L-Arginine supplementation 0.5% of diet during the last 90 days of gestation and 14 days postpartum reduced uterine fluid accumulation in the broodmare.
Abstract: L-Arginine is an essential amino acid in many species that has been shown to influence reproduction. However, in horses a dose of 1% L-arginine of total dietary intake impaired absorption of other amino acids, whereas a dose of 0.5% did not. The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate postpartum parameters on mares supplemented with 0.5% L-arginine through the last 90d of gestation and 14d postpartum. Sixteen light-horse mares were randomly divided in two groups: 8 mares supplemented with 0.5% L-arginine and 8 mares fed an isonitrogenous equivalent. Gestation length, days to uterine clearance and days to first ovulation were compared. Uterine body depth, diameter of uterine horns, and length of largest pocket of uterine fluid were recorded daily via transrectal ultrasound. Measurements of foal weight, height, and cannon bone circumference were recorded for 9 weeks. Arginine treatment had no effect on gestation length (P=0.58). Supplemented mares cleared fluid quicker postpartum (6.8±0.53d; P=0.026) compared to control (9.0±0.38d). Mares supplemented with L-arginine had smaller diameter of fluid present in the postpartum uterus (P≤0.05). Days to first postpartum ovulation were not affected by treatment nor any influence on uterine involution. Finally, treatment had no effect on any foal's measured parameters. L-Arginine supplementation fed at 0.5% of daily intake during the last 90d of gestation and early postpartum in mares decreased uterine fluid accumulation, yet did not appear to have any effect on any other parameters measured.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2015-05-16 PubMed ID: 26036908DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2015.05.011Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates the impact of L-Arginine supplementation on postpartum mares. The findings revealed that a 0.5% L-Arginine supplement, given during the final 90 days of gestation and the 14 days following childbirth, lessened uterine fluid accumulation without affecting other parameters.
Research Methodology and Design
- Scientists conducted an experiment with the objective of investigating the afterbirth conditions on mares supplemented with 0.5% L-Arginine during the concluding 90 days of gestation and 14 days postpartum.
- 16 light-horse mares were split randomly into two groups: 8 mares were supplemented with 0.5% L-Arginine, and the remainder got an isonitrogenous equivalent.
- Researchers compared several parameters including length of pregnancy, time taken for uterine clearance and days till the first ovulation. Additionally, they also measured the uterine body depth, diameter of the uterine horns, and the length of the largest pocket consisting of uterine fluid.
- All these measurements were consistently monitored via transrectal ultrasound. Foal attributes such as weight, height, and cannon bone circumference were also recorded for a period of 9 weeks.
Research Findings
- The research found that L-Arginine supplementation had no significant effect on the duration of the gestation period.
- However, it was observed that mares supplemented with L-Arginine were able to clear fluid more quickly after birth compared to the control group.
- Additionally, the diameter of the uterine fluid present postpartum was smaller in mares supplemented with L-Arginine.
- The time duration till first ovulation postpartum and the process of uterine involution were not impacted by the L-Arginine treatment.
- No influential effects of the L-Arginine treatment were identified on any of the measured parameters of the foals.
Conclusions
- The experiment concluded that L-Arginine supplementation, when supplied at 0.5% of daily intake during the last 90 days of gestation and early postpartum in mares, was effective in reducing uterine fluid accumulation.
- However, it was also determined that this supplementation had no effect on several other parameters measured during the research.
Cite This Article
APA
Mesa AM, Warren LK, Sheehan JM, Kelley DE, Mortensen CJ.
(2015).
L-Arginine supplementation 0.5% of diet during the last 90 days of gestation and 14 days postpartum reduced uterine fluid accumulation in the broodmare.
Anim Reprod Sci, 159, 46-51.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2015.05.011 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 110910, 459 Shealy Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 110910, 459 Shealy Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 110910, 459 Shealy Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 110910, 459 Shealy Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 110910, 459 Shealy Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA. Electronic address: cmortensen@ufl.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn / growth & development
- Arginine / therapeutic use
- Diet / methods
- Diet / veterinary
- Dietary Supplements
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Postpartum Period / drug effects
- Postpartum Period / physiology
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal / drug effects
- Pregnancy, Animal / physiology
- Uterus / drug effects
- Uterus / physiology
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