Effects of transportation on early embryonic death in mares.
Abstract: Incidence of early embryonic death (EED) and associated changes in serum cortisol, progesterone and plasma ascorbic acid (AA) in transported mares were investigated. Mares were transported for 472 km (9 h) during either d 16 to 22 (T-3 wk, n = 15) or d 32 to 38 (T-5 wk, n = 15) of gestation. Blood samples were drawn from control, nontransported mares (NT-3 wk, NT-5 wk, n = 24) and transported mares pre-trip, midtrip, and at 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h post-transport and daily for the next 2 wk. Incidence of EED between transported and nontransported mares was not different (P greater than .05). Serum cortisol in all transported mares increased (P less than .05) relative to pre-trip values at midtrip and 0 h post-transport. Relative to NT mares, serum cortisol was higher (P less than .05) at midtrip in T-3 wk mares and 0 h post-transport in T-5 wk mares. Serum progesterone in all T mares increased (P less than .05) at midtrip relative to pre-trip values and was higher (P less than .05) in T-3 wk mares than in NT-3 wk mares at midtrip and 0 h post-transport. Post-transport decreases (P less than .05) in concentrations of progesterone were observed in mares that aborted. Plasma AA in transported mares increased (P less than .05) at midtrip in T-5 wk mares and decreased (P less than .05) relative to pre-trip values at 24 and 48 h post-transport (T-3 wk and T-5 wk mares, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1990-02-01 PubMed ID: 2312427DOI: 10.2527/1990.682345xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article investigates the impact of transportation on early embryonic death (EED) in mares, and any associated changes in biochemical markers such as cortisol, progesterone and ascorbic acid.
Research Design
- The mares involved in the study were grouped into two based on the gestation periods during which they were transported. One group involved 15 mares transported between 16 to 22 days of gestation, and another group involved 15 mares transported between 32 to 38 days of gestation.
- As a comparison, the study also looked at 24 non-transported mares, again grouped based on the same gestation periods.
- Blood samples were collected from both transported and non-transported mares at several points: before the trip, mid-trip, immediately after the trip, at several hour intervals post-transport, and finally daily for the next two weeks.
Key Findings
- The researchers didn’t observe a significant difference in the incidence of EED between the transported and non-transported mares.
- The study found that the level of cortisol (a key hormone associated with stress response) in the blood of all transported mares increased at mid-trip and immediately after the trip when compared to their pre-trip levels.
- Compared to their non-transported counterparts, the transported mares had significantly higher levels of cortisol at mid-trip (for those in the 16 to 22-day gestation group) and immediately after the trip (for those in the 32 to 38-day gestation group).
- The level of progesterone (a hormone key to maintaining pregnancy) in the blood of all transported mares increased at mid-trip compared to pre-trip values. This increase was significantly more for those in the 16 to 22-day gestation group in comparison to their non-transported counterparts at both mid-trip and immediately after the trip. This hormone’s concentration decreased post-transport in mares that experienced abortions.
- Changes were also observed in the concentration of plasma ascorbic acid (an antioxidant that may affect fertility). It increased at mid-trip in transported mares in the 32 to 38-day gestation group but decreased relative to pre-trip values at 24 and 48 hours post-transport for both groups.
Implications of the Study
- The study provides important insights into the physiological stress response of mares to transportation during different gestational periods. Although the research did not find a significant difference in EED incidents between transported and non-transported mares, it did observe significant fluctuations in key biochemical markers related to stress and pregnancy maintenance.
- These findings highlight the need for effective management strategies during transportation to minimize potential negative impacts on the mare’s physiological wellbeing and pregnancy outcome.
Cite This Article
APA
Baucus KL, Ralston SL, Nockels CF, McKinnon AO, Squires EL.
(1990).
Effects of transportation on early embryonic death in mares.
J Anim Sci, 68(2), 345-351.
https://doi.org/10.2527/1990.682345x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Dept. of Clin. Sci., Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Ascorbic Acid / blood
- Female
- Fetal Death / etiology
- Fetal Death / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Hydrocortisone / blood
- Pregnancy
- Progesterone / blood
- Stress, Physiological / complications
- Stress, Physiological / etiology
- Stress, Physiological / veterinary
- Transportation
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Massányi M, Halo M, Mlyneková E, Kováčiková E, Tokárová K, Greń A, Massányi P, Halo M. The effect of training load stress on salivary cortisol concentrations, health parameters and hematological parameters in horses. Heliyon 2023 Aug;9(8):e19037.
- Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Earley B, Edwards S, Faucitano L, Marti S, Miranda de La Lama GC, Costa LN, Thomsen PT, Ashe S, Mur L, Van der Stede Y, Herskin M. Welfare of equidae during transport. EFSA J 2022 Sep;20(9):e07444.
- Benhajali H, Ezzaouia M, Lunel C, Charfi F, Hausberger M. Temporal feeding pattern may influence reproduction efficiency, the example of breeding mares. PLoS One 2013;8(9):e73858.
- Fazio E, Medica P, Aronica V, Grasso L, Ferlazzo A. Circulating beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol levels of stallions before and after short road transport: stress effect of different distances. Acta Vet Scand 2008 Mar 3;50(1):6.
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