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Veterinary and animal science2021; 14; 100212; doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2021.100212

Interrelationship between reproductive hormones and acute phase proteins during estrous cycle and pregnancy in Spanish purebred broodmares.

Abstract: In some species, female steroid hormones modify the profile of acute phase proteins (APPs) during the estrous cycle and pregnancy, according to the ovulation, embryonic implantation and placental development; however, nowadays there's no experimental evidence for equine species. Objectives of this study were: to compare the serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations between cyclic and pregnant mares, and to analyze the influence of estradiol-17β (E) during estrous cycle or estrone sulfate (E) during pregnancy, and progesterone (P) on these proteins to assess their potential role to identify the cyclicity or pregnancy in Spanish mares. Blood samples were taken from 20 Purebred Spanish mares on the day of ovulation (day 0), on days +5 and +16 post-ovulation, and then, monthly during the whole pregnancy. SAA, Hp and CRP did not change between day 0, +5 and +16 post-ovulation days. P concentrations were significantly higher on day +16 than on days +5 and 0; and E concentrations were significantly higher on day 0 than day +5. On the other hand, pregnancy was characterized by a progressive increase in the Hp, variable modifications of E and P concentrations, without changes in SAA and CRP. The absence of significant differences in the APPs between days 0, +5 and +16, suggested that these proteins cannot be used as biomarkers of diagnosis of heat or pregnancy in Spanish mares, at least early, since the Hp later increases during the gestation. Nevertheless, it is possible to use them for comparative purposes with other equine breeds, as supervisor instrument of health status in breeding females as diagnostic tools to monitor pregnancy's development and/or subclinical reproductive inflammations, that could lead to the early embryonic death.
© 2021 The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2021-10-26 PubMed ID: 34765800PubMed Central: PMC8573188DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2021.100212Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 is focused on exploring the relationship between reproductive hormones and acute phase proteins (APPs) in Spanish purebred mares during their estrous cycle and pregnancy, with an aim to identify potential biomarkers for fertility or pregnancy related conditions.

Objective of the Study

  • The primary goal of this study was to elucidate if APPs, specifically serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), and C-reactive protein (CRP) could serve as markers to indicate the reproductive status (cyclicity or pregnancy) of the mares. The researchers also aimed to understand how these proteins are influenced by reproductive hormones like estradiol-17β (E) during the estrous cycle and estrone sulfate (E) during pregnancy, and progesterone (P).

Methodology

  • The researchers drew blood samples from 20 Purebred Spanish mares at different critical points – on the day of ovulation (day 0), on days +5 and +16 post-ovulation, and then, monthly throughout the entire pregnancy.

Findings

  • The concentrations of SAA, Hp, and CRP showed no notable change between day 0, +5 and +16 post-ovulation.
  • Progesterone (P) levels were significantly higher on day +16 than on days +5 and 0, while estradiol-17β (E) levels were significantly higher on day 0 than on day +5.
  • During pregnancy, there was a marked increase in haptoglobin (Hp) levels, and variable modifications in E and P levels, however, no changes were observed in SAA and CRP levels.

Implications

  • Since there were no significant changes in the APPs levels at critical points of the estrous cycle, the study indicates that these proteins cannot be used as biomarkers to detect heat or early stages of pregnancy in Spanish mares.
  • However, the study does not negate the potential use of these proteins as a reference for comparative studies with other equine breeds, as an indicator of health status in breeding females, and as diagnostic tools to monitor pregnancy development and/or subclinical reproductive inflammations, which could potentially lead to early embryonic death.

Cite This Article

APA
Satué K, Calvo A, Muñoz A, Fazio E, Medica P. (2021). Interrelationship between reproductive hormones and acute phase proteins during estrous cycle and pregnancy in Spanish purebred broodmares. Vet Anim Sci, 14, 100212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2021.100212

Publication

Veterinary and animal science
ISSN: 2451-943X
NlmUniqueID: 101694897
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 14
Pages: 100212
PII: 100212

Researcher Affiliations

Satué, Katiuska
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, Avd. Seminari CEU, s/n, Valencia, 46113 Spain.
Calvo, Antonio
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary and Experimental Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Valencia, Spain.
Muñoz, Ana
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Spain.
Fazio, Esterina
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Messina University, Italy.
Medica, Pietro
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Messina University, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

None of the authors of the present article has a financial or personal relationship with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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  4. Satué K, Fauci D, Fazio E, Velasco-Martínez MG, Bruschetta G, Medica P. Sequential changes in serum protein profiles in pregnant Spanish purebred mares. Vet Res Commun 2025 Dec 8;50(1):65.
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  5. Satué K, La Fauci D, Medica P, Damiá Gímenez E, Cravana C, Fazio E. Shifts between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory profiles in pregnant mares: a review of physiological functions. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1660759.
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