Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Endocrine abnormalities and hormonal therapy.
Abstract: Routine measurement of estrogens, testosterone, T4, insulin, FSH, and LH at least four times per year (e.g., during each of the four seasons) may improve the efficiency of stallion management. Benefits may not be realized in the short term but will provide valuable historical data on individual stallions that, when added to other data, will improve ability of management personnel to initiate early treatment and delay or slow declining fertility. This ability will be greatly improved as more data and products become available. There appears to be a relationship between low total estrogen concentration/high FSH concentration and subfertility. This condition is associated with high average breedings per pregnancy. A decrease in concentration of estrogen and an increase in FSH concentration often precede a decline in fertility associated with oligospermia. Hypogonadotropic stallions have not been reported. This condition is not likely to be a cause of declining fertility in stallions and greatly limits the potential efficacy of GnRH therapy in subfertile stallions. Much research must be done to elucidate the etiology of testicular degeneration associated with increased FSH concentrations and decreased estrogen concentrations in stallions. At present, no reliable hormonal therapeutic protocols exist that will improve fertility in subfertile stallions.
Publication Date: 1992-04-01 PubMed ID: 1576552DOI: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30478-9Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
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.
This research article discusses the potential of routine hormone measurements, particularly estrogens, testosterone, T4, insulin, FSH and LH, to enhance stallion management and potentially delay or mitigate declining fertility. However, the current understanding of testicular degeneration and hormonal changes associated with subfertility in stallions is limited, and more research is needed in this area.
Hormonal Measurements in Stallion Management
The researchers suggest that frequent measurements of hormones – specifically estrogens, testosterone, T4 (thyroxine), insulin, FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), and LH (Luteinizing Hormone) may enhance stallion management. These factors can provide valuable understanding about the individual’s reproductive and overall health over different seasons, but the observed benefits might not be seen in the short term.
- These routine measurements can enable management personnel to implement early treatment and potentially slow or delay declining fertility in the stallions, with accuracy improving as more data is accumulated and evaluated.
Estrogen and FSH Levels and Stallion Fertility
The study also highlights the correlation between lower total estrogen concentration and higher FSH concentration with subfertility in stallions. Subfertility is expressed through high average breedings per pregnancy, and often high FSH and low estrogen levels precede a decrease in fertility linked to oligospermia or low sperm count.
- Oligospermia constrains the fertilization process due to reduced sperm quantity.
- No instances of hypogonadotropic stallions (those with diminished functional activity of the gonads) have been reported which suggests this condition as an unlikely cause of declining fertility and reduces the potential effectiveness of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) therapy.
Future Research and Therapeutics
Despite the potential promise of hormone management in maintaining and improving stallion fertility, the research asserts that much more study is needed to comprehend the causes of testicular degeneration connected with increased FSH concentrations and decreased estrogen concentrations.
- Current knowledge is insufficient to develop reliable hormonal therapeutic protocols that can enhance fertility in subfertile stallions.
- This signifies a significant gap in therapeutic approaches to managing subfertility in stallions and underlines the necessity for increased research in this area.
Cite This Article
APA
Douglas RH, Umphenour N.
(1992).
Endocrine abnormalities and hormonal therapy.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 8(1), 237-249.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30478-9 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- BET Reproductive Laboratories, Inc., Lexington, Kentucky.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Endocrine System Diseases / complications
- Endocrine System Diseases / drug therapy
- Endocrine System Diseases / veterinary
- Hormones / therapeutic use
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horses
- Infertility, Male / drug therapy
- Infertility, Male / etiology
- Infertility, Male / veterinary
- Male
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Samir H, ElSayed MI, Radwan F, Hedia M, Hendawy H, Hendawy AO, Elbadawy M, Watanabe G. An updated insight on testicular hemodynamics: Environmental, physiological, and technical perspectives in farm and companion animals. Vet Res Commun 2023 Jun;47(2):323-345.
- Ortiz-Rodriguez JM, Anel-Lopez L, Martín-Muñoz P, Álvarez M, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Anel L, Rodríguez-Medina P, Peña FJ, Ortega Ferrusola C. Pulse Doppler ultrasound as a tool for the diagnosis of chronic testicular dysfunction in stallions. PLoS One 2017;12(5):e0175878.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
