Reproductive Disorders in Donkeys: Current Evidence and Update.
Authors: Wang Zixuan, Zeng Shenming, Wang Yantao, Wang Tao, Qu Honglei, Zhu Yiping, Li Jing
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Reproductive disorders significantly constrain donkey populations and welfare, yet remain poorly characterised compared to equine conditions despite donkeys' expanding role in agriculture, conservation and companionship globally. Wang and colleagues conducted a comprehensive literature review synthesising current evidence on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of reproductive disorders in donkeys, examining both infectious and non-infectious causes of infertility and pregnancy loss in jennies alongside their epidemiological distribution. Whilst donkeys experience a similar disease spectrum to horses, important differences in susceptibility exist—attributable to genetic factors, pathogen specificity, environmental conditions and management practices—indicating that reproductive disorders cannot simply be extrapolated from equine literature. The authors emphasise that diagnostic protocols and treatment strategies must be tailored specifically to donkey reproductive physiology rather than adopting wholesale equine-based approaches, particularly given the limited evidence base currently available in peer-reviewed research. For practitioners managing donkey breeding programmes or treating reproductive disease, this review highlights the critical need for species-specific clinical protocols and underscores how improved reproductive management directly supports both population sustainability and individual animal welfare in this increasingly important species.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Do not assume equine reproductive protocols apply directly to donkeys—diagnostic and treatment approaches must be adapted to account for donkey-specific disease susceptibility and pathogen responses
- •Reproductive management practices significantly influence disease occurrence in donkeys; review herd management, genetics, and environmental factors when addressing reproductive problems
- •Donkey reproductive health directly impacts farming viability and animal welfare; prioritize preventive strategies and early intervention tailored to donkey-specific reproductive pathophysiology
Key Findings
- •Donkeys suffer from similar reproductive diseases as horses but differ in disease susceptibility due to genetic influence, pathogen specificity, environment, and management practices
- •Both infectious and non-infectious causes of infertility and pregnancy loss occur in jennies comparable to mares, requiring species-specific diagnostic and treatment approaches
- •Reproductive disorders represent a limiting factor for expansion of donkey populations in large-scale farming operations
- •Tailored diagnostic and treatment plans specific to donkey reproductive disorders are necessary to increase population sustainability and enhance welfare