Longitudinal Study of Growth and Osteoarticular Status in Foals Born to Between-Breed Embryo Transfers - Normandie Université Access content directly
Journal Articles Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Year : 2016

Longitudinal Study of Growth and Osteoarticular Status in Foals Born to Between-Breed Embryo Transfers

Abstract

The role of antenatal events on growth and predisposition to osteochondrosis (OC) was investigated in foals born to between-breed embryo transfers. Pony (P), saddlebred (S), and draft (D) horses were used. Control P-P (n = 21) and S-S (n = 28) pregnancies were obtained by artificial insemination. Enhanced and restricted pregnancies were obtained by transferring P or S embryos into D mares (P-D, n = 6 and S-D, n = 8) and S embryos into P mares (S-P, n = 6), respectively. Control and experimental foals were raised by their dams and recipient mothers, respectively, and weaned at age 6 months. Body measurements were recorded from birth to age 18 months. Osteochondrosis status was evaluated shortly after weaning and at age 18 months. Fetal growth was enhanced in P-D foals with overgrowth of most body segments until age 18 months. Fetal growth was restricted in S-P foals compared with S-D foals. Body weight, shoulder, and hip width of S-P foals grew slower before weaning but subsequently caught up after weaning. Other segments did not catch up, resulting in reduced body weight and withers' height in S-P compared with S-D foals at age 18 months. The relative risk of developing OC was increased in restricted S-P foals compared with S-S and S-D foals shortly after weaning where all S-P foals were OC positive. Only two S-P foals were still OC positive at age 18 months. These data confirm the impact of the intrauterine environment on growth, skeletal health, and possibly athletic capacities of horses.
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Dates and versions

hal-02372068 , version 1 (20-11-2019)

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Pauline Peugnet, Luis Mendoza, Laurence Wimel, Guy Duchamp, Cédric Dubois, et al.. Longitudinal Study of Growth and Osteoarticular Status in Foals Born to Between-Breed Embryo Transfers. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2016, 37, pp.24-38. ⟨10.1016/j.jevs.2015.11.008⟩. ⟨hal-02372068⟩
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