Changes in Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Body Composition in Pregnant Mares

Background: Mares are very different from other species during pregnancy, and studies on the physiological changes of this period are important. During late pregnancy, the distribution of weight and body fat are often used as indicators of adequate nutrition. This is a physiological period that results in an increase in metabolic demand. There is a tendency for the Criollo breed to have a higher body condition score that becomes more evident during pregnancy, a period when mares tend to gain more weight. The current study monitored serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in pregnant mares during late gestation to determine a possible correlation with the distribution of fat or body weight.Materials, Methods & Results: Four body parameters of thirty-four Criollo-type mares in late gestation were evaluated: body weight measured with a weight scale, body weight using a commercial weight tape, total body fat and fat thickness and the serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. The fat thickness was measured in an ultrasound device and the prediction of total body fat was calculated using an equation. According to the days prior foaling, biometric monitoring and blood collection were carried out in five periods: F-90 (± 90 days prior to foaling) n = 33; F-60 (± 60 days prior to foaling) n = 33; F-30 (± 30 days prior to foaling) n = 31; F-15 (± 15 days prior to foaling) n = 29 and Foaling (at day of foaling) n = 14. Mares were monitored daily and accompanied foaling was also performed, ensuring collection at the right time. Comparisons of means were performed between variables in addition to the Pearson correlation test. Statistical significance was established at P 0.05). A strong positive correlation was observed between the average weights (P 0.068). There was a strong positive correlation between weights (P 0.191). There was also no correlation with the body composition (P > 0.068).Discussion: The absence of difference between the periods in relation to the weight measures and the correlations existing in these measures is related to the period in which they were collected, since the maximum relative weight of the foal is reached in ten months, causing the mare's weight stability. Interestingly, an unexplained increase in total cholesterol levels was found on the day of foaling. As the same change in triglycerides was not observed and there was no change in the diet or feeding behavior of the mares, the effects of the diet can be excluded in this case, which requires further studies to explain this result. Our hypothesis is that this increase is linked to hormones that tend to change in this pre-delivery period and that have their metabolism strongly linked to cholesterol levels. Levels of body fat and mare weight can therefore be correlated in the late gestation, allowing for their use as indicators of adequate nutritional and energy reserves

Energetic profile of pregnant mares and their newborns

Pregnancy and the neonatal period mark important stages in the lives of beings. The study of metabolic changes that occur during these periods is important to understand, predict and control possible pathologies. This thesis aimed to determine and evaluate the energy profile of pregnant mares and their newborns, to understand the mare-foal relationship. In the first study, blood was collected from native mares in the periods prior to parturition, in addition to measurements made regarding weight gain, either by monitoring the different ways of measuring weight, or by measuring body and metabolic fat. In the present study, these variables correlated (p < 0,0001) and there was an increase in the total blood cholesterol levels of the mares on the day of delivery (p = 0,0016). Thus, continuing the study, the second article was developed where native peripartum mares and their newborns had their blood collected and evaluated for levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). In addition, in the foals, blood lactate and glucose levels were measured. A real increase in cholesterol was observed in mares on the day of parturition, with a return of values in the immediate postpartum period (p=0.02). Correlation was found between the total cholesterol levels of mares and foals at the time of parturition (r = 0,457, P = 0,011). In addition, there was a correlation between total cholesterol and triglycerides in the mare and total cholesterol in the foal, and total cholesterol in the mare and LDL in the foal. Our results demonstrate how the lipid profile of neonates fluctuates and can be interfered with in various ways. Pregnant mare showed an increase in cholesterol levels at day of foaling. Furthermore, our study demonstrated the relationship between total cholesterol and triglycerides in the mare and total cholesterol in the newborn foal, and total cholesterol in the mare and LDL in the newborn foal. There was an inversely proportional correlation between the levels of HDL and LDL levels in the blood of the newborn foal, which influenced the maintenance of the levels of other components, such as glucose, which correlates with lactate on the day of foaling, which demonstrates that we must be attentive to the evaluation of the moment of these components.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPESA gestação e o período neonatal marcam importantes fases na vida dos seres. O estudo das alterações metabólicas ocorrentes nesses períodos é importante para se compreender, prever e controlar possíveis patologias. Nessa tese objetivou-se avaliar o perfil energético de éguas gestantes e seus neonatos visando compreender a relação égua-potro. No primeiro estudo foram coletados sangue de éguas crioulas nos períodos que antecederam o parto, além de feitas mensurações quanto ao seu ganho de peso seja pelo acompanhamento das diferentes formas de mensuração de peso ou pelas medidas de gordura corporal e metabólica. Nesse estudo pode-se constatar que essas variáveis estavam correlacionadas (p < 0,0001) e foi observado um aumento nos níveis de colesterol total sanguíneo das éguas no dia do parto (p = 0,0016). Assim, em continuidade foi desenvolvido o segundo estudo onde éguas crioulas no periparto e seus neonatos tiveram seu sangue coletado e avaliado quanto a quantidade de colesterol total, triglicerídeos, LDL (lipoproteína de baixa densidade) e HDL (lipoproteína de alta densidade). Ainda, nos potros foram mensurados os níveis sanguíneos de lactato e glicose. Foi observado o real aumento do colesterol no dia do parto das éguas com retorno dos valores no pós-parto imediato (p = 0,02). Houve correlação entre os níveis de colesterol total das éguas e dos potros no momento do parto (r = 0,457, p = 0,011). Além de correlação entre triglicerídeos na égua e colesterol total no potro, e colesterol total na égua e LDL no potro. Observou-se também, um comportamento inversamente proporcional dos níveis de HDL e LDL sanguíneo do potro. Nossos resultados demonstram como o perfil lipídico dos neonatos flutua e pode ser interferido de várias maneiras. A égua prenhe apresentou aumento nos níveis de colesterol no dia do parto. Além disso, nosso estudo demonstrou a relação entre colesterol total e triglicerídeos na égua e colesterol total do neonato, e colesterol total na égua e LDL do neonato. Houve uma correlação inversamente proporcional entre os níveis de HDL e LDL no sangue do potro neonato, o que influenciou na manutenção dos níveis de outros componentes, como a glicose, que se correlaciona com o lactato no dia do parto, o que demonstra que devemos estar atentos à avaliação do momento desses componentes

