Shetland Pony Mares Research Articles

Faecal oestrogens and progesterone metabolites in mares of different breeds during the last trimester of pregnancy.

Non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis in mares by measuring faecal oestrogens has been performed over years with great accuracy. However, results have indicated breed-related differences in the amount of excreted steroids during late pregnancy. Therefore faecal samples were collected during the last 4 months of pregnancy of Thoroughbred (n = 10), New Forest pony (n = 9), Shetland pony (n = 10) and Iceland pony mares (n = 11). Concentrations of oestrogens, 20alpha-hydroxy- and 20-oxopregnanes were measured using enzyme immunoassays. Breed differences concerning both levels (though significant only in case of oestrogens) and time course of measured steroids were observed. There was a highly significant time effect (p < 0.00001) and an interaction between time and breeds (p < 0.02) for all steroids measured, suggesting that the time effect differs for different breeds. Oestrogen concentrations showed a decrease towards parturition, whereas in 20alpha-hydroxy- and 20-oxopregnane levels a pronounced increase was found 2 and I months, respectively, before parturition. A breed effect was only significant (p = 0.001) when comparing oestrogen concentrations and was mainly due to Iceland ponies, which had the lowest concentrations especially during the last 2 months of pregnancy. An almost significant (p = 0.06) breed effect was found for 20-oxopregnanes. In Iceland mares an additional increase in faecal pregnane content was already observed earlier, reaching maximum levels before the 60th day ante-partum (a.p.), followed by a decrease until the 30th day a.p. The ratio of 20-oxopregnanes to oestrogens in the samples was significantly higher (p < 0.006) in Iceland ponies in comparison with any other breed throughout all months before parturition. The breed differences observed in the amounts of oestrogens and/or progestagens present during late pregnancy may demonstrate micro-evolutionary changes in the endocrine system of a species.

Effects of pregnancy and lactation on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, lipoprotein composition and post-heparin lipase activities in Shetland pony mares.

The incidence of hyperlipaemia in ponies is highest in mares in late gestation and then early in lactation. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations were measured to establish the metabolic basis for this and the lipoprotein composition of six healthy Shetland ponies was analysed before pregnancy, in the last six weeks of gestation and one month after foaling. In the pregnant ponies, the concentrations of cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly increased (both P < 0.05) because of increased concentrations of high density lipoproteins (HDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), respectively (both P < 0.05). The VLDL were significantly enriched in triglyceride and depleted of protein (P < 0.05 in each case), with the majority of cholesterol in the free rather than esterified form. These changes appeared to reflect increased hepatic triglyceride synthesis and VLDL secretion because the activities of lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase, the enzymes responsible for the catabolism of VLDL and their remnants, were unaltered. After foaling, the concentrations of triglyceride and VLDL decreased significantly (both P < 0.05) because of increased lipoprotein lipase activity consistent with the induction of the enzyme in mammary tissue to provide for milk fat synthesis. Plasma cholesterol and HDL concentrations remained high and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The VLDL remained enriched in triglyceride but had normal cholesterol and protein compositions, although the mass of phospholipids was reduced. The changes in plasma VLDL concentration and composition found in the pregnant ponies mimicked those previously reported in ponies with hyperlipaemia and suggested a metabolic basis for the incidence of the disease in late gestation.

Three-year study on trace mineral concentration in the blood plasma of shetland pony mares

1. 1. Changes in some trace minerals concentrations (calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, sodium and potassium) in blood plasma were investigated during a three-year period in Shetland pony mares. 2. 2. Blood plasma mineral concentrations were determined by the atomic absorption method and colorimetric method. 3. 3. The three-year averages were in μg/ml; Na 4630 ± 168; K 277 ± 3.8; Ca 171 ± 3.8; P 31.5 ± 0.74; Fe 1.92 ± 0.14; Zn 1.07 ± 0.04 and Cu 1.06 ± 0.02. 4. 4. Two trace minerals (magnesium in inorganic phosphorus) showed only long-term tendency changes—upward or downward trends were not connected with the season. Most of the investigated minerals showed both a long-term change tendency and more or less marked seasonally related concentration changes, being higher during autumn or winter (zinc, sodium), or during spring and summer (calcium, copper, iron and potassium). 5. 5. Some interrelationships between particular trace mineral concentrations in blood plasma were also observed.