title: Analysis of post-partum fertility in mares on a thoroughbred stud in southern Victoria.
abstract: This project surveys the reproductive performance of 154 foaling Thoroughbred mares on a commercial stud in southern Victoria. Of these, 96 were served on foal heat (FHS) and 58 were served at a subsequent prostaglandin-induced oestrus (PGS). The PGS group of mares performed more favourably in all aspects except the foaling-to-conception interval where there was a 9.4 day advantage to the FHS group. The first service conception rate in the FHS group was 47.9% compared with 55.2% in PGS mares. Second heat period conception rates were 46% vs 57.7% for FHS and PGS mares, respectively. Overall conception rates at the end of the breeding season were 83.3% in the FHS group and 89.7% in the PGS group. Pregnancy losses before day 45 and after day 45 were 10% and 9.3% in FHS mares and 3.9% and 3.6% in the PGS mares. Served oestrous periods per conception numbered 1.7 and 1.4 in the FHS and PGS groups, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinic and Hospital, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Lowis
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hyland
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014739:Victoria
chemical_list: D011453:Prostaglandins