Differences in Endocrine and Cardiac Changes in Mares and Her Fetus before, during, and after Parturition in Horses of Different Size

Abstract

Equine fetomaternal monitoring is based on endocrine and cardiac parameters which may differ among small, medium-size, and full-size horses. Therefore, Shetland (n = 6), Haflinger (n = 8), and Warmblood pregnancies (n = 9) were studied during late gestation and at foaling. Weight of mares, foals and placenta, plasma progestin and cortisol concentration, heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) were determined. Foal weight always approximated 10% of mare weight but relative placenta weight was highest in full-size mares (p p p p p p p p p p p p p p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates both similarities and differences in peripartum endocrine and cardiac changes in horses of different size.

Keywords

• cortisol
• heart rate
• horse
• pregnancy
• size
• progestins