Uterine Involution of Mares Supplemented with Dietary Algae-Derived Omega-3 Fatty Acids During the Peripartum Period.

The research investigates the impact of supplementing mares’ diet with omega-3 fatty acids derived from algae during the time surrounding birth on post-birth uterine recovery and follicular dynamics.

Objective and Methodology

• The primary objective of this study was to scrutinize the influence of a diet supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) rich algae on the post-birth uterine recovery process and follicular dynamics in mares.
• 18 pregnant mares of no particular breed were randomized into two groups for the study. One group was fed a control diet (CONT), while the other group’s diet was supplemented with DHA-rich algae at 0.06 g/kg body weight (BW) (ALG).
• The dietary regimen was administered 90 days prior to the expected foaling date and continued until 7 days after the first ovulation post-foaling.
• Throughout the early post-partum period, up to 7 days after the first ovulation, the mares’ reproductive health were monitored via rectal palpation and ultrasonography.
• The parameters measured included uterine and endometrium diameters, volume of intrauterine fluid (IUF), uterine echogenicity (reflectivity of the ultrasound waves), uterus tone, and the dynamics of follicular development.
• Endometrial cell samples were also collected to analyze mRNA expression of certain genes (CRP, IL-1β and AKR1C4) using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), a technique used to measure levels of gene expression.

Results

• The ALG group exhibited smaller uterine horn diameters and higher uterine echogenicity during the post-partum period compared to the CONT group.
• No significant difference in other measured parameters was evident between the two groups.
• However, measurements such as uterine and endometrium diameter, level of IUF, uterine echogenicity, and transcript abundance of endometrial AKR1C4 varied with the passing of days during the early post-partum period, implying a temporal change irrespective of diet supplementation.

Conclusion

• Based on the results, the study suggests that supplementing a mare’s diet with DHA during the period surrounding birth could potentially enhance the involution process (the return of the uterus to its normal size) and increase the chances of early conception.
• However, the authors emphasized the need for further research to validate the conclusions, particularly in relation to the impact of such dietary supplementation on overall fertility.