Effect of β-carotene administration on reproductive function of horse and pony mares

Peltier, Morgan; Peltier, Morgan R.; Sharp, Daniel C.; Ott, E. A.

doi:10.1016/s0093-691x(97)00318-x

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…In our study, pregnancy rate in first post‐partum oestrus was even higher in mares not treated with β‐carotene. Although the number of mares was relatively low, our data confirm findings of Peltier et al. (1997) and question earlier reports (Ahlswede and Konermann, 1980; Enbergs and Klemt, 1987).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…In our study, pregnancy rate in first post-partum oestrus was even higher in mares not treated with b-carotene. Although the number of mares was relatively low, our data confirm findings of Peltier et al (1997) and question earlier reports (Ahlswede and Konermann, 1980;Enbergs and Klemt, 1987). Although b-carotene supplementation was without effect on the fertility parameters determined, the results do not exclude effects during pregnancy such as enhancement of foetal growth and organ maturation.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…In the horse, positive effects of β‐carotene on ovarian and endometrial function have been suggested, resulting in increased fertility (Ahlswede and Konermann, 1980; Enbergs and Klemt, 1987) but also contradictory findings, failing to demonstrate effects of β‐carotene supplementation on fertility have been reported (Peltier et al., 1997). Beta‐carotene is converted partly to vitamin A in the intestinal mucosa (Olson and Hayaishi, 1965; Debier and Larondelle, 2005), which is known to have important functions for various physiological processes, especially in neonatal and growing animals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of oral supplementation with β‐carotene on concentrations of β‐carotene, vitamin A and α‐tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals and on fertility in mares

Kuhl¹,

Aurich

Wulf³

et al. 2011

Animal Physiology Nutrition

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In this study, effects of oral β-carotene supplementation to mares (β-carotene group: 1000 mg/day, n = 15; control group: n = 15) from 2 weeks before foaling until 6 weeks thereafter on concentrations of β-carotene, vitamin A and α-tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk and plasma of their foals were determined. In addition, effects on fertility were studied. Beta-carotene concentrations increased in plasma and colostrum of β-carotene-supplemented mares compared to control mares (p < 0.05). In mares of both groups, β-carotene concentrations were higher in colostrum than in milk (p < 0.05). In foals, β-carotene concentrations increased with colostrum uptake and were higher in foals born to supplemented mares (p < 0.05; control group: 0.0003 ± 0.0002 μg/ml on day 0, 0.008 ± 0.0023 μg/ml on day 1; β-carotene group: 0.0005 ± 0.0003 μg/ml on day 0, 0.048 ± 0.018 μg/ml on day 1). Concentrations of vitamin A and α-tocopherol were higher in colostrum than in milk (p < 0.05) but did not differ between groups. Concentration of α-tocopherol in plasma of mares decreased over time and in foals, increased markedly within 4 days after birth. All but one mare (control group) showed oestrus within 2 weeks post-partum. Occurrence of oestrus did not differ between groups. More mares of the control group (7/7 vs. 5/12 in the β-carotene group) became pregnant after being bred in first post-partum oestrus (p < 0.05). In conclusion, β-carotene supplementation to mares increased β-carotene concentrations in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals but had no positive effects on fertility.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of oral supplementation with β‐carotene on concentrations of β‐carotene, vitamin A and α‐tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals and on fertility in mares

Kuhl¹,

Aurich

Wulf³

et al. 2011

Animal Physiology Nutrition

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“…In experiment 2, progesterone concentrations on D17 in Control (8.88±0.57 ng/ml), T800 7.48±0.64 ng/ml) and T1200 (5.90±1.33 ng/ml) groups were similar (P=0.11). Similar results were found by Wang et al (1982) in Holstein heifers supplemented daily with 300 mg of betacarotene for 6 to 8 weeks and by Peltier et al (1997), in mares supplemented with 400 mg of betacarotene by a single bolus i.m. injection and supplement of â-carotene given during the dry period in dairy cows (KAEWLAMUN et al, 2010;KAWASHIMA et al, 2010).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 82%

