The effect of maternal obesity on embryo growth and fertility in the horse.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of maternal obesity on the embryo growth and fertility in the horse. For this research 13 Shetland ponies were used. Seven of the ponies were fed an obesogenic diet to mimic maternal obesity and to form a fat group. Six of the ponies were fed a maintenance diet to form a control group. The ponies were inseminated when they ovulated and another pony would be used to be a recipient mare by synchronizing them. At day seven of the pregnancy the ponies that were inseminated would be flushed and the embryo would be transferred to the recipient ponies. At day 14, 21 and 28 of the pregnancy an ultrasound was used to measure the size of the vesicle and embryo and to determine whether the ponies were still pregnant. At day 28 of the pregnancy an endoscopy was performed to retrieve the embryo for later research and data collection. A significant difference was found between the F-F (fat-fat) group and the other groups (C-F, F-C and C-C group) concerning the fertility. In this group 80% of the embryos were lost after the transfer. In the other groups 0% of the embryos were lost.