Temporal feeding pattern may influence reproduction efficiency, the example of breeding mares

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Equine Reproduction
• Animal Husbandry

Background:

• Horses, evolved for continuous foraging of high-fiber diets, can develop abnormal behaviors and stress from restricted feeding patterns common in domestic settings.
• Altered feeding patterns, including meal timing and roughage availability, may negatively impact physiological functions, including reproduction in breeding mares.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of temporal feeding patterns, specifically roughage availability, on the reproductive efficiency of Arab breeding mares.
• To determine if continuous feeding of roughage enhances fertility and reduces estrus abnormalities in mares.

Main Methods:

• One hundred Arab breeding mares were divided into two groups: Standard Feeding Pattern (SFP) with nighttime roughage and Continuous Feeding (CF) with night and day roughage.
• Reproductive efficiency was assessed through estrus detection, clinical examinations (rectal palpation, ultrasound), and breeding outcomes (natural mating or artificial insemination).
• Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the data on reproductive parameters.

Main Results:

• Continuous feeding significantly improved reproductive efficiency in mares.
• CF mares exhibited significantly fewer estrus abnormalities (p=0.0002) and higher fertility rates (p=0.024) compared to SFP mares.
• Conception rates were 81% in CF mares versus 55% in SFP mares.

Conclusions:

• Ensuring semi-continuous roughage availability fulfills horses' physiological needs, reduces stress, and mitigates reproductive inhibitors.
• Temporal feeding patterns represent a significant, underestimated factor influencing reproductive success in horses.
• This study provides the first evidence of temporal feeding patterns impacting mammalian reproductive success.