Successful induction of lactation in a barren thoroughbred mare: growth of a foal raised on induced lactation and the corresponding maternal hormone profiles

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that a barren parous Thoroughbred mare with lactation induced by hormonal treatment can be introduced to an orphan foal at the same farm and that the mare can become pregnant after the end of the hormonal treatment. An additional purpose was to investigate the changes in the plasma concentrations of prolactin, estradiol-17β, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone before, during, and after hormonal treatment. The difference in body weight between the adopted foal and the control foals, which were at the same farm and raised by their natural mothers, was 17 kg at 24 weeks old, when the foals were weaned. However, the adopted foal and the control foals had almost the same weight at 35 weeks old and later. The first ovulation after hormonal treatment was confirmed 10 days after the end of hormonal treatment and then the normal estrous cycle resumed. Furthermore, the changes in plasma progesterone, estradiol-17β, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone showed regular patterns after the first ovulation. Conception was confirmed in the fifth ovulation. Meanwhile, another study demonstrated that conception was confirmed in the first ovulation after hormonal treatment. The present study is the first to demonstrate the hormonal profiles during and after induction of lactation in a Thoroughbred mare. This approach is useful for solving the economic and epidemic problems of introducing a nurse mare to an orphan foal.     

Changes in Serum Concentrations of Prolactin,Progestagens, and Estradiol-17β and Biochemical Parameters During Peripartum in an Agalactic Mare

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in serum concentrations of prolactin (PRL), progestagens, and estradiol-17β and biochemical parameters during peripartum in an agalactic mare, as well as to study the periparturient indices of the foal. A 4-year-old Thoroughbred, primiparous, pregnant mare was diagnosed as agalactic from clinical conditions such as absence of observable udder development and weight loss of her foal after parturition. Serum PRL concentrations of the agalactic mare during prepartum tended to be lower than those of the control mares (19.5 ng/mL and 67.0 ± 15.0 ng/mL on the day of parturition, respectively). The progestagens and estradiol-17β concentrations were not markedly different between the agalactic mare and the control mares. Concentrations of γ-glutamyl transferase of the agalactic mare were higher than those of the control mares (P < .05). Although the serum immunoglobulin G concentrations of the foal of the agalactic mare after 24 hours of age were lower than those of the foals of the control mares (P < .05), all periparturient indices regarding the agalactic mare were considered to be within the normal range. In contrast, insufficient udder development and milk production was observed in the agalactic mare through the pre- and postpartum periods. We have ruled out the known causes for agalactia in mares based on other parameters, clinical symptoms, and nutritional causes. Clinical symptoms and PRL parameters in this case report are consistent with the category of agalactia in mares of unexplained causes, and we have determined additional blood parameters associated with agalactia in mares that are consistent with this category.     

Ontogeny of digestive and immune system organs of larval and juvenile kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus reared in the laboratory

ABSTRACT:   A histological examination was made of the ontogenetic development of the digestive and immune systems of the larval and juvenile kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus reared in the laboratory. The liver, gall bladder, pancreas and the demarcating region between the intestines and rectum were formed within 3 days post-hatch (dph). During the preflexion phase (within 16 dph), revolution of the intestine concluded, and pharyngeal teeth and the mucous cells of the esophagus were differentiated. In the transitional period to the juvenile stage (25 dph), the blind sac of the stomach, gastric glands and pyloric caeca began to form. From the viewpoint of the differentiation phase of the adult-type digestive system, the kelp grouper is similar to Heterosomata, hitherto reported. The primordial thymus, kidney and spleen were present at 12, 1 and 6 dph, and the small lymphocytes in these lymphoid organs appeared at 21, 30 and 33 dph, respectively. The developmental sequence of the lymphoid organs and the appearance ages of the lymphoid organs and small lymphocytes in the lymphoid organs in the kelp grouper are similar to those of other marine fish previously reported, except for the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis .     

Efficacy of omeprazole paste in the prevention of gastric ulcers in 2 years old thoroughbreds

Prevalence of equine gastric ulcer syndrome in 85 young Thoroughbreds was investigated. The presence of gastric ulcers was confirmed in 27.1% (23/85) of the horses by endoscopic examination. Sixty-two horses without gastric ulcers were allocated randomly to either the treated group (31 horses) or sham-dosed control group (31 horses) in order to investigate the efficacy of omeprazole oral paste in the prevention of gastric ulcers. At the second endoscopic examination conducted after 28 days of administration, only 1 horse in the treated group developed gastric ulcers, while 12 horses developed gastric ulcers in the control group. Based on these data, the efficacy of omeprazole in prevention of equine gastric ulcers in young Thoroughbreds during the training period was confirmed.