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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Maternal Nutrition during Pregnancy Affects Testicular and B...
PloS one2017; 12(1); e0169295; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169295

Maternal Nutrition during Pregnancy Affects Testicular and Bone Development, Glucose Metabolism and Response to Overnutrition in Weaned Horses Up to Two Years.

Abstract: Pregnant mares and post-weaning foals are often fed concentrates rich in soluble carbohydrates, together with forage. Recent studies suggest that the use of concentrates is linked to alterations of metabolism and the development of osteochondrosis in foals. The aim of this study was to determine if broodmare diet during gestation affects metabolism, osteoarticular status and growth of yearlings overfed from 20 to 24 months of age and/or sexual maturity in prepubertal colts. Methods: Twenty-four saddlebred mares were fed forage only (n = 12, group F) or cracked barley and forage (n = 12, group B) from mid-gestation until foaling. Colts were gelded at 12 months of age. Between 20 and 24 months of age, all yearlings were overfed (+140% of requirements) using an automatic concentrate feeder. Offspring were monitored for growth between 6 and 24 months of age, glucose homeostasis was evaluated via modified frequently sampled intra veinous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) at 19 and 24 months of age and osteoarticular status was investigated using radiographic examinations at 24 months of age. The structure and function of testicles from prepubertal colts were analyzed using stereology and RT-qPCR. Results: Post-weaning weight growth was not different between groups. Testicular maturation was delayed in F colts compared to B colts at 12 months of age. From 19 months of age, the cannon bone was wider in B vs F yearlings. F yearlings were more insulin resistant at 19 months compared to B yearlings but B yearlings were affected more severely by overnutrition with reduced insulin sensitivity. The osteoarticular status at 24 months of age was not different between groups. Conclusions: In conclusion, nutritional management of the pregnant broodmare and the growing foal may affect sexual maturity of colts and the metabolism of foals until 24 months of age. These effects may be deleterious for reproductive and sportive performances in older horses.
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Publication Date: 2017-01-12 PubMed ID: 28081146PubMed Central: PMC5231272DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169295Google 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.

This study investigates how the diet of a pregnant mare influences the development, metabolism, and overnutrition response of her foals up to two years old. Research indicates maternal feeding habits, for instance, a diet rich in soluble carbohydrates, may impact the occurrence of metabolic alterations and developmental conditions in yearlings.

Methodology

  • A total of twenty-four saddlebred mares were used in this research. The study divided the mares into two groups: one that received only forage (group F) and another that got a combination of forage and cracked barley (group B). This diet regimen was followed from mid-gestation until foaling.
  • When the foals reached 12 months old, the male ones were gelded. The period between 20 and 24 months of age was characterized by overfeeding all yearlings with a diet containing 140% more than their nutritional requirements, facilitated by an automatic concentrate feeder.
  • Several parameters were monitored. These included growth (from 6 to 24 months), glucose homeostasis (at the ages of 19 and 24 months using the frequently sampled intra veinous glucose tolerance test), the health of osteoarticular status (checked through radiographic examinations at 24 months), and testicular structure and function of the male foals, analyzed through stereology and RT-qPCR methods.

Findings

  • The rate of post-weaning weight growth showed no difference between the two groups. However, there was a noticeable delay in testicular maturation among the F group compared to the B group at 12 months of age.
  • At 19 months, the cannon bone of yearlings in the B group was wider than those in the F group. Moreover, yearlings from the F group showed more resistance to insulin compared to group B. Nonetheless, overnutrition seemed to have a more significant impact on the B group, by reducing their insulin sensitivity.
  • There was no noticeable difference in osteoarticular status between the two groups at 24 months.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that the nutritional management of a pregnant mare and her foal could potentially influence the sexual maturity and metabolism of the foal up to two years after birth.
  • The consequences of these nutritional effects can be negative, affecting both reproductive and sporting performances in older horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Robles M, Gautier C, Mendoza L, Peugnet P, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Lejeune JP, Caudron I, Guenon I, Camous S, Tarrade A, Wimel L, Serteyn D, Bouraima-Lelong H, Chavatte-Palmer P. (2017). Maternal Nutrition during Pregnancy Affects Testicular and Bone Development, Glucose Metabolism and Response to Overnutrition in Weaned Horses Up to Two Years. PLoS One, 12(1), e0169295. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0169295

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Pages: e0169295

Researcher Affiliations

Robles, Morgane
  • UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Jouy en Josas, France.
Gautier, Camille
  • Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, EA2608, OeReCa, USC-INRA, Caen, France.
Mendoza, Luis
  • Clinique Equine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Peugnet, Pauline
  • UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Jouy en Josas, France.
Dubois, Cédric
  • IFCE, Station Expérimentale de la Valade, Chamberet, France.
Dahirel, Michèle
  • UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Jouy en Josas, France.
Lejeune, Jean-Philippe
  • Clinique Equine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Caudron, Isabelle
  • Clinique Equine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Guenon, Isabelle
  • Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, EA2608, OeReCa, USC-INRA, Caen, France.
Camous, Sylvaine
  • UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Jouy en Josas, France.
Tarrade, Anne
  • UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Jouy en Josas, France.
Wimel, Laurence
  • IFCE, Station Expérimentale de la Valade, Chamberet, France.
Serteyn, Didier
  • Clinique Equine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Bouraima-Lelong, Hélène
  • Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, EA2608, OeReCa, USC-INRA, Caen, France.
Chavatte-Palmer, Pascale
  • UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Jouy en Josas, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Development
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Maternal Exposure / adverse effects
  • Overnutrition
  • Pregnancy
  • Testis / growth & development

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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