Effects of maternal dietary supplementation with antioxidants on clinical status of mares and their foal.

BACKGROUND: The peripartum period constitutes a delicate physiological moment in mares showing a transient state of oxidative stress. Diet supplementation with antioxidants during pregnancy in women appears to have a beneficial effect on mother and neonate health. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of diet supplementation with a commercial product containing a mix of antioxidants (Oxyliver®, Candioli) on the length of gestation, weight, and haemato-biochemical parameters in Italian Salernitano mares and their newborn foals. Eight late-term pregnant mares were randomly divided into two groups: Antiox group receiving 30 g/day of antioxidants, and Car group receiving the same amount of carrot powder, from 290 to 320 days of gestation. The following parameters were evaluated in mares: weight, colostrum composition, haemato-biochemical parameters, progesterone, and cortisol blood concentrations, along with blood oxidant/antioxidant status. Assessments were conducted at specific time points: immediately before the start of diet supplementation (T0), 15 days after (T1), at the end of diet supplementation (T2), within 8 h after parturition (T3), and 10 days post-partum (T4). Foal parameters such as weight, haemato-biochemical values, cortisol concentration, and blood oxidative stress variables were assessed within 8 h of birth (TF0) and at 10 days of age (TF1). RESULTS: Pregnancy was shorter in the Antiox group (P < 0.05) compared with the Car group; the foals' weight increase of group Antiox (40%) was higher (P < 0.05) compared to those of the Car group (28.6%). The colostrum of the Antiox group exhibited higher levels of Brix, total solids, protein, nonfat solids, casein, urea, density, free fatty acids, and glucose, while lower levels of fat and lactose were observed compared to the Car group (P < 0.05). Mares' serum albumin at T1 and T3, creatinine, glucose, total proteins, total bilirubin, AST, and ALT at T3 were lower in Antiox than in the Car group. No significant differences were found in foals. CONCLUSIONS: While the limited sample size and the potential variability of evaluated parameters, the observed outcomes suggest that Oxyliver® supplementation in mares might safely decrease gestation length and enhance liver function, thus potentially improving colostrum quality and offspring development.

Equine Placentitis in Mares Induces the Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine eIL-1ß and the Active Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-9.

Equine placentitis is characterized by infection and inflammation of the placenta. Different biomarkers associated with this inflammatory response have been evaluated in experimentally induced equine placentitis, but not in pregnant mares with spontaneous placentitis. The aim of the current study was to determine the concentration of eIL-1ß and the activity of proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 in the serum of healthy mares and mares with placentitis on days 240 and 320 of gestation to explore whether these biomarkers are associated with equine maternal placentitis and/or with the birth of an infected or inviable foals. Serum samples were collected from sixteen pregnant English Thoroughbred mares, retrospectively classified as follows: (1) healthy mares with full-term gestation; and (2) mares with ultrasonographic signs of placentitis. The health of each foal was examined at birth, and it was decided to classify the cases into four groups: (1) healthy mares delivering a healthy foals (HM-HF, n = 6); (2) mares with USP delivering a healthy foal (USP-HF, n = 3); (3) mares with USP delivering a live septic foal (USP-LSeF, n = 4); and (4) mares with USP delivering a dead foal (USP-DF, n = 3). eIL-1ß was quantified by ELISA, and proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity by gelatin zymography electrophoresis. In healthy mares, the serum concentrations of eIL-1ß underwent a significant 16.5-fold increase from day 240 to day 320 of gestation. Although similar results were found in the mares with ultrasonographic signs of placentitis that delivered a healthy foal, those delivering a live septic or nonviable foal exhibited much higher concentrations of eIL-1ß. proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity was not associated with maternal placentitis, foal infection, or death. Hence, the presence of placentitis severe enough to affect the health of the foal can be confirmed or discarded by determining the eIL-1ß concentration in mares that have shown ultrasonographic signs of placentitis.

Using On-Farm Monitoring of Ergovaline and Tall Fescue Composition for Horse Pasture Management.

Central Kentucky horse pastures contain significant populations of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea (Schreb.) Dumort) infected with an endophyte (Epichloë coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) Bacon and Schardl) known to produce several ergot alkaloids, with ergovaline in the highest concentration. While most classes of horses are not adversely affected by average levels of ergovaline in pastures, late term pregnant mares have a low tolerance to ergovaline and the related ergot alkaloids. Endophyte-infected tall fescue has been known to cause prolonged gestation, thickened placenta, dystocia, agalactia, and foal and mare mortality. The University of Kentucky Horse Pasture Evaluation Program utilizes ergovaline and endophyte testing, as well as pasture species composition, to calculate ergovaline in the total diet in broodmare pastures. This data is used to develop detailed management recommendations for individual pastures. Application of these recommendations has led to reduced tall fescue toxicity symptoms on these farms, as well as improved pasture management and improved forage quality and quantity.

