Genetic and Environmental Factors Influencing Gestation Length in Lusitano Horses.
Abstract: Breeding and parturition records collected over a period of 35 years in the Alter Real stud of Lusitano horses were used to calculate gestation length (GL). The 1027 gestations by 209 mares mated to 60 stallions had a mean GL of 338.1 ± 9.26 days. The mixed model analysis of variance indicated that the sex of the foal and inbreeding of the dam and foal had no significant effect on GL (P > .05). On the other hand, GL increased linearly with mare age, with an estimated regression coefficient of 0.155 ± 0.069 days/year (P < .05). Year and conception month affected GL (P < .05), with longer gestations observed when breeding occurred between January and April, followed by a decline of about 5 and 10 days in GL of mares bred in May and in June-July, respectively. Important differences were observed between stallions (P < .05), with most stallions resulting in a distribution of GL in an interval of ±5 days. The inclusion of the mare as a random effect in the mixed model resulted in an estimated repeatability of GL of 0.427, indicating that mares tend to be regular in having long or short gestations across their lifetime. Variance components estimated in an Animal Model resulted in heritability estimates of 0.39 for maternal genetic effects and 0.19 for direct genetic effects, with no association between the two components. Overall, the mare seems to have the major genetic influence on GL in Lusitano horses, but environmental factors, such as month of conception and also the age of the mare, have a noticeable effect.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-11-14 PubMed ID: 31864463DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102850Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study examines the factors that influence gestation length in Lusitano horses. It found that mare age, conception month, and the specific stallion used for breeding had significant effects, but the sex of the foal and inbreeding did not.
Objective of the study
- This research was conducted with the aim of identifying the genetic and environmental factors influencing gestation length in Lusitano horses.
Methodology
- The researchers collected breeding and parturition records of Lusitano horses over a period of 35 years from the Alter Real stud.
- They calculated gestation length using data from 1027 gestations involving 209 mares and 60 stallions.
- A mixed model analysis of variance was used to identify factors affecting gestation length.
Results
- The average gestation length was found to be 338.1 ± 9.26 days.
- The sex of the foal and inbreeding of the dam and foal were found not to significantly affect the gestation length.
- Gestation length increased with the age of the mare, and gestation length was longer when conception occurred between January and April.
- The specific stallion used in breeding played a significant role in gestation length, with most stallions resulting in gestation length within an interval of ±5 days.
- Analysis made with the inclusion of the mare as a random effect resulted in a repeatability estimate of 0.427, pointing out the tendency of mares to have a consistent gestation length over time.
Conclusions
- The heritability estimates were 0.39 for maternal genetic effects and 0.19 for direct genetic effects. No association was found between these two components.
- Overall, besides the genetic influence that the mare has on gestation length, environmental factors such as the month of conception and the age of the mare also have a significant impact on how long gestation lasts in Lusitano horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Rodrigues JA, Gonçalves AR, Antunes L, Bettencourt EV, Gama LT.
(2019).
Genetic and Environmental Factors Influencing Gestation Length in Lusitano Horses.
J Equine Vet Sci, 84, 102850.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102850 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- CIISA - Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa, Portugal.
- Veterinary Medicine Department, ICAAM - Mediterranean Environment and Agrarian Sciences Institute, School of Science and Technology, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal.
- Veterinary Medicine Department, ICAAM - Mediterranean Environment and Agrarian Sciences Institute, School of Science and Technology, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal.
- Veterinary Medicine Department, ICAAM - Mediterranean Environment and Agrarian Sciences Institute, School of Science and Technology, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal.
- CIISA - Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: Ltgama@fmv.ulisboa.pt.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Female
- Horses
- Inbreeding
- Male
- Parturition
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal
- Reproduction
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