Influence of photoperiod on the pregnant and postpartum mare

Abstract

Over a 2-year period, mares (n = 32) of predominantly Quarter Horse breeding and their foals were used to study the effects of photoperiod on reproduction during the periparturient period. Specific objectives of the study were (i) to evaluate the effects of an extended photoperiod regimen (16 hours' light) on gestation length, foal development, and postpartum reproductive performance, and (ii) to measure changes in plasma progesterone concentrations during the last trimester of gestation and plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations after foaling until ovulation. Mares in the extended daylength treatment group had shorter (10 days) mean gestation length (P less than 0.01) than did control mares (exposed to normal daylight hours). Although foals of mares exposed to long photoperiod were carried for a shorter term, their birth weights tended to be heavier, but not significantly, than those of foals from control mares. Foal size, as determined by body measurements, was not affected by the photoperiod. Neither interval from parturition to 1st ovulation nor onset of estrus to ovulation were significantly affected by the extended photoperiod. Plasma progestogen concentrations increased from basal levels at prepartum weeks 4 and 5 to peak values a week before foaling in both mare groups. The LH profiles from parturition to ovulation were similar for both mare groups. However, mean plasma LH values during the 7 days before the 1st ovulation were higher (P less than 0.05) in mares exposed to extended daylength than in control mares.