An Overview of Infectious and Non-Infectious Causes of Pregnancy Losses in Equine.
Authors: Li Liangliang, Li Shuwen, Ma Haoran, Akhtar Muhammad Faheem, Tan Ying, Wang Tongtong, Liu Wenhua, Khan Adnan, Khan Muhammad Zahoor, Wang Changfa
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Pregnancy Losses in Equine — Infectious and Non-Infectious Causes Pregnancy loss represents a substantial economic and welfare challenge across the equine industry, particularly affecting large-scale breeding operations in expanding markets such as China, yet systematic investigation of equine abortion remains limited. This comprehensive review synthesises current evidence on both infectious aetiologies (viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens) and non-infectious factors (transportation stress, mycotoxin exposure, hormonal imbalances, twinning, placentitis, and umbilical abnormalities) documented as causes of abortion in horses, donkeys, and related species. The authors examine transmission pathways, diagnostic protocols, and control strategies specific to each causative agent, recognising that accurate identification of the underlying cause is fundamental to implementing effective preventive management. For equine practitioners—whether veterinarians, nutritionists, or farm managers—this overview underscores the necessity of multifactorial assessment when investigating pregnancy loss, as single-cause attributions often mask the complex interplay of management, environmental, and infectious variables at play on breeding farms. Given the economic significance of reproductive losses in commercial equine operations, integration of rigorous diagnostic practices with proactive herd health protocols represents a critical opportunity to improve breeding outcomes and farm profitability.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Implement systematic diagnostic protocols to identify both infectious agents and non-infectious risk factors when investigating abortion cases, as causes range from viral/bacterial infections to management factors like prolonged transportation.
- •Establish preventive control measures addressing transmission routes specific to identified infectious agents while managing non-infectious risk factors such as mycotoxin exposure and hormonal monitoring.
- •Develop farm-specific breeding management strategies that monitor for warning signs of pregnancy loss, particularly in large-scale operations where disease transmission and environmental stressors pose elevated risks.
Key Findings
- •Pregnancy losses in equines result from both infectious causes (viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi) and non-infectious causes (transportation stress, mycotoxins, hormonal disturbances, twinning, placentitis, umbilical abnormalities).
- •Early detection of abortion causes and appropriate management are crucial for preventing pregnancy loss in equine breeding operations.
- •Large-scale donkey farms face significant challenges with pregnancy losses, particularly in regions with rapid equine industry expansion such as China.