Development of a weight-estimation model to use in pregnant criollo-type mares / Modelo para estimativa de peso em éguas gestantes mestiças crioulas

ABSTRACT: The aims of this study were: 1) to compare the tape weight and associated weight-estimation formula to evaluate weight gain in pregnant mares, and 2) to develop a mathematical model to estimate the weight of pregnant mares using body measurements. Thirty-four criollo-type mares were evaluated every two weeks during the middle and late pregnancy. The mares were weighed on a livestock scale, and we estimated body weight using tape weights and an associated body-weight estimation formula. Also, heart-girth circumference (heartgirth) and abdominal circumference were measured; the latter at the 12th intercostal space (12th ICS) and 18th rib (18th Rib), to use in a mathematical model to estimate the weight of pregnant mares. Observations were divided into three periods of pregnancy: 5th to 7 h month, 7th to 9 h month, and 9th to 11th month. Mares in late pregnancy showed an increase in actual weight and an increase in 12th ICS and 18th Rib measurements. Tape weight and body-weight estimation formula underestimated the weight of pregnant mares. However, the regression model using heart-girth circumference, 12th ICS, and 18th Rib measurements showed high correlation (r2 = 0.87, P<0.001) with actual weight. Finally, the alternative methods usually used in horses are not accurate to estimate body weight in pregnant mares. In conclusion, the regression model Y=-540.143 + (heartgirth x 3.068) + (12th ICS x 1.278) + (18th Rib x 0.944) can be used to estimate body weight in pregnant mares from the 5th to 11th months of pregnancy.

RESUMO: Este estudo teve como objetivos: 1) comparar a utilização dos métodos alternativos fita de pesagem e peso metabólico em éguas gestantes e; 2) desenvolver um modelo matemático para estimar o peso de éguas gestantes, baseado em medidas corporais. Trinta e quatro éguas foram avaliadas quinzenalmente durante o terço médio e final da gestação. Foi realizada a pesagem em balança comercial; a mensuração com a fita de peso para equinos; o cálculo do peso metabólico; as medidas de perímetro torácico (Ptorac); a mensuração abdominal no décimo segundo espaço intercostal (12EI) e na décima oitava costela (18Cost). As observações foram divididas em três períodos gestacionais: Período de 5 a 7 meses, Período de 7 a 9 meses e Período de 9 a 11 meses. As éguas demonstraram incremento no peso na balança e na mensuração abdominal no 12EI e 18Cost no terço final da gestação. A utilização da fita de pesagem e o cálculo de peso metabólico subestimaram o peso na balança em éguas gestantes. O modelo de regressão utilizando o Ptorac, 12EI e 18Cost apresentou alta correção (r2=0,87; P<0,001) com o peso na balança. Observou-se que os métodos alternativos de pesagem, usualmente utilizados, não apresentaram a mesma eficiência em éguas prenhes. Pode-se concluir que o modelo de regressão Y=-540,143+(Ptorac X 3,068) + (12EI X 1,278) + (18Cost X 0,944) pode ser utilizado para mensurar o peso em éguas gestantes a partir do 5º mês de gestação.

Hematological values and total protein of Brasileiro de Hipismo and Breton mares during pregnancy

Estudaram-se as variáveis eritrométricas, leucométricas e a concentração de proteína total (PT) de éguas gestantes das raças Brasileiro de Hipismo (BH) e Bretão. Utilizaram-se 175 éguas sadias, com 3 a 13 anos de idade. Dentre as éguas utilizadas, 89 foram da raça BH, divididas em 14 não-prenhes e 75 prenhes, e 86 éguas da raça Bretão divididas em 11 não-prenhes e 75 prenhes. As éguas foram subdivididas em quatro grupos por raça: grupo controle (éguas não-prenhes, n=14 para BH e n=11 para Bretão); grupo I (primeiro período de gestação, 25-110 dias, n=25 para BH e Bretão), grupo II (segundo período de gestação, 111-210 dias, n=25 para BH e Bretão); e grupo III (terceiro período de gestação, 211-340 dias, n=25 para BH e Bretão). Os valores médios de cada variável eritrométrica, leucométrica e de proteína total foram obtidos para cada raça e, posteriormente, realizou-se comparação entre as mesmas. O número de hemácias (He), volume globular (VG) e teor de hemoglobina (Hb) aumentaram no segundo período de gestação e diminuíram no último período tanto para a raça BH, como para a raça Bretão. Além disso, essas mesmas variáveis apresentaram diferença estatística significativa tanto nas éguas não-prenhas como nas prenhes durante os três períodos gestacionais. Os valores médios obtidos de leucócitos e neutrófilos segmentados aumentaram a partir do segundo período de gestação para as duas raças estudadas.

Erythrocyte and leukocyte parameters and total protein (TP) of Brasileiro de Hipismo (BH) and Breton mares were studied during pregnancy. A total of 175 healthy mares, varying from 3 to 13 years old were used. Among the animals, 89 were BH mares (14 non pregnant and 75 pregnant) and 86 Breton mares (11 non pregnant and 75 pregnant). The mares were divided into four groups for each breed: control group (non pregnant mares). group 1 (first period of pregnancy, 25-110 days, n=25), group 2 (second period of pregnancy, 111-210 days, n=25) and group 3 (third period of pregnancy, 211-340 days, n=25). The values for erythrocyte, leukocyte were compared with the obtained total protein. Red blood cells count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin concentration (Hb) increased in the second period of pregnancy and decreased in the last period in both the BH and Breton breed, furthermore these same variables were found to significantly higher in the BH breed for non pregnant and pregnant mares during all three gestational periods. The numbers of total leucocytes and segmented neutrophils increased after the second period in both breeds studied.