Dietary Mineral And Vitamin Supplementation Improved The Reproduction, The Haematology, And Some Circulating Biochemical'S Of Cyclic East-Bulgarian And Arabian Mares

This study aimed to investigate the dietary mineral and vitamin supplementation on the hematological, the circulating biochemical parameters, and the reproductive performance of cyclic mares aged 4-12 years old. Purebred Arabian (PAB, n = 8) and East-Bulgarian (EBB, n = 12) breeds were equally divided into treated and control groups. The nutritional supplement was given orally (50 g daily/animal/day) for seven consecutive days and repeated for 4 consecutive months. All mares were examined daily with ultrasound from exhibiting oestrus signs till ovulation. Blood samples were collected with and without anticoagulant before supplementation, on Day 7 and Day 120 for the measurement of ALT, lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, calcium, phosphorus, and creatinine and to perform full blood picture. The nutritional supplement decreased lactate dehydrogenase (p < .05) and creatinine (p < .05). Compared to the PAB mares, control mares had one day shorter oestrous cycle length (20.2 +/- 2.13 vs 21.0 +/- 2.46 days), but the treated EBB mares had two days shorter oestrus cycle (20.00 +/- 1.202 vs 22.00 +/- 0.93 days). The oestrus phase of the treated mares was shorter (p < .001) than that of the control mares (3.63 +/- 0.38 vs 5.50 +/- 0.31 days). The diameter of the dominant follicle varied (p < .05) between the two breeds that was 38.25 +/- 1.90 and 36.94 +/- 1.70 mm for treated and control EBB but was 35.38 +/- 1.41 and 34.89 +/- 1.35 mm for treated and control PAB. In conclusion, the nutritional supplement had a good effect on the reproductive status, and on the blood parameters (hematological and biochemical) of the mares, but more research is necessary to recommend its use.