Abstract
Simple SummaryReproductive efficiency is a key aspect of all breeding species. Several factors, such as infective diseases, hormonal, and nutritional status could affect female fertility. As demonstrated by high numbers of newborns per litter and proper fetal development, nutritional status at mating, and correct nutritional management during pregnancy are fundamental. In this study, two diets with different ingredients (protein and lipid sources) and different macro and micronutrients concentrations (crude protein, fatty acids profile, vitamins, and mineral concentration) were administered from two months before the expected onset of proestrus to parturition to 18 bitches divided into two groups. The experimental diet, richer in protein, essential and polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins, when compared to control diet, seems able to guarantee better clinical presentation of estrus and embryonic development in the first third of pregnancy with a lower incidence of a fetal resorption.The close link between nutrition management and reproductive efficiency is well known, but there is very little data available concerning this topic in canine species. The present study aimed to compare the effect of two different diets upon the follicular period and gestation in bitches. Eighteen pluriparus medium and large size bitches were recruited and divided into control (CTR) and experimental (EX) groups and fed, respectively, with a commercial kibble diet and a specially formulated diet from two months before the expected onset of proestrus up to the end of the trial. It was possible to observe how the EX group had a better clinical presentation of the estrous phase, a higher number of ovarian follicles (p < 0.05), a lower percentage of fetal resorption (p < 0.05), and lower oxidative status, expressed by d-ROMs (p < 0.01), at the moment of pregnancy diagnosis compared to CTR group. Moreover, the EX group showed a lower fetal resorption rate and higher litter size (p < 0.05). These results highlight how a diet characterized by high protein and fat content and richer in essential fatty acids can improve reproductive performance in dogs.
Highlights
Nutrition plays a crucial role in satisfying metabolic demands during pregnancy.The maternal diet must provide sufficient energy and amounts of nutrients to satisfy the mother’s requirements, as well as the needs of the growing fetus, and enable the mother to lay down stores of nutrients for fetal development and for lactation [1]
All dogs were judged healthy based on routine clinical examination and hematological exams
The long ovarian axis was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the EX group compared to CTR one
Summary
Nutrition plays a crucial role in satisfying metabolic demands during pregnancy.The maternal diet must provide sufficient energy and amounts of nutrients to satisfy the mother’s requirements, as well as the needs of the growing fetus, and enable the mother to lay down stores of nutrients for fetal development and for lactation [1]. Proper nutrition management for reproducing bitches should precede mating and continue throughout gestation and lactation in order to improve maternal and fetal requirements and health. Within the first two-thirds of the period of gestation, energy requirements should not increase [2], while they rise to 1.25–1.50 times maintenance after the 35th–40th days [3]. From this last period up to parturition, due to the volume occupied by the uterus inside the abdomen and to the hormonal status, voluntary feed intake decreases, and several small meals are recommended to be administered daily [2,3]. Vitamins, and minerals ( calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium) play an important role in ovarian hormone and uterine protein production, placentation, and fetal development and, when correctly balanced with other micro and macronutrients, may improve early embryonic survival, litter size, enhance lactation and neonatal survival [4,5]
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