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Survival of day-4 embryos from young, normal mares and aged, subfertile mares after transfer to normal recipient mares.
Abstract: The estimated embryonic loss rate between Days 4 and 14 after ovulation for young, normal mares (9%) was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than the estimated embryonic loss rate for aged subfertile mares (62%). Fertilization rates, which were based on the recovery of embryos at Day 4 after ovulation, were 96% and 81% (P less than 0.1) for normal and subfertile mares, respectively. Day-4 embryos were collected from the oviducts of normal and subfertile donors mares. These embryos were transferred to the uteri of synchronized, normal recipient mares to test the hypothesis that the high incidence of embryonic loss in subfertile mares was related to embryonic defects. The hypothesis was supported because embryo survival rates were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) for Day-4 embryos from normal compared to subfertile mares. These defects may have been intrinsic to the embryo or might have arisen due to the influence of the oviducal environment before Day 4 after ovulation.
Publication Date: 1989-01-01 PubMed ID: 2915352DOI: 10.1530/jrf.0.0850187Google 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
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 study examines the survival rate of day-4 embryos from both young, healthy mares and older, subfertile mares after being transferred to healthy recipient mares. The research found that the embryonic loss rate in the latter group was much higher than in the former, suggesting that the embryonic loss may be due to inherent flaws in the embryos or potential effects of their initial environment.
Key Findings
- The study showed that the estimated embryonic loss rate between Days 4 and 14 after ovulation for young, normal mares (9%) was significantly lower than the estimated embryonic loss rate for aged subfertile mares (62%). This difference was statistically significant and could suggest a decline in fertility as mares age.
- Fertilization rates were also compared. Normal mares had a 96% fertilization rate, while subfertile mares had a lower rate of 81%. Though the difference fell shy of the traditional threshold for statistical significance (p<0.05), this still indicated a possible fertility issue among older, subfertile mares.
Embryo Transfer and Outcome
- Day-4 embryos were collected from both normal and subfertile mares. This was done to test a hypothesis that the high incidence of embryonic loss in subfertile mares was related to inherent defects in the embryos. These embryos were then transferred to the uteri of synchronized, normal recipient mares.
- The results supported the afore-mentioned hypothesis, as the study showed embryo survival rates were significantly higher for Day-4 embryos from normal mares compared to subfertile ones. This could mean that the offspring of subfertile mares face higher risks during early development.
Possible Reasons for Embryo Loss
- The cause of embryo loss among the subfertile mares could be due to inherent defects within the embryos. Alternatively, it might result from the influence of the oviducal environment before Day 4 after ovulation. The oviducal environment can have negative effects on the embryos, which could be particularly detrimental during the early stages of development.
Implications of the Study
- This study provides vital information on equine reproduction, specifically regarding fertility rates and the survival of embryos in mares.
- Understanding the causes of embryo loss in mares could frame the development of strategies to increase the survival rate of horse embryos, and hence, improve the overall fertility performance in equine species.
Cite This Article
APA
Ball BA, Little TV, Weber JA, Woods GL.
(1989).
Survival of day-4 embryos from young, normal mares and aged, subfertile mares after transfer to normal recipient mares.
J Reprod Fertil, 85(1), 187-194.
https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0850187 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853.
MeSH Terms
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Embryo Transfer / veterinary
- Female
- Fertility
- Fetal Death / veterinary
- Horses / physiology
- Pregnancy
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Siemieniuch-Tartanus M. The early pregnancy in mares - What do we still not know?. Vet Anim Sci 2025 Jun;28:100441.
- Donato GG, Necchi D, Vandaele H, Vita ME, Bertero A, Vincenti L, Nervo T. Influence of Intrauterine Fluid Detection, Number of Transfers and Age of the Recipient on Pregnancy Rate and Early Embryonic Loss in a Commercial Embryo Transfer Program. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 29;13(11).
- Roach J, Arango Sabogal JC, Smith K, Foote A, Verheyen K, de Mestre AM. Multivariable analysis to determine risk factors associated with abortion in mares. Reprod Fertil 2022 Nov 1;3(4):301-12.
- Inoue S. Influence of broodmare aging on its offspring's racing performance. PLoS One 2022;17(7):e0271535.
- Derisoud E, Jouneau L, Dubois C, Archilla C, Jaszczyszyn Y, Legendre R, Daniel N, Peynot N, Dahirel M, Auclair-Ronzaud J, Wimel L, Duranthon V, Chavatte-Palmer P. Maternal age affects equine day 8 embryo gene expression both in trophoblast and inner cell mass. BMC Genomics 2022 Jun 15;23(1):443.
- Benammar A, Derisoud E, Vialard F, Palmer E, Ayoubi JM, Poulain M, Chavatte-Palmer P. The Mare: A Pertinent Model for Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies?. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 4;11(8).
- Rizzo M, du Preez N, Ducheyne KD, Deelen C, Beitsma MM, Stout TAE, de Ruijter-Villani M. The horse as a natural model to study reproductive aging-induced aneuploidy and weakened centromeric cohesion in oocytes. Aging (Albany NY) 2020 Nov 2;12(21):22220-22232.
- Rizzo M, Ducheyne KD, Deelen C, Beitsma M, Cristarella S, Quartuccio M, Stout TAE, de Ruijter-Villani M. Advanced mare age impairs the ability of in vitro-matured oocytes to correctly align chromosomes on the metaphase plate. Equine Vet J 2019 Mar;51(2):252-257.
- Aurich C, Budik S. Early pregnancy in the horse revisited - does exception prove the rule?. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2015;6:50.
- Huhtinen M, Reilas T, Katila T. Recovery rate and quality of embryos from mares inseminated at the first post-partum oestrus. Acta Vet Scand 1996;37(3):343-50.
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