title: Effects of moderate amounts of barley in late pregnancy on growth, glucose metabolism and osteoarticular status of pre-weaning horses.
abstract: In stud management, broodmares are commonly fed concentrates in late pregnancy. This practice, however, was shown to correlate with an increased incidence of osteochondrosis in foals, which may be related to insulin sensitivity. We hypothesized that supplementation of the mare with barley in the last trimester of pregnancy alters the pre-weaning foal growth, glucose metabolism and osteoarticular status. Here, pregnant multiparous saddlebred mares were fed forage only (group F, n=13) or both forage and cracked barley (group B, n=12) from the 7th month of pregnancy until term, as calculated to cover nutritional needs of broodmares. Diets were given in two daily meals. All mares and foals returned to pasture after parturition. Post-natal growth, glucose metabolism and osteoarticular status were investigated in pre-weaning foals. B mares maintained an optimal body condition score (>3.5), whereas that of F mares decreased and remained low (<2.5) up to 3 months of lactation, with a significantly lower bodyweight (-7%) than B mares throughout the last 2 months of pregnancy. B mares had increased plasma glucose and insulin after the first meal and after the second meal to a lesser extent, which was not observed in F mares. B mares also had increased insulin secretion during an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Plasma NEFA and leptin were only temporarily affected by diet in mares during pregnancy or in early lactation. Neonatal B foals had increased serum osteocalcin and slightly increased glucose increments and clearance after glucose injection, but these effects had vanished at weaning. Body measurements, plasma IGF-1, T4, T3, NEFA and leptin concentrations, insulin secretion during IVGTT, as well as glucose metabolism rate during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps after weaning, did not differ between groups. Radiographic examination of joints indicated increased osteochondrosis relative risk in B foals, but this was not significant. These data demonstrate that B or F maternal nutrition has very few effects on foal growth, endocrinology and glucose homeostasis until weaning, but may induce cartilage lesions.
authors: INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
authors: Pauline
authors: P
authors: Peugnet
authors: INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
authors: Morgane
authors: M
authors: Robles
authors: Clinique Equine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium.
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Mendoza
authors: IFCE, Station Expérimentale de la Valade, F-19370, Chamberet, France.
authors: Laurence
authors: L
authors: Wimel
authors: IFCE, Station Expérimentale de la Valade, F-19370, Chamberet, France.
authors: Cédric
authors: C
authors: Dubois
authors: INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
authors: Michèle
authors: M
authors: Dahirel
authors: INRA, UMR85, Physiologie de la Reproduction et Comportements, CNRS, UMR7247, F-37380, Nouzilly, France, Université François Rabelais de Tours, F-37000, Tours, France.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Guillaume
authors: INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
authors: Sylvaine
authors: S
authors: Camous
authors: AgroParis Tech, F-75005, Paris, France.
authors: Valérie
authors: V
authors: Berthelot
authors: Normandie University, UNICAEN, SF4206 ICORE / LABEO Frank Duncombe Laboratory, F-14000, Caen, France.
authors: Marie-Pierre
authors: MP
authors: Toquet
authors: Normandie University, UNICAEN, SF4206 ICORE / LABEO Frank Duncombe Laboratory, F-14000, Caen, France.
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Richard
authors: Clinique Equine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium.
authors: Charlotte
authors: C
authors: Sandersen
authors: INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
authors: Stéphane
authors: S
authors: Chaffaux
authors: Clinique Equine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium.
authors: Jean-Philippe
authors: JP
authors: Lejeune
authors: INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Tarrade
authors: Clinique Equine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium.
authors: Didier
authors: D
authors: Serteyn
authors: INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
authors: Pascale
authors: P
authors: Chavatte-Palmer
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001467:Hordeum; D006736:Horses / Q000254:growth & development*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D055034:Osteochondrosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D005947:Glucose