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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anim Sci / Endocrine profiles of periparturient mares and their foals.
Journal of animal science2007; 85(7); 1660-1668; doi: 10.2527/jas.2006-771

Endocrine profiles of periparturient mares and their foals.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to characterize concentrations of leptin, IGF-I, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood serum of mares pre-and postpartum, in the milk serum of mares postpartum, and in the blood serum of their foals. Nine pregnant Quarter Horse mares and their offspring were used in this study. Once weekly between 1000 and 1200 h for 2 wk before their predicted parturition date, mares were weighed, assigned a BCS, and blood was sampled via jugular venipuncture. Within 2 h of parturition and before the foals nursed (d 0), blood samples were obtained from the mares and foals, and a milk sample was collected from the mares. Blood from the foals and blood and milk from the mares were collected again at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 12, 19, 26, 33, and 61 d postpartum. Mares and foals also were weighed and assigned a BCS on d 0, 5, 12, 19, 26, 33, and 61. Additionally, on d 5, 33, and 61, ultrasound images of fat depth and area of the LM immediately cranial to and parallel with the last rib on the left side of the foals were measured to characterize changes in fat depth and LM area over time. There were no changes in mare blood concentrations TSH (P = 0.15), nor were there any changes in foal blood concentrations of leptin (P = 0.54) or TSH (P = 0.10) during the trial period. Mare blood concentrations of IGF-I tended to change over time (P = 0.07), whereas leptin changed over time (P < 0.001), initially decreasing and then remaining relatively stable after d 5. Foal blood concentrations of IGF-I increased initially, peaked at d 19, and stabilized thereafter (P < 0.001). Milk concentrations of leptin and TSH were greatest on d 0 and decreased over time (P < 0.007), reaching nadir concentrations at d 61. Milk concentrations of IGF-I also changed over time (P = 0.02), being greatest on d 0 and undetectable by d 12. There was no difference in BCS (P = 0.94) in mares over time, but there was a difference between pre- and postpartum BW (P < 0.001) due to foaling. However, no differences were detected in pre- (P = 0.70) or postpartum BW (P = 0.76) of mares over time. Mean ultrasonic fat depth and LM area increased (P < 0.04) as the foals aged, as did BCS and BW (P < 0.001). Recognizing changes in metabolic hormones surrounding the time of parturition in the mare and foal provides a basis for further determination of the role, if any, these hormones play in the milk, as well as in the neonate.
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Publication Date: 2007-04-12 PubMed ID: 17431046DOI: 10.2527/jas.2006-771Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 research explores the hormonal changes in mares and their newborn foals around the time of birth, with a focus on leptin, IGF-I, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). It found variations over time in these hormones both in the blood and milk of the mares and in the blood of the foals.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to track the levels of three hormones – leptin, IGF-I, and TSH – in the blood serum of mares before and after giving birth, in postpartum milk from the mares, and in the blood serum of their foals.
  • The study utilized nine pregnant Quarter Horse mares and their offspring. All mares were subject to weekly checks starting two weeks prior to their due birth date, which included weight measurements, body condition score (BCS) assignments, and blood samples.
  • After birthing and before the foals fed, blood samples were taken from both mares and foals, and a milk sample was also taken from the mares.

Further Observations

  • Additional samples of blood from foals and blood and milk from mares were collected at various intervals up to 61 days postpartum. Mares and foals were also weighed and assigned a BCS on certain days.
  • An ultrasound was used on the foals on three occasions to measure fat depth and the size of the Longissimus Muscle (LM) to track changes over time.

