Effects of a protein deficient diet and urea supplementation on lactating mares.

This research article studies the impact of a low-protein diet and the supplementation of urea on lactating mares, and observes that such a dietary approach can lead to weight loss in mares and poor growth rates in foals.

Experimental Setup and Measures

• The researchers conducted their experiment using six lactating mares. The animals were divided into two groups, with one group being fed a low-protein diet and the other group receiving the same diet but supplemented with urea.
• This dietary regime was followed over a period of 71 days. The researchers monitored several parameters during this timeframe such as the amount of food consumed by the mares, the intake of milk by their foals, the composition of milk, changes in the mares’ weights, and plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) levels.
• The growth rate of the foals was also measured as a crucial element of the study.

Findings of the Research

• One of the key findings of the study was that the mares could not consume enough of either diet to meet their nitrogen requirements. Consequently, all the mares experienced weight loss.
• In terms of urea supplementation, the research found that the addition of urea significantly increased PUN levels for both mares and foals. This also resulted in a notable increase in urea concentrations in the milk.
• Another crucial finding was that supplementation with urea decreased the mares’ feed intake while increasing their weight loss significantly.
• The measurement of protein in the milk of mares from both diets was low. The study also found that the amount of milk consumed by all the foals had reduced, leading to poor growth rates.

Implications of the Research

• These findings reveal that a low protein diet, even with urea supplementation, cannot meet the nitrogen needs of lactating mares. The insufficient dietary intake and weight loss in mares suggest potential health risks associated with such a diet.
• Additionally, poor growth rates in foals due to reduced milk intake indicate that a low protein diet and urea supplementation negatively impact the health and development of young horses.
• This study is important for equine health management, especially for diet formulation for lactating mares and their foals.