Glycerin supplementation in equine diet

A glicerina, na alimentação, pode ser considerada uma boa fonte energética. Assim, sua utilização como substituta em parte de grãos e outros alimentos ricos em amido é amplamente estuda já que esses alimentos podem causar alterações metabólicas e digestivas quando em alto consumo. Neste estudo, objetivou-se comparar níveis de adição de glicerina na dieta de equinos. Foram utilizados oito pôneis machos, castrados, da raça Mini-Horse, com idade aproximada de 9 anos ± 6 meses, peso corporal médio de 149,80 &#177; 17,20 kg e escore corporal médio de 5,4 &#177; 0,7. Os animais foram alojados em baias individuais. Adotou-se consumo diário individual de 1,75% do peso corporal (PC), sendo 1% do PC em matéria seca (MS) proveniente do volumoso e 0,75% do PC em MS do concentrado, com proporção 60:40 (volumoso:concentrado). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o quadrado latino duplo 4 x 4 contemporâneos. As dietas diferiram quanto ao nível de inclusão de glicerina (0, 4, 8 e 12%) que foram calculados com relação á porcentagem de concentrado fornecidos por animal. As avaliações foram realizada em quatro períodos, sendo 14 dias de adaptação à dieta, 5 dias de coleta total de fezes (CTF) e 2 semanas de intervalo entre os períodos. Avaliou-se a digestibilidade aparente total dos nutrientes e fermentabilidade da glicerina a partir da CTF, por meio das análises de respostas glicêmicas, insulinêmicas, ácido graxos da cadeia curta, ácidos graxos não esterificados (NEFA) e pH das fezes. Também foram realizadas análises de segurança e aceitabilidade que se constituiu de análises de função hepática e renal, triglicerídeos, colesterol e frações além da avaliação do comportamento alimentar dos animais. Além de análise de implicações econômica a partir da simulação de substituição do milho pela glicerina bruta. Os dados foram submetidos à análise pelo programa Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute Inc., 2010). Para os resultados significativos, foi utilizado o teste de Tukey com P&lt;0,05. Não houve diferenças entre os tratamentos em nenhuma das análises realizadas (P&lt;0,05). A glicerina se mostrou palatável e com aceitabilidade. A substituição de milho por glicerina, mesmo em valores de 1%, representa economicamente 0,42% de ganho. A suplementação de glicerina bruta na dieta de equinos se apresenta como segura não afetando o comportamento alimentar, a higidez e a saúde digestiva dos animais, possuindo justificativa econômica para uso.Glycerin in food can be considered a good source of energy. Thus, its use as a substitute part of grains and other starchy foods is widely studied since these foods can cause metabolic and digestive changes when in high consumption. The objective of this study was to compare levels of glycerin addition in the equine diet. Eight male, castrated Mini-Horse male ponies, aged approximately 9 years ± 6 months, mean body weight of 149.80 &#177; 17.20 kg and mean body score of 5.4 &#177; 0.7 were used. The animals were housed in individual stalls. Individual daily consumption of 1.75% of body weight (CP) was used, with 1% CP in dry matter (DM) from bulky and 0.75% CP in DM from concentrate, with a ratio of 60:40 voluminous: concentrate). The experimental design used was the contemporary 4 x 4 double Latin square. The diets differed in the glycerin inclusion levels (0, 4, 8 and 12%) that were calculated in relation to the percentage of concentrate supplied per animal. The evaluations were performed in four periods, 14 days of adaptation to the diet, 5 days of total collection of feces (TCF) and 2 weeks of interval between periods. The total apparent digestibility of nutrients and fermentability of glycerol from the TCF were evaluated through glycemic, insulinemic, short chain fatty acid, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and faecal pH analyzes. Safety and acceptability analyzes were also performed, which consisted of analyzes of liver and renal function, triglycerides, cholesterol and fractions, besides the evaluation of the animals\' feeding behavior. In addition to analysis of economic implications from the simulation of substitution of corn by crude glycerin. The data were submitted to analysis by the Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute Inc., 2010). For the significant results, the Tukey test was used with P &lt;0.05. There were no differences between treatments in any of the analyzes performed (P &lt;0.05). Glycerin was palatable and acceptable. The substitution of corn for glycerin, even at 1%, represents economically 0.42% gain. The supplementation of crude glycerin in the equine diet presents itself as safe, without affecting the alimentary behavior, the hygiene and the digestive health of the animals, with economic justification for use