Maternal Nutrition during Pregnancy Affects Testicular and Bone Development, Glucose Metabolism and Response to Overnutrition in Weaned Horses Up to Two Years.
Authors: Robles Morgane, Gautier Camille, Mendoza Luis, Peugnet Pauline, Dubois Cédric, Dahirel Michèle, Lejeune Jean-Philippe, Caudron Isabelle, Guenon Isabelle, Camous Sylvaine, Tarrade Anne, Wimel Laurence, Serteyn Didier, Bouraima-Lelong Hélène, Chavatte-Palmer Pascale
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary Overnutrition during critical developmental windows is a recognised risk factor for orthopaedic disease in young horses, yet the long-term consequences of *in utero* nutrition exposure remain poorly characterised. Robles and colleagues investigated whether high-concentrate feeding during pregnancy programmes metabolic and skeletal development in offspring by tracking colts from mares fed either forage-based or concentrate-supplemented diets through to two years of age, with a secondary overnutrition challenge (excessive concentrates) imposed between 20–24 months. Prenatal concentrate exposure combined with post-weaning overfeeding resulted in significant alterations to glucose metabolism, reduced testicular development and bone remodelling deficits in yearling colts compared to controls, with effects persisting even in animals that had not experienced the secondary nutritional challenge. These findings suggest that broodmare diet exerts programming effects on metabolic regulation and skeletal integrity that extend well beyond the first year of life, highlighting the importance of appropriate gestational nutrition in mares intended for breeding and supporting calls for judicious use of concentrates in both pregnant and young horses to mitigate osteochondrosis and metabolic disease risk.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Pregnant mare nutrition directly impacts foal health and development for years after birth—optimizing gestation diet reduces later metabolic and orthopedic problems
- •High-concentrate feeding during pregnancy combined with overfeeding growing horses compounds risk of osteochondrosis and metabolic dysfunction; avoid double exposure
- •Yearling and two-year-old management matters more for colts from mares fed high-concentrate diets; these individuals may need stricter nutrition controls to prevent developmental disease
Key Findings
- •Maternal nutrition during pregnancy significantly affects testicular development, bone metabolism, and glucose handling in offspring through at least 24 months of age
- •Post-weaning overnutrition from 20-24 months exacerbates metabolic and skeletal problems in foals previously exposed to high-concentrate maternal diets
- •Broodmare diet composition during gestation programs long-term metabolic and developmental outcomes in male offspring, with effects persisting beyond weaning