Effects of transportation on early embryonic death in mares

Abstract

Incidence of early embryonic death (EED) and associated changes in serum cortisol, progesterone and plasma ascorbic acid (AA) in transported mares were investigated. Mares were transported for 472 km (9 h) during either d 16 to 22 (T-3 wk, n = 15) or d 32 to 38 (T-5 wk, n = 15) of gestation. Blood samples were drawn from control, nontransported mares (NT-3 wk, NT-5 wk, n = 24) and transported mares pre-trip, midtrip, and at 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h post-transport and daily for the next 2 wk. Incidence of EED between transported and nontransported mares was not different (P greater than .05). Serum cortisol in all transported mares increased (P less than .05) relative to pre-trip values at midtrip and 0 h post-transport. Relative to NT mares, serum cortisol was higher (P less than .05) at midtrip in T-3 wk mares and 0 h post-transport in T-5 wk mares. Serum progesterone in all T mares increased (P less than .05) at midtrip relative to pre-trip values and was higher (P less than .05) in T-3 wk mares than in NT-3 wk mares at midtrip and 0 h post-transport. Post-transport decreases (P less than .05) in concentrations of progesterone were observed in mares that aborted. Plasma AA in transported mares increased (P less than .05) at midtrip in T-5 wk mares and decreased (P less than .05) relative to pre-trip values at 24 and 48 h post-transport (T-3 wk and T-5 wk mares, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)