Metabolic profile of broodmares during late pregnancy and early post-partum.
Abstract: Pregnancy represents a specific physiological status characterized by continuous adjustments that affect maternal metabolism of all nutrients. In the last trimester of pregnancy, mare's nutrient requirements greatly increase and most pregnancy-associated diseases are likely to occur. Therefore, we aimed to assess the metabolic profile of broodmares focusing on the last 3 months of pregnancy and the early post-partum. Fifteen pregnant mares (Group A) were monitored from 263 ± 3 days of pregnancy until 21 days after foaling. Seven non-pregnant mares (Group B) were used as the control group. Blood samples were collected weekly by jugular venipuncture throughout the experimental period, and additional blood samples were collected within 24 ± 12 h of foaling. Obtained sera were analyzed for urea (Ur), creatinine (Cre), total protein (TP), total, direct and indirect bilirubin (tB, dB, iB), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (tChol) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). During pregnancy, Ur (p = 0.015) and dB (p = 0.028) were higher in Group A than Group B. Serum Cre, tB, iB and TG (p < 0.001) decreased after foaling; furthermore, Group A exhibited lower tChol (p < 0.001) and higher BHB (p < 0.001) than Group B during the study. There were significant interactions of time × peripartum on Ur (p = 0.007), Cre (p < 0.001), tB (p = 0.018), TG (p < 0.001) and tChol (p < 0.001). These results can be used in the interpretation of biochemical studies in late gestation mares which develop systemic disease. The improved understanding of the metabolic profile during the peripartum might assist in monitoring the health status of the broodmares to promote foetal growth and well-being.
© 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2014-09-23 PubMed ID: 25251226DOI: 10.1111/rda.12411Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study investigates the metabolic changes in broodmares during the last trimester of pregnancy and early postpartum period. These findings contribute to understanding and monitoring maternal health during this crucial developmental time.
Study Objective and Methodology
- The research aimed to investigate the metabolic changes that occur in broodmares during the last three months of their pregnancies and the immediate postpartum period. These changes were examined in order to better understand the bodily adjustments mothers undergo and to monitor their health during this pivotal period.
- The study observed 15 pregnant mares (Group A) from 263±3 days of pregnancy until 21 days after they gave birth. Seven non-pregnant mares (Group B) served as a control group for comparison.
- Research methods included weekly blood samples collected by jugular venipuncture. Extra samples were taken within 24±12 hours of birth. These samples were analysed for various biochemical markers including urea, creatinine, total protein, total, direct and indirect bilirubin, triglycerides, total cholesterol and β-hydroxybutyrate.
Results and Findings
- During pregnancy, urea and direct bilirubin values were higher in the pregnant mares compared to the non-pregnant ones.
- After foaling, the researchers observed a decrease in creatinine, total, direct and indirect bilirubin, and triglycerides.
- Pregnant mares also exhibited lower total cholesterol but higher β-hydroxybutyrate than the non-pregnant mares during the course of the study.
- Significant time and peripartum interactions were also found on urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, triglycerides, and total cholesterol.
Conclusion
- The results provide valuable insights into the interpretation of biochemical studies in late gestation mares which develop systemic disease.
- The researchers concluded that their findings could also enhance understanding of the metabolic profile during the peripartum period, which could assist in monitoring the health status of broodmares and promote the growth and wellbeing of their foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Bazzano M, Giannetto C, Fazio F, Arfuso F, Giudice E, Piccione G.
(2014).
Metabolic profile of broodmares during late pregnancy and early post-partum.
Reprod Domest Anim, 49(6), 947-953.
https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.12411 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Energy Metabolism / physiology
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Postpartum Period / physiology
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Du X, Cui Z, Zhang R, Zhao K, Wang L, Yao J, Liu S, Cai C, Cao Y. The Effects of Rumen-Protected Choline and Rumen-Protected Nicotinamide on Liver Transcriptomics in Periparturient Dairy Cows. Metabolites 2023 Apr 26;13(5).
- Zheng Z, Zheng Y, Liang X, Xue G, Wu H. Sanguinarine Enhances the Integrity of the Blood-Milk Barrier and Inhibits Oxidative Stress in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Mastitis. Cells 2022 Nov 18;11(22).
- Zhou J, Ding Z, Pu Q, Xue B, Yue S, Guan S, Wang Z, Wang L, Peng Q, Xue B. Rumen Fermentation and Microbiome Responses to Enzymatic Hydrolysate of Cottonseed Protein Supplementation in Continuous In Vitro Culture. Animals (Basel) 2022 Aug 18;12(16).
- Bazzano M, Bonfili L, Eleuteri AM, Serri E, Scollo C, Yaosen Y, Tesei B, Laus F. Assessment of serum amyloid A concentrations and biochemical profiles in lactating jennies and newborn Ragusano donkey foals around parturition and one month after foaling in Sicily. Reprod Domest Anim 2022 Mar;57(3):262-268.
- Arfuso F, Giannetto C, Bazzano M, Assenza A, Piccione G. Physiological Correlation between Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, Leptin, UCP1 and Lipid Panel in Mares during Late Pregnancy and Early Postpartum Period. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 9;11(7).
- Quaresma M, Marín C, Bacellar D, Nóvoa M, Navas FJ, McLean A. Selenium and Vitamin E Concentrations in Miranda Jennies and Foals (Equus asinus) in Northeast Portugal. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 14;11(6).
- Kang D, Lungu SE, Danso F, Dzou CF, Chen Y, Zheng X, Nie F, Lin H, Chen J, Zhou G. Animal health and nutrition: metabolic disorders in cattle and improvement strategies. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1470391.
- Del Prete C, Vastolo A, Pasolini MP, Cocchia N, Montano C, Cutrignelli MI. Effects of maternal dietary supplementation with antioxidants on clinical status of mares and their foal. BMC Vet Res 2024 Sep 11;20(1):404.
- Zhang Y, Mgeni M, Xiu Z, Chen Y, Chen J, Sun Y. Effects of Dandelion Extract on Promoting Production Performance and Reducing Mammary Oxidative Stress in Dairy Cows Fed High-Concentrate Diet. Int J Mol Sci 2024 May 31;25(11).
- Tufarelli V, Puvača N, Glamočić D, Pugliese G, Colonna MA. The Most Important Metabolic Diseases in Dairy Cattle during the Transition Period. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 6;14(5).
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