title: Faecal oestrogens and progesterone metabolites in mares of different breeds during the last trimester of pregnancy.
abstract: Non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis in mares by measuring faecal oestrogens has been performed over years with great accuracy. However, results have indicated breed-related differences in the amount of excreted steroids during late pregnancy. Therefore faecal samples were collected during the last 4 months of pregnancy of Thoroughbred (n = 10), New Forest pony (n = 9), Shetland pony (n = 10) and Iceland pony mares (n = 11). Concentrations of oestrogens, 20alpha-hydroxy- and 20-oxopregnanes were measured using enzyme immunoassays. Breed differences concerning both levels (though significant only in case of oestrogens) and time course of measured steroids were observed. There was a highly significant time effect (p < 0.00001) and an interaction between time and breeds (p < 0.02) for all steroids measured, suggesting that the time effect differs for different breeds. Oestrogen concentrations showed a decrease towards parturition, whereas in 20alpha-hydroxy- and 20-oxopregnane levels a pronounced increase was found 2 and I months, respectively, before parturition. A breed effect was only significant (p = 0.001) when comparing oestrogen concentrations and was mainly due to Iceland ponies, which had the lowest concentrations especially during the last 2 months of pregnancy. An almost significant (p = 0.06) breed effect was found for 20-oxopregnanes. In Iceland mares an additional increase in faecal pregnane content was already observed earlier, reaching maximum levels before the 60th day ante-partum (a.p.), followed by a decrease until the 30th day a.p. The ratio of 20-oxopregnanes to oestrogens in the samples was significantly higher (p < 0.006) in Iceland ponies in comparison with any other breed throughout all months before parturition. The breed differences observed in the amounts of oestrogens and/or progestagens present during late pregnancy may demonstrate micro-evolutionary changes in the endocrine system of a species.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Boltzmann Institut für Veterinärmed, Endokrinologie und Institut für Biochemie, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, Austria. Rupert.Palme@vu-wien.ac.at
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palme
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Entenfellner
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Möstl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006736:Horses; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D011278:Pregnanes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D011278:Pregnanes