DOI: 10.5061/dryad.76dn2
title: Data from: Maternal nutrition during pregnancy affects testicular and bone development, glucose metabolism and response to overnutrition in weaned horses up to two years

description: Pregnant mares and post-weaning foals are often fed concentrates rich in
 soluble carbohydrates, together with forage. Recent studies suggest that
 the use of concentrates is linked to alterations of metabolism and the
 development of osteochondrosis in foals. The aim of this study was to
 determine if broodmare diet during gestation affects metabolism,
 osteoarticular status and growth of yearlings overfed from 20 to 24 months
 of age and/or sexual maturity in prepubertal colts. Twenty-four saddlebred
 mares were fed forage only (n=12, group F) or cracked barley and forage
 (n=12, group B) from mid-gestation until foaling. Colts were gelded at 12
 months of age. Between 20 and 24 months of age, all yearlings were overfed
 (+140% of requirements) using an automatic concentrate feeder. Offspring
 were monitored for growth between 6 and 24 months of age, glucose
 homeostasis was evaluated via modified frequently sampled intra veinous
 glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) at 19 and 24 months of age and
 osteoarticular status was investigated using radiographic examinations at
 24 months of age. The structure and function of testicles from prepubertal
 colts were analyzed using stereology and RT-qPCR. Post-weaning weight
 growth was not different between groups. Testicular maturation was delayed
 in F colts compared to B colts at 12 months of age. From 19 months of age,
 the cannon bone was wider in B vs F yearlings. F yearlings were more
 insulin resistant at 19 months compared to B yearlings but B yearlings
 were affected more severely by overnutrition with reduced insulin
 sensitivity. The osteoarticular status at 24 months of age was not
 different between groups. In conclusion, nutritional management of the
 pregnant broodmare and the growing foal may affect sexual maturity of
 colts and the metabolism of foals until 24 months of age. These effects
 may be deleterious for reproductive and sportive performances in older
 horses.
description: Nutrition of yearlings
 born to dams fed with forage only or forage and cereals in late gestation
 during feeding challengeHorse feed unit (HFU,
 net energy, 1 HFU=2250kcal), horse digestible crude proteins (HDCP, g),
 crude fibers (g), calcium (g), phosphorus (g), digestible energy (DE,
 Mcal) and crude proteins (g) for each yearling between 576 and 738 days of
 age.Nutrition.xlsxGrowth of foals and yearlings born to dams fed with forage only or forage and cereals in late gestationBody weight (kg), withers height (cm), cannon bone width (cm) and body condition score between 6 and 24 months of age.Growth.xlsxMetabolism of yearlings born to dams fed with forage only or with forage and cereals in late gestationAcute insulin response (AIRg, mU.min.L-1), insulin sensitivity (IS, x10-4 L.mU-1.min-1), disposition index (DI, x10-2), glucose effectiveness (Sg, x10-2.min-1), basal glucose (GB, mg.dL-1), basal insulin (IB, mU.L-1) and GB/IB ratio (mg.mU-1.daL) at 19 and 24 months of age.Metabolism.xlsxTesticular maturation of prepubescent colts born to dams fed with forage only or with forage and cereals in late gestationLumen score (LS, 1 to 4) and gene expression (AR, AMH, Cx43, Cyp19, Occludin, Bcatenin, Ncadherin, Tjp1, P450c17, 3Bhsd and STAR) at 12 months of ageTesticle maturation.xlsx