Effects of oral supplementation with β-carotene on concentrations of β-carotene, vitamin A and α-tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals and on fertility in mares.
Abstract: In this study, effects of oral β-carotene supplementation to mares (β-carotene group: 1000 mg/day, n = 15; control group: n = 15) from 2 weeks before foaling until 6 weeks thereafter on concentrations of β-carotene, vitamin A and α-tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk and plasma of their foals were determined. In addition, effects on fertility were studied. Beta-carotene concentrations increased in plasma and colostrum of β-carotene-supplemented mares compared to control mares (p < 0.05). In mares of both groups, β-carotene concentrations were higher in colostrum than in milk (p < 0.05). In foals, β-carotene concentrations increased with colostrum uptake and were higher in foals born to supplemented mares (p < 0.05; control group: 0.0003 ± 0.0002 μg/ml on day 0, 0.008 ± 0.0023 μg/ml on day 1; β-carotene group: 0.0005 ± 0.0003 μg/ml on day 0, 0.048 ± 0.018 μg/ml on day 1). Concentrations of vitamin A and α-tocopherol were higher in colostrum than in milk (p < 0.05) but did not differ between groups. Concentration of α-tocopherol in plasma of mares decreased over time and in foals, increased markedly within 4 days after birth. All but one mare (control group) showed oestrus within 2 weeks post-partum. Occurrence of oestrus did not differ between groups. More mares of the control group (7/7 vs. 5/12 in the β-carotene group) became pregnant after being bred in first post-partum oestrus (p < 0.05). In conclusion, β-carotene supplementation to mares increased β-carotene concentrations in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals but had no positive effects on fertility.
© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2011-05-04 PubMed ID: 21545547DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01150.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
Summary
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The research investigates the impact of an oral β-carotene supplement on horses and their offspring, specifically focusing on the concentrations of β-carotene, vitamin A, and α-tocopherol in their plasma, milk, and colostrum. The study also examines whether these supplements affect the fertility of mares.
Supplementing Mares with β-carotene
- The research involved two groups of mares. One group was given a daily dose of 1000 mg of β-carotene (β-carotene group) starting two weeks before foaling and continued for six weeks post-delivery. The control group did not receive any β-carotene supplement.
- Results revealed that β-carotene-enhanced mares had increased β-carotene levels in their plasma and colostrum compared to the control group.
β-carotene concentrations in Colostrum and Milk
- Both groups had higher β-carotene concentrations in their colostrum than in milk.
- Vitamin A and α-tocopherol were also found in greater concentrations in colostrum than in milk, but these levels were not significantly different between the groups.
Impact on Foals
- In newborn foals, β-carotene levels increased upon colostrum consumption and were found to be higher in foals born to supplement-fed mares.
- The study also observed a significant increase in α-tocopherol level in the plasma of foals within four days after birth.
Effect on Mare Fertility
- The study examined mares’ post-delivery fertility and found that almost every mare, except one from the control group, showed estrus signs within two weeks post-partum.
- However, mare fertility was not significantly different between the two groups. Mares from the control group exhibited a higher pregnancy rate after being bred during the first post-partum estrus compared to the β-carotene group.
- Thus, the β-carotene supplement did not have a positive impact on mare fertility.
Conclusion
- The research concludes that β-carotene supplementation in mares heightens β-carotene concentration in the plasma, colostrum, and milk of mares, as well as in the plasma of their offspring.
- Yet it does not enhance the fertility of mares despite initial hypotheses.
Cite This Article
APA
Kuhl J, Aurich JE, Wulf M, Hurtienne A, Schweigert FJ, Aurich C.
(2011).
Effects of oral supplementation with β-carotene on concentrations of β-carotene, vitamin A and α-tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals and on fertility in mares.
J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 96(3), 376-384.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01150.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Graf Lehndorff Institute for Equine Science, Neustadt (Dosse), Germany. juliane.kuhl@vetmeduni.ac.at
MeSH Terms
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Colostrum / chemistry
- Dietary Supplements
- Female
- Fertility / drug effects
- Horses / blood
- Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Milk / chemistry
- Pregnancy
- Vitamin A / blood
- Vitamin A / chemistry
- alpha-Tocopherol / blood
- alpha-Tocopherol / chemistry
- beta Carotene / blood
- beta Carotene / chemistry
- beta Carotene / metabolism
- beta Carotene / pharmacology
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