Ovulation, pregnancy rate and early embryonic development in vernal transitional mares treated with equine- or porcine-FSH.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of purified equine- and porcine-FSH treatment regimes in mares in early vernal transition. Mares (n = 22) kept under ambient light were examined ultrasonographically per-rectum, starting January 30th. They were assigned to one of two treatment groups using a sequential alternating treatment design when a follicle >or= 25 mm was detected. In the eFSH group, mares were treated twice daily with equine-FSH, and in the pFSH group mares were treated twice daily with porcine-FSH; treatments were continued until follicle(s) >or= 35 mm, and 24 h later hCG was administered. Oestrous mares were inseminated with fresh semen and examined for pregnancy on days 11-20 post-ovulation. In the eFSH group, 11/11 (100%) mares developed follicle(s) >or= 35 mm, 8/11 (73%) ovulated and 6/8 (75%) conceived. In the pFSH group, 5/11 (45%) developed follicle(s) >or= 35 mm, 4/11 (36%) ovulated and 3/4 (75%) conceived. Treatment with eFSH resulted in a greater ovarian stimulation; higher number of pre-ovulatory-sized follicles, higher number of ovulations and higher number of embryos (p < 0.05). Following ovulation, serum progesterone concentrations were correlated with the number of CLs and supported early embryonic development; maternal recognition of pregnancy occurred in all pregnant mares. We concluded that eFSH can be used to effectively induce follicular growth and ovulation in vernal transitional mares; however, if bred, diagnosis and management of twins' pregnancies would be required prior to day 16 because of the increased risk of multiple embryos per pregnancy. Conversely, the current pFSH treatment regime cannot be recommended.
Publication Date: 2009-01-08 PubMed ID: 19144034DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01296.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review
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 was aimed at analyzing the effectiveness of using equine-Follicle Stimulating Hormone (eFSH) and porcine-FSH (pFSH) to boost ovulation, conception, and early embryonic development in transitional mares. The study found that eFSH was more efficient in driving the growth of follicles, ovulation, and embryonic development than pFSH. However, mares treated with eFSH had a greater risk of twin pregnancy, necessitating careful monitoring.
Methodology
- The study involved 22 mares that were inspected through ultrasonography procedures starting from January 30th, under ambient light conditions.
- The mares were split into two treatment groups following a sequential alternating treatment design as soon as a follicle size of 25mm or more was detected.
- Mares in the eFSH group were treated twice daily with equine-FSH. Conversely, mares in the pFSH group were treated twice a day with porcine-FSH.
- The treatments continued until the development of follicles measuring 35mm or more. 24 hours thereafter, hCG was administered.
- Mares that expressed estrus were inseminated with fresh semen and checked for pregnancy between the 11th and the 20th day following ovulation.
Results
- The eFSH treatment led to 100% of mares developing follicles of 35mm or larger, with 73% ovulating and 75% conceiving.
- In comparison, 45% of the mares in the pFSH group developed follicles of 35mm or more, 36% ovulated and, of those, 75% conceived.
- eFSH treatment resulted in greater ovarian stimulation, a larger number of pre-ovulatory-sized follicles, more ovulations, and a higher number of embryos (p < 0.05), indicating that the treatment is statistically significant.
- Post ovulation, serum progesterone concentrations correlated with the number of Corpus luteum (CLs), which supported early embryonic development. All the pregnant mares showed maternal recognition of pregnancy.
Conclusion
- The researchers concluded that eFSH can effectively stimulate follicular growth and ovulation in transitional mares. However, there is an increased risk of twins’ pregnancies, hence, careful monitoring and management of twins’ pregnancies would be required before day 16.
- The current treatment regime using pFSH was not recommended due to its lower efficiency compared to eFSH.
Cite This Article
APA
Raz T, Amorim MD, Stover BC, Card CE.
(2009).
Ovulation, pregnancy rate and early embryonic development in vernal transitional mares treated with equine- or porcine-FSH.
Reprod Domest Anim, 45(2), 287-294.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01296.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. tal.raz@usask.ca
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Estradiol / blood
- Female
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone / pharmacology
- Horses / embryology
- Horses / physiology
- Ovulation / drug effects
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Rate
- Progesterone / blood
- Seasons
- Swine
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
