Effect of β-carotene Supplementation on Italian Trotter Mare Peripartum.
Abstract: When the mare's estrous cycle resumes in winter, the β-carotene content of hay is depleted. Sixty Italian trotter mares were randomly assigned to a Control or a Treated Group. Treated Group received 1g/d synthetic β-carotene for 15 days from parturition. Blood samples collected at parturition and on days 5, 10 and 15 after partum were analysed for β-carotene, vitamins A, progesterone, 17 β-estradiol, the energy parameters (glucose, cholesterol, NEFA), the protein profile (total protein, albumin, urea) and LDH. Some changes in these measures were attributable to treatment, which significantly affected β-carotene and 17 β-estradiol concentrations. A significant effect was also found on the resumption of estrous activity (χ(2) test=P<0.052).
Publication Date: 2010-04-21 PubMed ID: 24833972PubMed Central: PMC4013952DOI: 10.1294/jes.21.1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates the impact of β-carotene supplementation on certain biological parameters and estrous activity resumption in Italian trotter mares during the peripartum period — the time around childbirth.
Research Design and Procedures
- The study involved 60 Italian trotter mares which were randomly divided into two groups – the Control Group and the Treated Group. The Control Group was not given any β-carotene supplement while the Treated Group received 1g/d synthetic β-carotene for 15 days starting from parturition.
- Blood samples collected at parturition and on days 5, 10, and 15 post-partum were tested for various parameters. They include β-carotene, vitamins A, progesterone, 17 β-estradiol (a form of estrogen), certain energy parameters (like glucose, cholesterol, NEFA), the protein profile (comprising of total protein, albumin, urea) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase: an enzyme involved in energy production).
- The resumption of estrous activity was also monitored as part of the study.
Findings from the Study
- The research indicates that the β-carotene supplementation leads to statistically significant changes in β-carotene and 17 β-estradiol concentrations in the Treated Group compared to the Control Group.
- The supplementation also had a noticeable effect on the resumption of estrous activity in the mares receiving the β-carotene supplement. Despite statistical significance being narrowly missed (with a P-value of 0.052 slightly higher than the typical 0.05 threshold), this effect implies that β-carotene supplementation might potentially influence the resumption of reproductive cycles in post-partum mares.
Implications of the Research
- This study provides a scientific basis suggesting that β-carotene supplementation might influence certain hormonal and metabolic parameters, as well as reproductive activity in post-partum mares.
- Particularly, given β-carotene’s role in reproductive health, its supplementation may have significant implications for equine breeding and health management practices, especially for the mares whose estrous cycle commences in winter when the β-carotene content of feeding hay is low.
Cite This Article
APA
Trombetta MF, Accorsi PA, Falaschini A.
(2010).
Effect of β-carotene Supplementation on Italian Trotter Mare Peripartum.
J Equine Sci, 21(1), 1-6.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.21.1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Food, agro-Engineering, Physical, agro-Economic and Landscape Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, I-60131, Ancona, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology and Animal Production, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology and Animal Production, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy.
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Del Prete C, Vastolo A, Pasolini MP, Cocchia N, Montano C, Cutrignelli MI. Effects of maternal dietary supplementation with antioxidants on clinical status of mares and their foal. BMC Vet Res 2024 Sep 11;20(1):404.
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