Attività ed innovazioni sulla gestione della fattrice da trotto nell'allevamento italiano

Abstract

The Standardbred mare’s entry in reproduction activity compulsorily takes place, pursuant to the racing regulation, upon the mare turning 8 years old, unless an even earlier entry is chosen by the owners. The off-the-track subjects are generally stressed and in poor physical conditions, as a result of an incorrect management at the end of racing career. The role of photoperiod in the regulation of the mare’s reproduction activity has been well defined and is critical for the mares’ entry into seasonal reproduction. Recent studies showed that the modulatory effects of nutrition, body condition and climate trigger the onset of estrous cycle [Ball, 2005]. The indexes allowing an easy assessment of the horse’s good physical conditions include the Body Condition Score (BCS). This parameter, assessing the body subcutaneous fat and, therefore, the animal’s energy balance, represents the expression of its physical condition [Christie et al., 2006]. BCS is a subjective assessment method for the body fat level, used in different species as response factor in studies on animal nutrition, physiology and reproduction; the possibility to assess the changes in the fat deposit represents a big advantage, not only for researches but also for farm staff. Animals having low BCS can suffer from massive parasite infestations or from systemic pathologies or can be managed based on inappropriate nutritional programmes or insufficient dental cures; on the other hand, high BCS, which is typical of overweight or obese subjects, can show a light but chronic inflammatory status [Vick et al., 2007]; both statuses, unavoidably, impact on the animal health. Adipose tissue was long considered a fat-deposit tissue, but now it is deemed as playing an important role in energy homeostasis [Yang et al., 2001] and, therefore, in all animals, the fat reserves represent a energy source that is necessary to stand up to stress periods. Poor fat reserves, when the energy requirements increase, favour the mobilization of muscle proteins for energy purposes. BCS system, based on subjective visual examination and palpation of specific areas of the horse body, was developed by Henneke et al. [Henneke et al., 1983]. To be valid, the method must meet three specific qualification parameters: repeatability, reproducibility and predictability [Suagee et al., 2008]. Repeatability exists when a judge assigns the same score in two subsequent moments to the same subject; reproducibility when two or more judges assign the same score to the same subject; and predictability when the score assigned reflects the actual subcutaneous fat level. The purpose of this study was to identify an objective assessment, which, similarly to BCS determination, is easy to measure and able to confirm or improve the fattening status assessment, as well as to ascertain whether a relationship with reproduction efficiency exists, in subjects at their first breeding season. In helping the breeder in the choice of the stallion and for obtaining a uniform method of judgment among veterinarians, the Authors propose a reproductive system score (RSS) for the evaluation of genital system of the mare.

EFFECT OF BODY CONDITION SCORE (BCS) ON ESTROUS CYCLE OF PERFORMANCE MAIDEN MARE The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of “Body Condition Score” (BCS) on ovarian activity of performance maiden mare. The scoring was determined before breeding season starting. The Authors considered 23 mares, divided in two groups: 13 mares with BCS≤2.5 (group A) and 10 mares with BCS≥3.0 (group B). The results showed significantly highly relationship between BCS and the first ovulation of breeding season, detected by gynaecological and ultrasound examination. This study suggests that increasing the plane of nutrition before January improves ovarian activity in stressed maiden mares [Vecchi et al., 2008].

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY FAT AND BODY CONDITION SCORE (BCS) AND EFFECT ON ESTROUS CYCLE OF THE STANDARDBRED MAIDEN MARE The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body fat and “Body Condition Score” (BCS) on ovarian activity of performance maiden mare. The Authors considered 29 mares, the scoring and fat thickness was determined before breeding season. The results showed significantly highly relationship between BCS and fat thickness on the first ovulation of breeding season, detected by gynaecological and ultrasound examination. The results obtained made possible the elaboration of an equation for the prevision of the first seasonal ovulation [Vecchi et al., 2009].

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM SCORE (RSS) FOR THE EVALUATION OF MARES REPRODUCTIVE APPARATUS The aim of this paper has been to propose a reproductive system score (RSS) for the evaluation of genital system of the mare. The Authors considered 29 mares, 8 maiden and 21 open from the former breeding season. The scoring has been determined by means of gynaecological and ultrasound examination for ovaries, uterine horns and vulvar angle in reference to ground level. The results obtained have shown to be very useful for the determination of reproductive efficiency, in helping the breeder in the choice of the stallion, for obtaining a uniform method of judgment among veterinarians, to set up an appropriate therapeutic regimen and is advisable to improve the management techniques by inserting this innovation in breeding farm computer programs [Vecchi et al., 2007].