Key Findings

  • There were no significant changes in TSH levels in the blood of both mares and foals.
  • There were significant changes in the levels of IGF-I and leptin in the mares’ blood over time. Leptin initially decreased then stabilized after day 5, whereas IGF-I showed a tendency to change over time.
  • The study also found that newborn foals experienced an initial increase in IGF-I concentration in their blood, which peaked at day 19 and then stabilized.
  • In milk, concentrations of leptin and TSH were highest immediately after parturition and decreased over time, bottoming out at 61 days postpartum. IGF-I levels in the milk also followed this pattern but were no longer detectable by day 12.
  • The study revealed that the body weight of mares changed significantly pre- and post-birth, but didn’t along with their BCS over time. However, as the foals aged, they showed a significant increase in body weight, BCS, ultrasonic fat depth, and LM area.

Implications of the Study

  • The findings of this study highlight the changes in metabolic hormones during the period surrounding the birth, in mares and their foals.
  • This research provides a basis for further investigation into the role these hormones might play in the health and development of the foals, and how they are affected by factors such as the hormones present in the mother’s milk.

Cite This Article

APA
Berg EL, McNamara DL, Keisler DH. (2007). Endocrine profiles of periparturient mares and their foals. J Anim Sci, 85(7), 1660-1668. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2006-771

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 85
Issue: 7
Pages: 1660-1668

Researcher Affiliations

Berg, E L
  • Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
McNamara, D L
    Keisler, D H

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Animals, Suckling / blood
      • Body Composition / physiology
      • Body Constitution / physiology
      • Body Weight / physiology
      • Female
      • Horses / blood
      • Horses / metabolism
      • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / analysis
      • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
      • Leptin / analysis
      • Leptin / blood
      • Milk / chemistry
      • Milk / metabolism
      • Postpartum Period / blood
      • Pregnancy
      • Pregnancy, Animal / blood
      • Radioimmunoassay / veterinary
      • Thyrotropin / analysis
      • Thyrotropin / blood
      • Time Factors

      Citations

      This article has been cited 7 times.
      1. Arfuso F, Giannetto C, Bazzano M, Assenza A, Piccione G. Physiological Correlation between Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, Leptin, UCP1 and Lipid Panel in Mares during Late Pregnancy and Early Postpartum Period. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 9;11(7).
        doi: 10.3390/ani11072051pubmed: 34359179google scholar: lookup
      2. Kinsella HM, Hostnik LD, Rings LM, Swink JM, Burns TA, Toribio RE. Glucagon, insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol in response to carbohydrates and fasting in healthy neonatal foals. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Jan;35(1):550-559.
        doi: 10.1111/jvim.16024pubmed: 33415818google scholar: lookup
      3. Balogh O, Staub LP, Gram A, Boos A, Kowalewski MP, Reichler IM. Leptin in the canine uterus and placenta: possible implications in pregnancy. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2015 Mar 8;13:13.
        doi: 10.1186/s12958-015-0003-6pubmed: 25871422google scholar: lookup
      4. Peugnet P, Wimel L, Duchamp G, Sandersen C, Camous S, Guillaume D, Dahirel M, Dubois C, Jouneau L, Reigner F, Berthelot V, Chaffaux S, Tarrade A, Serteyn D, Chavatte-Palmer P. Enhanced or reduced fetal growth induced by embryo transfer into smaller or larger breeds alters post-natal growth and metabolism in pre-weaning horses. PLoS One 2014;9(7):e102044.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102044pubmed: 25006665google scholar: lookup
      5. Breuhaus BA. Thyroid function and dysfunction in term and premature equine neonates. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Jul-Aug;28(4):1301-9.
        doi: 10.1111/jvim.12382pubmed: 24934827google scholar: lookup
      6. Ma Y, Liu Y, Li H, Yang K, Yao G. Changes in blood physiological and biochemical parameters and intestinal flora in newborn horses and mares with angular limb deformities. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1503117.
        doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1503117pubmed: 39660173google scholar: lookup
      7. Porto ACRC, Redoan MA, Massoco CO, Furtado PV, Oliveira CA. Additional effects using progestins in mares on levels of thyroid hormones and steroids in neonates. Anim Reprod 2023;20(4):e20230029.
        doi: 10.1590/1984-3143-AR2023-0029pubmed: 38148929google scholar: lookup
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