Influences of Oil-Based Palatants on Eating Behavior in Gestating Mares.
Abstract: Gustatory and olfactory changes have been reported during gestation in multiple species. However, few data are available regarding feeding preferences in gestating mares. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of oil-based palatants on feeding behavior in late term gestating mares. Late-term gestating mares (n = 5) and reproductively sound, open mares (n = 4) were evaluated via paired preference testing during the final 120 days of gestation. Oil-based flavors (corn oil, anise, and apple) were topically applied to a basal pelleted diet (0.375 ml/0.23 kg). Diets were offered simultaneously using a ground level feeding platform and individual box stalls with 20 minutes allotted for engagement. Behaviors assessed included: sniffing, hovering, checking, chewing, chewing with the head lifted, uninterested, ingestion, pawing, flipping of feed pan, moving of feed platform, and defecation. Variables of interest included: first diet sniffed, consumed, and finished; time to finish first diet; time to finish all diets, and number of olfactory and consumption engagements for each diet. Data were analyzed using PROC FREQ and PROC MIXED in SAS Studio. Data analysis revealed a faster rate of consumption for first diet finished (P = .05) of gestating mares when compared to open mares. Additionally, gestating mares had a greater frequency of olfactory interactions across all diets (P < .01), but less consumption interactions across all diets (P = .01). These novel data suggest a previously unreported increase in olfactory investigation for gestating mares as well as new insights into gestational feeding behaviors of horses.
Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2022-09-01 PubMed ID: 36058502DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104115Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates the impact of oil-based flavors on the eating behavior of pregnant horses (mares) in their late gestation. The research outcomes suggest that pregnant mares exhibit heightened olfactory interactions with their food, and differing rates of consuming their food compared to non-pregnant mares.
Objective of the Research
- The primary objective of this research was to study the influences of oil-based palatants (flavors) on the feeding behaviors of late-term gestating mares.
- The researchers wanted to see if the addition of these flavors to the mare’s diet (corn oil, anise, and apple) would change their feeding behaviors, specifically their olfactory recognition and consumption rates.
Methodology
- Late-term pregnant mares (5) and non-pregnant (open) mares (4) were evaluated during the final 120 days of gestation via preference testing.
- The animals were given diets with added oil-based flavors and their behaviors were recorded. These behaviors included sniffing, hovering over food, checking (presumably of their surroundings), chewing, lifting their heads while chewing, showing disinterest, ingesting feed, pawing at the feed, flipping the feed pan, moving the feed platform, and defecating.
- The researchers were particularly interested in which diet the horses first sniffed, what they ate first and finished first, the time it took for them to finish each diet and the overall meal, and the number of olfactory (smelling) and consumption engagements for each diet.
Findings
- The pregnant mares were found to consume their first diet more rapidly than the non-pregnant mares.
- Pregnant mares also had a higher frequency of olfactory interactions with all diets. However, they had fewer consumption exchanges across all diets.
- These findings indicate a greater olfactory interest in food amongst pregnant mares and provide new insights into how gestation might change the eating behaviours of horses.
Importance
- The research provides valuable information on the influence of gestation on a mare’s feeding behavior, and this can help veterinary professionals, horse breeders and owners to optimize their care during their pregnancy.
- While the sample size in this study was relatively small, the results hint at the possibility of a broader pattern in gestating mares.
Cite This Article
APA
Crowell CN, Fenton JM, Perry EB.
(2022).
Influences of Oil-Based Palatants on Eating Behavior in Gestating Mares.
J Equine Vet Sci, 118, 104115.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104115 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science Food & Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL. Electronic address: cierra.crowell@siu.edu.
- Department of Animal Science Food & Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL.
- Department of Animal Science Food & Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Diet / veterinary
- Feeding Behavior
- Horses
- Pregnancy
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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