Not just a number: effect of age on fertility, pregnancy and offspring vigour in thoroughbred brood-mares
Charles F. ScogginClaiborne Farm, PO Box 150, Paris, KY 40362, USA. Email: cscoggin@claibornefarm.com
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 27(6) 872-879 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD14390
Submitted: 13 October 2014 Accepted: 17 February 2015 Published: 19 March 2015
Abstract
Advancing age can adversely affect a thoroughbred brood-mare’s reproductive efficiency and influence the commercial and athletic potential of her progeny. Causes for the decline in fertility include decreased oocyte and embryo quality, anatomical defects and endometrial degeneration. In addition, evidence exists that as the age of a dam increases, her foals will be at increased risk of morbidity and mortality during the neonatal period. Health issues can have lasting and deleterious effects on surviving foals, including decreased sale value and reduced athletic performance. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the association between mare age, fertility and offspring vigour in thoroughbred horses.
Additional keywords: maternal age, offspring health, subfertility.
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