Metabolic Profile of Broodmares During Late Pregnancy and Early Post‐Partum

• Published in: Reproduction in domestic animals 2014-12, Vol.49 (6), p.947-953
• Main Authors: Bazzano, M, Giannetto, C, Fazio, F, Arfuso, F, Giudice, E, Piccione, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3-hydroxybutyric acid; Animal reproduction; Animals; bilirubin; blood serum; cholesterol; creatinine; Energy Metabolism - physiology; Female; foaling; health status; Horses; Horses - physiology; mares; Metabolism; monitoring; nutrient requirements; nutrients; physiological state; Postpartum Period - physiology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal - physiology; protein content; sampling; triacylglycerols; urea
• ISSN: 0936-6768; 1439-0531
• DOI: 10.1111/rda.12411

Pregnancy represents a specific physiological status characterized by continuous adjustments that affect maternal metabolism of all nutrients. In the last trimester of pregnancy, mare's nutrient requirements greatly increase and most pregnancy‐associated diseases are likely to occur. Therefore, we aimed to assess the metabolic profile of broodmares focusing on the last 3 months of pregnancy and the early post‐partum. Fifteen pregnant mares (Group A) were monitored from 263 ± 3 days of pregnancy until 21 days after foaling. Seven non‐pregnant mares (Group B) were used as the control group. Blood samples were collected weekly by jugular venipuncture throughout the experimental period, and additional blood samples were collected within 24 ± 12 h of foaling. Obtained sera were analyzed for urea (Ur), creatinine (Cre), total protein (TP), total, direct and indirect bilirubin (tB, dB, iB), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (tChol) and β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB). During pregnancy, Ur (p = 0.015) and dB (p = 0.028) were higher in Group A than Group B. Serum Cre, tB, iB and TG (p