twin horse fetuses, particularly in the latter half of the gestation period.

Methods and Findings

Three instances were studied where mares approaching mid-gestation were exhibiting signs that suggested a high risk of aborting twin foals.

• In these cases, supplementary progesterone was administered to the mares.
• The results were positive, as all three mares were able to successfully carry at least one of the twins to term.
• In each case, one of the twins was born alive and viable, while the other fetus had ‘mummified’ within the womb and was delivered at the same time as its sibling.

Significance of the Research

The use of exogenous progesterone is potentially a significant advancement in improving the survival rates of equine twin foals.

• The findings suggest that it might be possible to use progesterone supplements as a form of therapeutic treatment to prevent the abortion of twin horses, especially during the latter stages of pregnancy.
• This could represent a significant tool for reducing mortality rates in twin foals and increasing the likelihood of successful twin pregnancies in horses.

In summary, this research provides a promising start towards a potential new treatment path in equine reproduction. However, more extensive studies would be required to validate and optimize its use.