ScienceDaily (Dec. 5, 2012) — In the latest
issue of the Journal of Animal Science, researchers at Clemson University
and the University of Florida examine the impact of exercise on mare
reproductive health and embryo transfer.
In
the study, researchers divided light-horse mares into three research groups: no
exercise (control), partial-exercise and full-exercise. Their goal was to
measure reproductive blood flow and embryo number and quality. Partial-exercise
mares were moderately exercised for 30 minutes daily during the periovulatory
period and rested after ovulation for seven days. Full-exercise mares were
exercised for 30 minutes daily throughout the reproductive cycle.
Results
from the study showed that exercise induced greater cortisol concentrations in
horses. Cortisol has been shown to have effects on reproduction.
Embryo
recovery rates were reduced in exercised horses compared to the control group.
There was no significant difference in embryo recovery rates for
partial-exercise and full exercised groups, but the partial-exercised group had
the lowest embryo quality score.
"This
led us to conclude that exercise was just as detrimental, if not more so, to
the time period just prior to and during fertilization," said Christopher
Mortensen of the University of Florida and one of the authors of the study.
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