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Home / Equine Research Bank / Theriogenology / Testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone con...
Theriogenology2018; 123; 62-67; doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.09.025

Testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations in pregnant Spanish Purebred mare.

Abstract: Androgens modulate maternal ovarian activity, embryo implantation and correct placental development. The objective of this study was to establish reference values for testosterone (T), androstenedione (A4) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentrations in pregnant mares. A total of 30 healthy Spanish Purebred mares with an age range of 9.33 ± 3.31 years, were studied during the 11 months of gestation. T, A4 and DHEA concentrations were determined using EIA validated specifically for equines. T increased in the 2nd and 3rd month (P < 0.05), showing a plateau between the 4th and 6th month, decreased from the 7th to the 9th month (P < 0.05) and increased in the 10th month (P < 0.05), reaching the maximum value in the last month of pregnancy (P < 0.05). A4 increased in the 2nd month (P < 0.05), reaching the maximum value in the 3rd month (P < 0.05), decreased in the 4th month, increasing in the 5th and 6th month (P < 0.05). From the 7th month the average values decreased until reaching the minimum at the end of gestation. DHEA progressively increased from the 1st to the 5th month, at which time the maximum mean value was reached (P < 0.05), after a decrease in the 6th and 7th month occurred (P < 0.05), reaching the minimum value in the last month of gestation. T, A4 and DHEA were positive and significantly correlated (P < 0.05). The androgens analyzed in this study can be used as predictive markers of pregnancy in the mare.
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Publication Date: 2018-09-26 PubMed ID: 30292857DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.09.025Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article investigates the concentrations of certain hormones (testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone) in pregnant Spanish Purebred mares, aiming to set reference values and understand their role in mare pregnancy.

Objective and Method

  • The primary focus of the study was to establish benchmark levels for testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in pregnant Spanish Purebred mares. These hormones or androgens play a crucial role in managing maternal ovarian activity, embryo implantation, and placental development.
  • The researchers observed a sample of 30 healthy Spanish Purebred mares over the course of their 11 months of gestation.
  • The concentrations of T, A, and DHEA were gauged using Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA), a method specifically validated for equines.

Findings

  • Testosterone (T) level rose during the 2nd and 3rd month, showed stability from the 4th till the 6th month, dropped from the 7th to the 9th month, and again increased in the 10th month. The peak was achieved in the final month of pregnancy.
  • Androstenedione (A) displayed an increase in the second month and reached its highest level in the third month. It dropped in the 4th month, followed by an increase in the 5th and 6th month. A noticeable decrease in average values was observed from the 7th month onwards, hitting the lowest level by the end of the gestation period.
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) showed a progressive increase from the 1st month till the 5th month, peaking in the 5th month. Subsequently, a decrease was noticed in the 6th and 7th months, reaching the minimum level in the final month of pregnancy.
  • There was a positive and significant correlation identified among the three androgens (T, A, and DHEA).

Implication of the Study

  • The results obtained contribute to the understanding of hormonal behavior during mare gestation.
  • The study implies that measurement of these androgens’ concentration could be used as predictive markers of pregnancy in mares, which can help manage and monitor mare health better during gestation.

Cite This Article

APA
Satué K, Marcilla M, Medica P, Ferlazzo A, Fazio E. (2018). Testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations in pregnant Spanish Purebred mare. Theriogenology, 123, 62-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.09.025

Publication

Theriogenology
ISSN: 1879-3231
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 123
Pages: 62-67

Researcher Affiliations

Satué, Katiuska
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: ksatue@uchceu.es.
Marcilla, María
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, Valencia, Spain.
Medica, Pietro
  • Departament of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina University, Italy.
Ferlazzo, Adriana
  • Departament of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina University, Italy.
Fazio, Esterina
  • Departament of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina University, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Androstenedione / blood
  • Animals
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / blood
  • Female
  • Horses / genetics
  • Horses / physiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Animal / blood
  • Testosterone / blood

Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Arbogast DM, Metrione LC, Jones MK, Donelan EM, Roth TL, Freeman EW, Rispoli LA. Pregnancy- and age-associated variation in serum dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations in black and white rhinoceroses. Conserv Physiol 2026;14(1):coag007.
    doi: 10.1093/conphys/coag007pubmed: 41695197google scholar: lookup
  2. Veronesi MC, Cotticelli A, Pividori I, Giombolini M, Corazzin M, Ellero L, Peric T. From Pre-Foaling to Late Pregnancy: Cortisol, DHEA(S), Progesterone, 17-β-Estradiol, and Allopregnanolone Hair Concentration Profiles in Standardbred Mares. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 23;15(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15030324pubmed: 39943094google scholar: lookup
  3. Lanci A, Mariella J, Ellero N, Faoro A, Peric T, Prandi A, Freccero F, Castagnetti C. Hair Cortisol and DHEA-S in Foals and Mares as a Retrospective Picture of Feto-Maternal Relationship under Physiological and Pathological Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 14;12(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12101266pubmed: 35625111google scholar: lookup
  4. Hicks GR, Fraser NS, Bertin FR. Changes Associated with the Peri-Ovulatory Period, Age and Pregnancy in ACTH, Cortisol, Glucose and Insulin Concentrations in Mares. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 20;11(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11030891pubmed: 33804751google scholar: lookup
  5. Gabai G, Mongillo P, Giaretta E, Marinelli L. Do Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Its Sulfate (DHEAS) Play a Role in the Stress Response in Domestic Animals?. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:588835.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.588835pubmed: 33195624google scholar: lookup
  6. Satué K, Fazio E, Medica P. Can the Presence of Ovarian Corpus Luteum Modify the Hormonal Composition of Follicular Fluid in Mares?. Animals (Basel) 2020 Apr 9;10(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10040646pubmed: 32283596google scholar: lookup
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