Matamata Veterinary Services, Ltd, 26 Tainui Street, Matamata, New Zealand.
Theriogenology. 2012 Mar 15;77(5):952-8. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.10.001. Epub 2011 Dec 6.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of intravaginal progesterone on the reproductive performance of transitional Thoroughbred mares on commercial stud farms. Two hundred twenty-seven (227) non-lactating transitional Thoroughbred mares aged between 4 and 18 y (mean 9.4 ± 3.2 y) located on three stud farms in the Waikato region of New Zealand were used in the study performed during four consecutive breeding seasons (2007-10). Mares were age-matched in pairs and either treated with an intravaginal progesterone releasing device (Cue-Mare, 1.72 g progesterone, 10% w/w) for up to 10 d (Treated; n = 126) or left untreated (Control; n = 101). In both groups, 1,667 iu of hCG was given IV when an ovarian follicle ≥35 mm was detected (in conjunction with estrous behavior) and each mare was bred by natural service. Treated mares were served earlier in the breeding season (mean ± SD interval to first service was 13.9 ± 3.0 vs 26.7 ± 13.2 d for Treated and Control groups, respectively; P < 0.001). In the Treated and Control groups, 95.2 and 42.6% of mares were served within the first 21 d of the season (P < 0.001). Treated mares conceived earlier in the breeding season (mean number of days to conception 37.5 ± 14.2 vs 50.8 ± 21.3 d, P = 0.01). There was no difference between groups in the first service pregnancy rates (53.9 and 50.5% for Treated and Control mares, P = 0.89). Treatment with an intravaginal device increased the number of mares conceiving by the end of the breeding season (91.3 vs 82.3% for Treated and Control groups, P = 0.04). Therefore, this treatment protocol appeared to offer a convenient, economical and reliable method for managing transitional mares on commercial Thoroughbred stud farms.
本研究旨在探讨阴道内给予孕激素对商业种马场处于过渡期的纯血母马繁殖性能的影响。在新西兰怀卡托地区的三个种马场进行的四个连续配种季节（2007-10 年）期间，共使用了 227 匹（227）非哺乳期、年龄在 4 至 18 岁之间（平均 9.4±3.2 岁）的处于过渡期的纯血母马。母马按年龄配对，并分别给予阴道内释放孕激素的装置（Cue-Mare，1.72 g 孕激素，10%w/w）治疗 10 天（处理组；n=126）或不治疗（对照组；n=101）。在两组中，当检测到直径≥35mm 的卵泡时（同时出现发情行为），静脉内给予 1667iu 的 hCG，并且每匹马均通过自然交配配种。处理组母马在配种季节更早地接受配种（处理组和对照组的第一次配种的平均（±SD）间隔分别为 13.9±3.0 天和 26.7±13.2 天；P<0.001）。在处理组和对照组中，95.2%和 42.6%的母马在季节的前 21 天内接受了配种（P<0.001）。处理组母马更早地在配种季节怀孕（受孕的平均天数为 37.5±14.2 天，而对照组为 50.8±21.3 天；P=0.01）。两组的第一次配种妊娠率没有差异（处理组和对照组的母马分别为 53.9%和 50.5%；P=0.89）。阴道内装置的治疗增加了在配种季节结束时怀孕的母马数量（处理组和对照组的母马分别为 91.3%和 82.3%；P=0.04）。因此，这种治疗方案似乎为商业纯血种马场管理过渡期母马提供了一种方便、经济和可靠的方法。
