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Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2019; 54(5); 772-778; doi: 10.1111/rda.13422

Effects of dietary L-arginine supplementation to early pregnant mares on conceptus diameter-Preliminary findings.

Abstract: The importance of the amino acid L-arginine (ARG) for conceptus growth and litter size has been demonstrated in various species. L-arginine is part of embryo-derived polyamines, a substrate for nitric oxide synthase and stimulates protein synthesis by the embryo. In the present study, we have investigated whether dietary L-arginine supplementation stimulates early conceptus growth in mares. Warmblood mares with singleton pregnancies received either an arginine-supplemented diet (approximately 0.0125% of body weight, n = 12) or a control diet (n = 11) from days 15 to 45 after ovulation. Diameter of the embryonic vesicle (days 14, 17, 20 of pregnancy) and size of the embryo respective foetus (length and maximal diameter, days 25-45 of pregnancy at 5-day intervals) were determined by transrectal ultrasound. At foaling, weight and size of the foal and the placenta were determined. Blood for determination of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and progestin concentrations was collected repeatedly. Neither eCG nor progestin concentration in plasma of mares differed between groups at any time. No effects of arginine treatment on diameter of the embryonic vesicle between days 14 and 20 of pregnancy were detected. Diameter of the embryo/foetus on days 40 to 45 of pregnancy strongly tended to be enhanced by arginine supplementation (p = 0.06). Weight and size of neither the foal nor placenta at birth differed between groups. In conclusion, L-arginine supplementation was without negative effects on early equine embryos and may support embryonic growth at the beginning of placentation.
© 2019 The Authors. Reproduction in Domestic Animals Published by Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2019-03-08 PubMed ID: 30809848PubMed Central: PMC6850369DOI: 10.1111/rda.13422Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates the impact of dietary L-arginine supplements on the early conceptus growth in mares. Preliminary findings indicate that the supplementation might enhance the diameter of the embryo or foetus on days 40 to 45 of pregnancy without any negative implications.

Objective and Methodology

  • The research sought to understand whether dietary L-arginine supplements could potentially stimulate early growth of conceptus (embryo or fetus and associated membrane) in mares. The basis for this hypothesis was the proven role of L-arginine, an amino acid, in the growth of the embryo and litter size in various species.
  • A total of 23 Warmblood mares in early stages of singleton pregnancies were selected for this study. They were divided into two groups: a control group of 11 mares and a test group of 12 mares. The test group was given an L-arginine-supplemented diet from days 15 to 45 post-ovulation.
  • Using transrectal ultrasound, the size of the embryonic vesicle on days 14, 17, and 20 of pregnancy, and size of the embryo or fetus from days 25 to 45 at five-day intervals, were recorded. In addition, at foaling, the weight and size of the foal, and the placenta were documented.
  • To monitor the potential effects of the supplemented diet on hormonal balance, plasma equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and progestin concentrations were routinely checked in the blood of the mares from both groups.

Findings of the Study

  • The eCG and progestin concentrations in the plasma of the mares were found to be consistent across both groups, indicating that L-arginine supplementation did not affect these hormonal levels.
  • The diameter of the embryonic vesicle between days 14 and 20 of pregnancy displayed no significant change due to the L-arginine treatment.
  • The diameter of embryo or foetus from days 40 to 45 of pregnancy indicated a strong trend towards increase due to L-arginine supplementation. However, this finding was not statistically significant with a p-value of 0.06.
  • The different diets did not seem to affect the weight or size of the foal and the placenta at birth.

Conclusion

Even though the effects were not statistically significant, L-arginine supplementation seemed to have a positive effect on embryonic growth during the initial stages of placentation, with no negative outcomes noted. Further studies with larger sample sizes might provide more definitive results.

Cite This Article

APA
Aurich J, Köhne M, Wulf M, Nagel C, Beythien E, Gautier C, Zentek J, Aurich C. (2019). Effects of dietary L-arginine supplementation to early pregnant mares on conceptus diameter-Preliminary findings. Reprod Domest Anim, 54(5), 772-778. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.13422

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 5
Pages: 772-778

Researcher Affiliations

Aurich, Jörg
  • Department of Small Animals and Horses, Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Köhne, Martin
  • Department of Small Animals and Horses, Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Wulf, Manuela
  • Graf Lehndorff Institute for Equine Science, Vetmeduni Vienna, Neustadt (Dosse), Germany.
Nagel, Christina
  • Graf Lehndorff Institute for Equine Science, Vetmeduni Vienna, Neustadt (Dosse), Germany.
Beythien, Elisabeth
  • Graf Lehndorff Institute for Equine Science, Vetmeduni Vienna, Neustadt (Dosse), Germany.
Gautier, Camille
  • Department of Small Animals and Horses, Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Zentek, Jürgen
  • Institute for Animal Nutrition, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Aurich, Christine
  • Department of Small Animals and Horses, Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Arginine / administration & dosage
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Embryonic Development
  • Female
  • Horses / physiology
  • Ovulation
  • Placentation
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Animal

Conflict of Interest Statement

None of the authors have any conflict of interest to declare.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
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