Progesterone production in superovulated holstein heifers and in crossbred recipient of embryo supplemented with betacarotene and tocopherol

et al. 2011

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Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of the intramuscular injection of betacarotene associated to tocopherol on the plasma concentration progesterone of superovulated Holstein heifers (experiment 1) and in crossbred (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) heifers submitted to fixed-time embryo transfer (FTET, experiment 2). In experiment 1, after estrus synchronization and superovulation animals were inseminated 12 and 24 hours after estrus onset and embryos flushed 7 days later. Heifers were allocated randomly to one of three treatments: Control; T800 (800 mg of betacarotene plus 500 mg of tocopherol) and T1200 (1,200 mg of betacarotene plus 750 mg of tocopherol). The treatments were given on the day of ear implant placement and repeated on the first day of superovulation. Blood samples were collected on D0, D5, D9, D12 and D16. In experiment 2, treatments were imposed at intravaginal device insertion (D0). The same experimental design, as in experiment 1, was used. Blood samples were collected on D17 (embryos implanted) for progesterone determination by radioimmunoassay. In experiment 1, average plasma progesterone concentrations after corpora lutea formation (D12 plus D16 means) were 13.7±1.8 ng/ml, 14.5±2.3 ng/ml and 10.8±2.3 ng/ml for control, T800 and T1200, respectively, and did not differ (P=0.44). In experiment 2, progesterone concentrations on D17 in Control (8.88±0.57 ng/ml), T800 (7.48±0.64 ng/ml) and T1200 (5.90±1.33 ng/ml) groups were similar (P=0.11). Results indicate that the supplemental betacarotene and tocopherol injections did not influence peripheral progesterone concentrations in superovulated Holstein donors and crossbreed recipients heifers.

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“…Experimental evidence suggests that beta-carotene can serve as an alternative vitamin A source for the in situ synthesis of retinoids in the mammalian embryo (Kim et al, 2011). A number of studies, however, showed no effect of beta-carotene on reproduction (Folman et al, 1979;Bindas et al, 1984 a, b;Damron et al, 1984;Akordor et al, 1986;Wang et al, 1988;Oldham et al, 1991;Peltier et al, 1997;Gossen and Hoedemaker, 2005) or even adverse effects (Folman et al, 1987). A recent study on dairy cows supplemented with 1 g/day beta-carotene during the dry period showed no significant effect on ovarian activity, although higher hydroxyproline and lower neutrophils in blood of supplemented cows might suggest a positive effect on uterine function and inflammation (Kaewlamun et al, 2011).…”

Section: Reproduction and Immunologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of beta‐carotene as a feed additive for all animal species and categories

2012

EFS2

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The use of beta‐carotene is safe for the target animals. Setting a maximum content in feed legislation is not considered necessary. However, this conclusion assumes that triphenylphosphine oxide does not exceed 100 mg/kg additive. In all food‐producing animals (except veal calves) and laboratory rodents, beta‐carotene is almost fully metabolised. In contrast, humans, non‐human primates and ferrets absorb relatively high quantities of beta‐carotene unchanged. Investigations with ferrets and hamsters as well as intervention studies in humans may indicate a certain dose‐dependent potential of beta‐carotene to promote lung carcinoma, particularly in smokers. A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis of nine randomised controlled trials demonstrated an increased risk of lung and stomach cancers in smokers and asbestos workers at dose levels ≥ 20 mg/day. However, increased risk of lung cancer at such doses could be observed only if plasma levels of beta‐carotene exceeded 3 µmol/L. The FEEDAP Panel considers it prudent, in the absence of an acceptable daily intake, that supplemental beta‐carotene in animal feed should not significantly add to consumer exposure from other sources. The use of supplemental beta‐carotene in feeds of food‐producing animals, except veal calves, would not result in a significant additional exposure of consumers to beta‐carotene; however, consumption of liver from veal calves could lead to additional exposure. Beta‐carotene is not an irritant to eyes or skin and is not a skin sensitiser. Respiratory exposure from handling beta‐carotene‐containing additives is considered potentially hazardous. Taking the widespread occurrence of beta‐carotene in nature and its oxidative susceptibility into account, the FEEDAP Panel considered it unlikely that the use of beta‐carotene in animal nutrition at the recommended feed concentrations would pose a risk to the environment. Beta‐carotene is utilised for the synthesis of retinol in almost all animal species except the cat. Effects on reproduction and immunity were not sufficiently demonstrated.

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Effect of β-carotene administration on reproductive function of horse and pony mares

Cited by 6 publications

References 27 publications

Effects of oral supplementation with β‐carotene on concentrations of β‐carotene, vitamin A and α‐tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals and on fertility in mares

Effects of oral supplementation with β‐carotene on concentrations of β‐carotene, vitamin A and α‐tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals and on fertility in mares

Progesterone production in superovulated holstein heifers and in crossbred recipient of embryo supplemented with betacarotene and tocopherol

Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of beta‐carotene as a feed additive for all animal species and categories

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