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Managing broodmares and providing superior nutrition, especially during the last trimester and lactation, frequently involves offering a variety of nutritional supplements.

The last couple months of gestation, when the foal grows at an astounding rate, and early lactation can be stressful for a broodmare. Stress can stunt the mare’s immune system, putting her and her foal at risk of disease. System-wide inflammation can also develop in animals under stressful conditions, potentially interfering with maintenance of pregnancy and negatively affecting fetal survival and growth.

Supplements often recommended for mares and foals include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and probiotics. The antioxidant vitamin E has been shown to support improved fertility in mares that have trouble conceiving. KER offers Nano•E, a water-soluble formulation of vitamin E and Preserve PS (Preserve in Australia), a natural-source vitamin E in combination with other antioxidants, including selenium and vitamin C.

In addition to benefits from feeding a natural-source liquid vitamin E, DHA and EPA fatty acid supplementation from fish oil has been shown to improve colostrum quality, and enhance passive transfer of antibodies to foals. KER’s preferred source is EO•3, a marine source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Recently, one research group* found that a supplement containing bioactive proteins may benefit both late pregnant and lactating mares and their newborn foals

“Bioactive proteins are a group of molecules obtained from serum, which is the liquid that remains after blood clots. Proteins derived from serum include infection-fighting immunoglobulins, growth factors, and other proteins involved in exerting antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects,” explained Kentucky Equine Research (KER) nutritionist Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D.

To determine if a serum-based dietary supplement containing bioactive proteins influenced inflammation and stress, 26 mares were offered either a proprietary supplement or a placebo. Researchers measured immunoglobulin G (IgG), cortisol (the “stress hormone”), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory molecule), and serum amyloid A levels (SAA, a marker of inflammation), among other analytes.

Key findings included:

  • TNF-α and SAA levels tended to be lower in supplemented mares during pregnancy; and
  • IgG levels were significantly higher in supplemented mares at the time of foaling.

“These data suggest that supplementing with bioactive proteins from serum may help improve the immune status of broodmares,” Crandell summarized.

*Polo, J., E.V. Andersen, J.M. Bielsen, et al. The effects of BioThrive™ for peripartum mares and their neonatal foals from birth to 60 days of age. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. In press.

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