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Sexual behavior of mares.

The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Equine Practice

|December 1, 1986

Summary

Mare estrous behavior, crucial for reproduction, can be complex to detect due to silent estrus and non-ovulatory sexual behavior. Hormonal influences beyond ovarian steroids play a role.

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Area of Science:

Veterinary Science
Animal Behavior
Reproductive Biology

Background:

Estrous behavior in mares shares similarities with other species, involving proceptive and receptive phases crucial for reproduction.
Detecting estrus in mares presents challenges, requiring stallion presence and complicated by conditions like silent or subestrus.
Estrus-like behavior can occur independently of ovulation, confounding accurate estrus detection.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the complexities of estrous behavior detection in mares.
To investigate the hormonal and non-hormonal factors influencing sexual behavior in mares.
To understand the unique dissociation of sexual behavior from ovulation in mares.

Main Methods:

Observational studies of mare sexual behavior during the estrous cycle.
Analysis of hormonal profiles in relation to sexual behavior.
Comparison of estrous behavior in mares with varying reproductive statuses (e.g., anovulatory, ovariectomized, pregnant).

Main Results:

Estrous signs are most intense just before ovulation, with sexual behavior absent during diestrus.
Estrus detection is problematic, often requiring a stallion and complicated by silent/subestrus conditions.
Mares can exhibit estrous behavior independent of ovarian steroids, influenced by adrenal androgens/estrogens, and even when pregnant or ovariectomized.

Conclusions:

Mare sexual behavior is complex and not solely dependent on ovarian steroids, with adrenal hormones playing a role.
The dissociation of sexual behavior from ovulation in mares is unique and may serve social functions, promoting herd cohesion.
Accurate estrus detection in mares requires careful consideration of behavioral and endocrine factors, especially in challenging cases.

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