Road Transport of Late Pregnant Mares Advances the Onset of Foaling

Fetal maturation triggers an increasing cortisol synthesis which then initiates the onset of parturition. Road transport is a stressor for horses and elicits a complex stress response with increases in cortisol concentration and heart rate, but a decrease in heart rate variability (HRV). We hypothesized that maternal stress during the last days of gestation advances the time of parturition. To determine stress effects on the time of foaling and foal outcome, mares were either transported for 3 hours by road (n=12) or remained in the foaling stable as controls (n=3).

Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: C. Nagel, M. Melchert, J. Aurich, C. Aurich Source Type: research