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Reproductive Disorders in Donkeys: Current Evidence and Update.
Abstract: Reproductive disorders in donkeys present a significant challenge to their health and welfare, impacting their roles in agriculture, conservation, and companionship. With the development of large-scale donkey farming in recent years, reproductive disorders have become a limiting factor for the expansion of the donkey population. In general, donkeys suffer from a similar array of diseases like horses, but little is known about the specificities of donkey reproductive disorders. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the pathogenesis, distribution, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of a diverse array of reproductive disorders affecting donkeys. There are similar infectious and non-infectious causes for infertility and pregnancy loss in jennies compared with mares, but a difference in disease susceptibility does exist, which may be attributed to genetic influence, pathogen specificity, the environment, and reproductive management practices. Diagnostic and treatment plans need to be tailored towards the particularities of donkey reproductive disorders to increase donkey populations and to enhance the standard of care for this species. Enhancing reproductive health in donkeys not only ensures their sustainable use but also promotes their welfare and longevity in diverse human-animal interactions.
Publication Date: 2024-08-28 PubMed ID: 39272279DOI: 10.3390/ani14172494Google 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
- 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 paper is about reproductive health issues in donkeys and how they pose a challenge to their well-being, thereby affecting their roles in various fields. The study attempts to present a comprehensive understanding of these conditions, explaining their causes, diagnosis, and treatment specific to donkeys.
Objective of the research:
The primary goal of this study is to reveal the impact of reproductive disorders on donkeys and their implications. Despite the recognized similarity between diseases in horses and donkeys, the specific dynamics and complexities of reproductive issues in this species are yet to be explicitly outlined. As a result, understanding and addressing these disorders is integral not just for their health and well-being, but also for expanding the donkey population, which is experiencing growth due to large-scale farming practices.
Reproductive disorders in Donkeys:
- The study identifies various reproductive disorders impacting donkeys – both infectious and non-infectious. These have notable similarities with those affecting horses, particularly infertility and pregnancy loss in female donkeys (referred to as jennies).
- Despite this similarity, differences in disease susceptibility exist, which may be attributed to a range of factors including genetics, pathogen specificity, environmental factors, and reproductive practices specific to donkeys.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
- Given the unique nature of reproductive disorders in donkeys, the research asserts the necessity for specialized diagnostic and treatment plans. These must consider the particularities of donkey biology and health to effectively combat these disorders and pave the pathway neither for population expansion nor for improvement in the standard of their healthcare.
Implications of the Research:
- The research findings aim to enhance the reproductive health of donkeys, ensuring their proper use and welfare. This, in turn, leads to improved longevity and healthier human-animal interactions, as donkeys are frequently used in areas of agriculture, conservation, and provide companionship to humans.
Cite This Article
APA
Wang Z, Zeng S, Wang Y, Wang T, Qu H, Zhu Y, Li J.
(2024).
Reproductive Disorders in Donkeys: Current Evidence and Update.
Animals (Basel), 14(17), 2494.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14172494 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Clinical Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-Based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co., Ltd., Liaocheng 252200, China.
- Shandong Dong-E Black Donkey Animal Husbandry Technology Co., Ltd., Dong-E-E-Jiao Co., Ltd., Liaocheng 252200, China.
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-Based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co., Ltd., Liaocheng 252200, China.
- Equine Clinical Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
- Equine Clinical Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
Grant Funding
- 2023YFD130200401 / National Key Research and Development Program of China
- 32202861 / National Natural Science Foundation of China
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Ullah A, Khan MZ, Wang C. Overview of Donkey Welfare and Husbandry Practices in Asia. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 1;15(23).
- Zhu Q, Khan MZ, Peng Y, Wang C. A Comparative Review of Donkey Genetic Resources, Production Traits, and Industrial Utilization: Perspectives from China and Globally. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 21;15(23).
- Khan MZ, Li Y, Zhu M, Li M, Wang T, Zhang Z, Liu W, Ma Q, Wang C. Advances in Donkey Disease Surveillance and Microbiome Characterization in China. Microorganisms 2025 Mar 26;13(4).
- Zhang ZD, Xiao HD, Wang DY, Su N, Liu XZ, Wang ZR, Xie SC, Zhu XQ, Zhang S, Gao WW. Molecular prevalence and associated risk factors of Entamoeba spp. in donkeys in Shanxi Province, North China. Parasit Vectors 2025 Feb 5;18(1):42.
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