Plasma activin A concentrations during late gestation in Thoroughbred mares with abnormal pregnancies.
Abstract: Late-term fetal loss in horses is a major problem in the horse-breeding industry globally. Abnormal pregnancies should be diagnosed as early as possible to prevent abortions and other gestational problems. According to our previous longitudinal study in healthy pregnant mares, the plasma activin A concentration increases as pregnancy progresses. The aim of the present study was to compare plasma activin A concentrations in healthy pregnant Thoroughbred mares (n=40) with those in pregnant mares that suffered fetal loss or showed abnormal symptoms (n=30) during late gestation. This field study found that plasma activin A concentrations were higher in the abnormal group (pregnancy loss, red bag delivery, premature udder development, and vaginal discharge) than the normal group (P < 0.001; cutoff value: ≥ 138.2 pg/mL; sensitivity, 74.4%; specificity, 77.5%). More specifically, plasma activin A concentrations in the "symptom" and "abnormal delivery" subgroups were higher than those in gestational-age-matched normal groups (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, the plasma activin A concentration in the "normal delivery" subgroup was not different from that in the "abnormal delivery" subgroup in samples collected within 10 days before delivery. In conclusion, this study is the first to demonstrate a significantly earlier increase in plasma activin A concentration in abnormal pregnancies of Thoroughbred mares during late gestation.
Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2022-12-02 PubMed ID: 36470514DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104184Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study investigates the correlation between plasma activin A concentration and abnormal late gestation pregnancies in Thoroughbred mares. The findings suggest that elevated plasma activin A levels can be a marker for detecting fetal loss and other gestational complications in horses.
Objective of the Study
- The main objective of the research was to determine if higher levels of plasma activin A can be indicative of abnormal pregnancies in Thoroughbred mares. The goal was to identify these issues as early as possible to prevent fetal loss and other gestational problems.
Study Design and Participants
- The researchers conducted a field study involving 70 Thoroughbred mares. The group was divided into two; 40 healthy pregnant mares and 30 mares that either suffered fetal loss or displayed symptoms of abnormal pregnancy.
Methods and Measurements
- The researchers measured and compared the plasma activin A concentrations in both groups. Concentrations were particularly compared in the “symptom” and “abnormal delivery” subgroups against those in their gestational-age-matched peers from the normal group.
Key Findings
- The study revealed that the plasma activin A concentrations were notably higher in mares with abnormal pregnancy symptoms compared to the healthy group. The elevated levels were detected in issues such as pregnancy loss, red bag delivery, premature udder development, and vaginal discharge.
- However, there was no significant difference in plasma activin A concentration between the “normal delivery” and “abnormal delivery” subgroups when samples were collected 10 days prior to delivery.
Conclusions and Implications
- This study underlined the potential of plasma activin A as a biomarker for early detection of pregnancy complications in Thoroughbred mares, helping prevent late-term fetal loss.
- These findings are critical to the global horse-breeding industry, providing a basis for further research on equine abnormal pregnancy diagnostics and prevention.
Cite This Article
APA
Tsogtgerel M, Murase H, Moriyama H, Sato F, Nambo Y.
(2022).
Plasma activin A concentrations during late gestation in Thoroughbred mares with abnormal pregnancies.
J Equine Vet Sci, 120, 104184.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104184 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan; School of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, 17024, Mongolia.
- Equine Science Division, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido, 057-0171, Japan.
- Equine Department, Japan Racing Association, Tokyo, 105-0003, Japan.
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi, 329-0412, Japan.
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan. Electronic address: ynambo@obihiro.ac.jp.
MeSH Terms
- Pregnancy
- Animals
- Horses
- Female
- Activins
- Gestational Age
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of interest The authors report no conflict of interest.
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