Serum profiles of vitamins A, E and D in mares and foals during different seasons.
Abstract: Twenty mares and 15 foals of the Finnhorse breed were used to determine serum levels of vitamins A, E and D during different seasons. Monthly serum samples were analyzed from mares for 22 mo and from foals for 13 mo after birth. The horses were kept on pasture from early June until early October and in stables during the winter months. Seasonal differences (P less than .001) were found in serum retinol, retinol to protein ratio, alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocopherol to cholesterol ratio. Values were lowest from February through May and highest from June through August. Serum levels of retinol and alpha-tocopherol of the foals were much lower (P less than .001) than in mares during the first 4 mo of life. As in the mares, serum levels of retinol and alpha-tocopherol decreased (P less than .001) in winter. At 1 yr of age, serum levels of these vitamins increased rapidly on pasture to values that were close to those found in adult horses. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were very low throughout the year. However, a small seasonal variation also was found in 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in the mares. Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels in pregnant mares in winter were similar to those found in lactating mares in summer. These levels also were low compared with those in animals of other species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1988-06-01 PubMed ID: 3397359DOI: 10.2527/jas1988.6661418xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article studies the serum levels of vitamins A, E, and D in Finnhorse mares and their foals across different seasons. The results show seasonal variations in the levels of specific vitamins, highlighting environmental factors potentially influencing equine health.
Objective and Sample Population
- The researchers assessed the serum levels of vitamins A (retinol), E (alpha-tocopherol), and D (25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) in a population of 20 Finnhorse mares and their 15 foals across different times of the year.
- The study spanned 22 months for the adult horses, and the first 13 months after birth for the foals. These horses spent the warm months on pastures (from June to October) and were housed in stables during winter.
Key Findings
- Results indicated significant seasonal variations (P < .001) in the amount of retinol, and its ratio to protein, alpha-tocopherol, and its ratio to cholesterol in the blood. The values were noted to be the lowest from February to May and highest from June to August.
- In comparison to the adult horses, the levels of retinol and alpha-tocopherol in foals were significantly lower (P < .001) during the first four months of their lives.
- Like the adult horses, the serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels in foals also decreased significantly in winter (P < .001).
- However, upon reaching one year of age, the levels of these vitamins in foals rose rapidly when they were grazing in the pastures, coming close to the values found in the adults.
- Throughout the year, the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were very low in both mares and foals. Despite this, minor seasonal variations were observed.
- The serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels in pregnant mares in winter were about equal to those found in lactating mares in summer, both being low compared to other animal species.
Significance
- The study sheds light on the influence of environmental factors, such as availability of sunlight and dietary changes, on equine health. Seasonal variations in vitamin levels may have implications for their overall health and development.
- The significantly lower levels of essential vitamins in foals could suggest a particular vulnerability during their formative months and warrant further investigation for preventive care and dietary adjustments.
Cite This Article
APA
Mäenpää PH, Koskinen T, Koskinen E.
(1988).
Serum profiles of vitamins A, E and D in mares and foals during different seasons.
J Anim Sci, 66(6), 1418-1423.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1988.6661418x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Kuopio, Dept. of Biochem., Finland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Dihydroxycholecalciferols / blood
- Female
- Horses / blood
- Hydroxycholecalciferols / blood
- Seasons
- Vitamin A / blood
- Vitamin D / blood
- Vitamin E / blood
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Dosi MCM, Riggs CM, May J, Lee A, Cillan-Garcia E, Pagan J, McGorum BC. Thoroughbred Racehorses in Hong Kong Require Vitamin D Supplementation to Mitigate the Risk of Low Vitamin D Status. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 29;13(13).
- Hurst EA, Homer NZ, Mellanby RJ. Vitamin D Metabolism and Profiling in Veterinary Species. Metabolites 2020 Sep 15;10(9).
- Pitel MO, McKenzie EC, Johns JL, Stuart RL. Influence of specific management practices on blood selenium, vitamin E, and beta-carotene concentrations in horses and risk of nutritional deficiency. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Sep;34(5):2132-2141.
- Coleman MC, Whitfield-Cargile CM, Madrigal RG, Cohen ND. Comparison of the microbiome, metabolome, and lipidome of obese and non-obese horses. PLoS One 2019;14(4):e0215918.
- Burns EN, Finno CJ. Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy: prevalence, impact, and management. Vet Med (Auckl) 2018;9:63-67.
- Loder RT, Todhunter RJ. The Demographics of Canine Hip Dysplasia in the United States and Canada. J Vet Med 2017;2017:5723476.
- Azarpeykan S, Dittmer KE, Marshall JC, Perera KC, Gee EK, Acke E, Thompson KG. Evaluation and Comparison of Vitamin D Responsive Gene Expression in Ovine, Canine and Equine Kidney. PLoS One 2016;11(9):e0162598.
- Finno CJ, Estell KE, Katzman S, Winfield L, Rendahl A, Textor J, Bannasch DL, Puschner B. Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid α-Tocopherol and Selenium Concentrations in Neonatal Foals with Neuroaxonal Dystrophy. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Nov-Dec;29(6):1667-75.
- Trombetta MF, Accorsi PA, Falaschini A. Effect of β-carotene Supplementation on Italian Trotter Mare Peripartum. J Equine Sci 2010;21(1):1-6.
- Blakley BR, Bell RJ. The vitamin A and vitamin E status of horses raised in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Can Vet J 1994 May;35(5):297-300.
- Orzołek A, Rafalska KT, Domosławska-Wyderska A, Rafalska AM, Dziekońska A, Jastrzębska E, Dobbek D. The effect of solarium light therapy on selected biological and biochemical parameters of peripheral blood in young and old horses. PLoS One 2024;19(5):e0304290.
- Etemadi F, Tabatabaei Naeini A, Aminlari M. Assessment of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and PTH levels in sera of lame horses. Vet Med Sci 2023 Sep;9(5):2070-2077.
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