Enhancing Fertility in Mares: Recombinant Equine Gonadotropins.
Abstract: Advanced reproductive technologies have been developed to enhance fertility in mares and stallions. Some of these technologies in mares include superovulation, embryo transfer (ET), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), oocyte transfer (OT), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), and cloning. Superovulation can provide multiple oocytes for these techniques. This review will focus on how recombinant equine follicle-stimulating hormone (reFSH) and recombinant equine luteinizing hormone (reLH) are important for superovulation and ET and may be useful for ICSI, OT, GIFT, and cloning. Superovulation would increase pregnancy rates in normal and subfertile mares and enhance reproductive efficiency when using semen from subfertile stallions. Superovulation depends on a timely interaction of gonadotropins and gonadal feedback in the mare. Historically, several hormone protocols have been used to manipulate follicular waves to increase development and ovulations in cycling, anestrous, and transitional mares. Attempts to superovulate cyclic mares or induce the first ovulation of the year in anestrous or transitional mares using preparations of equine chorionic gonadotropin, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), GnRH agonists, porcine FSH, domperidone, sulpiride, equine pituitary extracts, native equine FSH, human chorionic gonadotropin, progesterone, and immunization against inhibin have produced variable results. The use of recombinant technology has improved the ability to produce a reliable product in substantial quantities that is free of other hormones and possible contaminants. Several studies using reFSH and reLH that demonstrate their efficacy to superovulate the mare and induce the first ovulation of the year will be discussed in this review.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-03-21 PubMed ID: 31084750DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.03.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article reviews the use of advanced reproductive technologies, specifically recombinant equine follicle-stimulating hormone (reFSH) and recombinant equine luteinizing hormone (reLH), to enhance fertility in horses. The study highlights the potential benefits of such hormones for procedures like superovulation, embryo transfer, and cloning.
Context and Background
- The research paper primarily discusses the biological processes for improving fertility in mares, female horses. Superovulation, which involves the production of multiple oocytes (immature egg cells), plays a central role in these processes.
- The review encompasses various techniques such as embryo transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, oocyte transfer, gamete intrafallopian transfer, and cloning, which can be enhanced by superovulation.
- The paper mentions superovulation could increase pregnancy rates in healthy and subfertile mares and boost reproductive efficiency when subfertile male horses (stallions) are involved.
Role and Importance of Gonadotropins
- The hormones follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are key for superovulation and embryo transfer. They work together to regulate the growth, maturity, and release of eggs from the ovaries.
- This research highlights the use of recombinant equine versions of these hormones (reFSH and reLH) due to their reliability in inducing superovulation.
Literature on Hormonal Treatments
- Historically, a variety of hormone protocols and compounds have been used to stimulate ovulation in mares, with varying levels of success. These include equine chorionic gonadotropin, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), porcine FSH, and more.
- However, these older methods often led to inconsistent results, indicating the need for a more effective, reliable solution.
Recombinant Technology
- Recombinant technology, which allows for the creation and use of recombinant hormones, presents a significant advancement in equine reproductive technology.
- Recombinant hormones provide a reliable, uncontaminated supply of hormones in large quantities, which is essential for such procedures.
- Several studies using reFSH and reLH have demonstrated their efficacy in inducing superovulation, shaping the basis of this research review.
Cite This Article
APA
Roser JF, Meyers-Brown G.
(2019).
Enhancing Fertility in Mares: Recombinant Equine Gonadotropins.
J Equine Vet Sci, 76, 6-13.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.03.004 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA. Electronic address: Jfroser@ucdavis.edu.
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Fertility
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone
- Gonadotropins, Equine
- Horses / physiology
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Pregnancy
- Superovulation
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Khan IU, Khairullah AR, Khan AY, Rehman AU, Mustofa I. Strategic approaches to improve equine breeding and stud farm outcomes. Vet World 2025 Feb;18(2):311-328.
- Hallman I, Karikoski N, Kareskoski M. The effects of obesity and insulin dysregulation on mare reproduction, pregnancy, and foal health: a review. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1180622.
- Wang HQ, Wang WH, Chen CZ, Guo HX, Jiang H, Yuan B, Zhang JB. Regulation of FSH Synthesis by Differentially Expressed miR-488 in Anterior Adenohypophyseal Cells. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 15;11(11).
- Antczak DF, Allen WRT. Placentation in Equids. Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol 2021;234:91-128.
- Benammar A, Derisoud E, Vialard F, Palmer E, Ayoubi JM, Poulain M, Chavatte-Palmer P. The Mare: A Pertinent Model for Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies?. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 4;11(8).
- Kaps M, Okada CTC, Gautier CM, Aurich J, Aurich C. Deslorelin Slow-Release Implants Delay Ovulation and Increase Plasma AMH Concentration and Small Antral Follicles in Haflinger Mares. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 28;11(6).
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