Resveratrol supplementation improves uterine immune resolution in mares susceptible to persistent breeding-induced endometritis.
Authors: Denison Genevieve, Funes Javier, Razquin Patricio, Howard Jocelyn, Hamner Isabela, Foulk Lyta, Burden Chelsie, Hatzel Jenn N, Sones Jenny L, McCue Pat M, Fedorka Carleigh E
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
Persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) represents a significant reproductive challenge in mares, particularly older animals or those with compromised endometrial tissue, where dysregulated post-breeding inflammation interferes with embryo establishment and fertility. Researchers administered resveratrol—a polyphenolic compound with established anti-inflammatory properties in human medicine—to PBIE-susceptible mares to determine whether this natural supplement could normalise the exaggerated uterine inflammatory cascade that characterises the condition. Mares receiving resveratrol demonstrated improved immune resolution following breeding, with enhanced clearance of inflammatory mediators and a more balanced cytokine profile compared to controls, suggesting the compound modulates both innate and adaptive immune responses within the reproductive tract. For equine practitioners, these findings indicate that targeted nutritional supplementation may offer a non-invasive therapeutic option to support uterine health in mares with a history of endometritis or reduced endometrial competence, potentially improving conception rates when integrated into pre-breeding management protocols. Further investigation into optimal dosing, timing relative to the breeding season, and long-term safety would help establish resveratrol as an evidence-based adjunct to current fertility management strategies in performance and breeding populations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Resveratrol supplementation may be a practical nutritional intervention to reduce persistent breeding-induced endometritis in older mares or those with poor endometrial quality
- •Consider resveratrol as an adjunctive strategy to modulate excessive uterine inflammation in problem breeders before or around breeding
- •This provides a non-invasive, supplement-based option for managing immune dysregulation in mares prone to post-breeding inflammation
Key Findings
- •Resveratrol supplementation attenuated the exaggerated inflammatory response in PBIE-susceptible mares
- •Resveratrol improved uterine immune resolution in mares with reduced endometrial quality
- •Polyphenolic compound demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in equine reproductive tissue