Plasma relaxin, estrogens and progestogens concentration in coldblooded and hot-blood mares in the second half of gestation.

The research article discusses the role of certain hormone levels (relaxin, estrogens and progestogens) in determining the health of gestational pregnancies in coldblooded and hot-blood mares. The study found that coldblooded mares have less concentration of these hormones, which could contribute to complicated parturitions needing veterinarian intervention.

Objective of the Study

• The main intention of this research was to establish and compare the concentration of relaxin, estrone sulphate (E1S), estradiol-17β (E2), and progestogens in the plasma of both pregnant coldblooded (CB) and hot-blood (HB) mares during the later half of their gestation period.

Methodology

• Blood samples were extracted from 94 healthy mares that were in the second half of their gestation period and had known mating dates.
• The samples encompassed 36 CB mares aged between 3 to 16 years and 58 HB mares with ages ranging from 4 to 17 years.
• Commercial kits specifically designed to measure hormone concentration in equine species were utilized to gauge the levels of the hormones relaxin, E1S, E2, and progestogens in the blood samples.

Findings

• The research discovered that the level of serum relaxin in CB mares was nearly three times lower compared to HB mares.
• Similarly, the concentration of estrone sulphate (E1S) and estradiol-17β (E2) in CB mares was found to be almost twice as low as those in HB mares.
• The results indicated a significant differentiation in the hormonal values of CB and HB mares, which were subjected to statistical analysis using a probability value (P-value) of less than 0.05.

Conclusion

• The researchers concluded that the substantially low concentration of relaxin in CB mares might be a potential reason for the observed higher incidence of difficult childbirths requiring veterinary assistance in these breeds.