Whether Plasma Endocrine And Biochemical Profile Can Predict Early Pregnancy In Mares

Abstract

This work was carried out on 32 mares selected randomly from different areas of Saurastra region of Gujarat state during March-August, 2011. The mares bred naturally were subjected to per rectal examinations between day 20 and 150 post-breeding together with periodic blood sampling and were divided into pregnant (22) and non-pregnant (10) groups. The pregnant mares were further distributed in three stages as per the gestation days, viz., i) Stage-I: 0-35 days of gestation (4), ii) Stage-II: 36-75 days of gestation (7), iii) Stage-III: 76-150 days of gestation (11). The mean plasma progesterone level (ng/ml) of pregnant mares was significantly higher in stage-III (20.34 ± 2.13) followed by stage-I (15.55 ± 3.54) and II (13.51 ± 1.81), whereas in non-pregnant mares significantly lower mean P4 level (0.97 ± 0.15) was observed. The mean plasma estradiol-17β concentration (pg/ml) was significantly higher (P< 0.05) in pregnant mares of stage-III (289.82 ± 73.05) than those in stage-I (28.50 ± 4.52) and II (43.14 ± 11.90), and even in non-pregnant ones (23.80 ± 1.82). The mean plasma total cholesterol level was significantly (P<0.05) higher in non pregnant mares than the pregnant mares of stage-II, I and III. The mean plasma protein levels did not differ significantly between various stages of pregnancy and non-pregnancy. The mean plasma glucose level was significantly higher at stage-III of pregnancy (101.40 ± 5.38 mg/dl) and calcium level was significantly lower in Stage-I (10.65 ± 0.26 mg/dl) as compared to other stages. The mean plasma inorganic phosphorus (mg/dl) value was significantly higher during stage-III of pregnancy (3.97 ± 0.06 mg/dl). The close interrelationships were observed between cholesterol and triglycerides, progesterone, estradiol, and pregnancy days with glucose level. Thus, the detection of higher level of estradiol-17β (>126 pg/ml) and progesterone (> 8.2 ng/ml) during 76- 150 days post-breeding can be used as diagnostic marker for early pregnancy in mares.