Analysis of post-partum fertility in mares on a thoroughbred stud in southern Victoria.
Abstract: This project surveys the reproductive performance of 154 foaling Thoroughbred mares on a commercial stud in southern Victoria. Of these, 96 were served on foal heat (FHS) and 58 were served at a subsequent prostaglandin-induced oestrus (PGS). The PGS group of mares performed more favourably in all aspects except the foaling-to-conception interval where there was a 9.4 day advantage to the FHS group. The first service conception rate in the FHS group was 47.9% compared with 55.2% in PGS mares. Second heat period conception rates were 46% vs 57.7% for FHS and PGS mares, respectively. Overall conception rates at the end of the breeding season were 83.3% in the FHS group and 89.7% in the PGS group. Pregnancy losses before day 45 and after day 45 were 10% and 9.3% in FHS mares and 3.9% and 3.6% in the PGS mares. Served oestrous periods per conception numbered 1.7 and 1.4 in the FHS and PGS groups, respectively.
Publication Date: 1991-09-01 PubMed ID: 1953565DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1991.tb03265.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research studied the reproductive performance of Thoroughbred mares after giving birth, comparing those who bred during their first post-partum heat cycle (FHS) and those who bred after a prostaglandin-induced cycle (PGS). The study determined that mares bred after a prostaglandin-induced cycle generally performed better despite a slightly longer interval from birth to conception.
Study Design
- This research observed the post-partum fertility of 154 Thoroughbred mares in a stud farm in Southern Victoria.
- The mares were divided into two groups for the study: 96 mares were served (bred) during their first post-partum heat cycle (FHS group) and 58 served after a prostaglandin-induced oestrus (PGS group).
Results and Findings
- The study found that in general, the PGS group of mares showed better reproductive performance in most aspects compared to the FHS group, except for the foaling-to-conception interval which was shorter by 9.4 days in the FHS group.
- In terms of conception rates, 47.9% of the mares in the FHS group conceived at first service, in comparison to 55.2% in the PGS group. Upon subsequent heat periods, conception rates were 46% for the FHS group and 57.7% for the PGS group.
- At the end of the breeding season, the overall conception rates were 83.3% and 89.7% for the FHS and PGS groups, respectively.
- Evaluating pregnancy losses before day 45 and after day 45, 10% and 9.3% of the FHS group experienced losses compared to significantly lower rates of 3.9% and 3.6% in the PGS group.
- The study also showed that the number of oestrus periods per conception was fewer in the PGS group, with 1.4 compared to 1.7 in the FHS group, indicating a higher efficiency of PGS breeding.
Conclusion
- The research concludes that breeding Thoroughbred mares during a prostaglandin-induced cycle (PGS) generally resulted in better fertility outcomes compared to breeding during the first post-partum heat cycle (FHS), despite the slightly longer interval between giving birth and conception.
- The findings suggest that using prostaglandin to induce oestrus for breeding purposes could be beneficial in improving the fertility of Thoroughbred mares.
Cite This Article
APA
Lowis TC, Hyland JH.
(1991).
Analysis of post-partum fertility in mares on a thoroughbred stud in southern Victoria.
Aust Vet J, 68(9), 304-306.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1991.tb03265.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinic and Hospital, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Estrus / drug effects
- Estrus / physiology
- Female
- Fertilization / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Postpartum Period
- Pregnancy
- Prostaglandins / pharmacology
- Time Factors
- Victoria
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Huhtinen M, Reilas T, Katila T. Recovery rate and quality of embryos from mares inseminated at the first post-partum oestrus. Acta Vet Scand 1996;37(3):343-50.
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