Blood metabolite profiles of broodmares and foals.

This research studied the blood profiles of broodmares and their foals to understand the differences in their metabolic products, and to see how dietary supplements affect these profiles in pregnant and nursing mares.

Study of Serum Amino Acid Profiles

• Researchers observed and studied serum amino acid profiles and other serum features in both broodmares and their foals.
• Foals had significantly higher levels of serum leucine, threonine, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, proline, and tyrosine, along with glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, and phosphorus, when compared with mares.
• On the contrary, foals had notably lesser quantities of serum histidine, glycine, cystine, taurine, protein, and urea nitrogen.

Use of Dietary Supplements in Broodmares

• Researchers supplemented the diets of pregnant and lactating broodmares with lysine and/or methionine to examine the changes such supplements might introduce to the serum amino acid profiles.
• Changes in the concentrations of 19 amino acids along with ammonia were observed from the preliminary bleeding period (12 weeks prepartum) to the following bleeding period (seven weeks prepartum) in mares that were given methionine supplements.

Effects of Feeding on Amino Acid Levels

• The researchers collected blood samples in 2-hour intervals post feeding and recorded fluctuations in serum amino acid levels during the 19 hours after feeding.
• After an initial rise, a significant decrease in serum amino acid levels occurred, suggesting that the timing of feeding and testing was a consequential factor in the outcomes.

To conclude, the study provides valuable data on the differences in blood serum profiles between mares and foals and shows that changes in diet, specifically the addition of protein supplements, can have a direct impact on these profiles. This information will be useful in making nutritional management decisions for broodmares and their foals.