The aim of this study was to evaluate the trend of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels in mares during peripartum period. Twelve pregnant mares (Group A) were weekly monitored from the last 6 weeks before foaling (6BF-1BF) until the first 3 weeks after foaling (1AF-3AF). Twelve non-pregnant non-lactating mares constituted the control (Group B). Jugular blood samples were ana...

ABSTRACT: The aims of this study were: 1) determine total specific IgG and subisotypes in serum colostrum pregnant mares vaccinated against Theileria equi Streptococcus subspecies equi; 2) foals born from these mares. In mares, the highest value for T. was at 335 days gestation declining 30 postpartum, while S. 328 remaining high up to postpartum. Transfer passive immunity both antigens observe...

The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis interacts with the hypothalamo-pituitarygonadal (HPG) axis at several sites and there are both species and stress related differences in how a particular stressor affects the gonadal axis. In the pregnant mare, negative effects of stress on reproduction are often measured in terms of effect on plasma progesterone levels or abortion rate. In cycling m...

Conditions threatening pregnancy in late term mares can pose unique challenges to the practitioner. The following manuscript reviews clinical scenarios that the equine practitioner may encounter with late pregnant mares. Diagnostic and treatment options are also discussed. Author’s address: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, PO B...

Lactation is the most energy demanding part of parental care in mammals, so parent-offspring conflict arises over milk provided by the mother. In some species females commonly become pregnant shortly after parturition of previous young. This further intensifies mother-offspring conflict due to concurrent pregnancy and lactation. In equids it has been well established that pregnant females wean ...

Controlling fertility of feral horses through the use of long-acting contraceptives or sterilization approaches has been championed as a reasonable and humane solution for addressing overpopulation problems in several western states. However, methods to accomplish long-term contraceptive efficacy of horses following a single treatment have been lacking. In fall 2002 and spring 2003, we initiate...

Intrauterine devices block luteolysis in cyclic mares, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. To clarify mechanisms, protein profile of endometrial secretome was analyzed using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). Twenty-seven mares were classified according to whether they inseminated (AI) or had an intrauterine device (IUD), a water-filled plastic sphere, inserted into ...

Antivenom antibody titers following administration of rattlesnake venom for antivenom production in horses are well documented; however, antivenom antibody titers following natural rattlesnake envenomation in horses are not. Antibody titers produced in response to the commercially available rattlesnake venom vaccine are also not published. Our study objectives were to measure antivenom antibody...

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection among Thoroughbreds residing on a farm on which the virus was known to be endemic. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS 10 nonpregnant mares, 8 stallions, 16 weanlings, 11 racehorses, and 30 pregnant mares and their foals born during the 2006 foaling season. PROCEDURES Blood and nasopharygeal swab samples w...

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a pregnant mare immunization of a Rhodococcus equi (R. equi) vaccine candidate containing a water-based nanoparticle mineral oil adjuvanted (Montanide IMS 3012) inactive bacterin and virulence-associated protein A (VapA), as well as the administration of anti-R. equi hyperimmune (HI) plasma against R. equi challenge in the mares' foals. The eff...