Postnatal Dynamics of Circulating Steroid Hormones in Mule and Equine Neonates

Abstract

It is necessary to study hormonal patterns from mules to recognize alterations and neonatal maladaptation. Our objective was to evaluate concentrations of hormones in mule (n = 6) and equine foals (n = 6). Blood was collected at T0, 1, 6 and 12 h after birth. Hormone concentrations were evaluated using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Effects of time, group and interactions and regression analysis were evaluated (p < 0.05). There was a cubic and quadratic decline in mule and equine foals, respectively, for 3β,20α-dihydroxy-DHP. Mule foals were born with lower circulating 3β,20α-dihydroxy-DHP concentrations, which might be related to progestogen concentrations in mares with a hybrid placenta. Corticosterone and cortisol concentrations remained unchanged for the first hour post-foaling then declined in mule and equine foals (p < 0.0001). Dehydroepiandrosterone was the main androgen present. There was a decrease in dihydrotestosterone at 12 h (p = 0.002). Differences in the temporal patterns of secretion within each steroid class, pregnanes, corticoids, and androgens, suggest they were derived from different tissue sources, presumptively the placenta, adrenals and gonads of the fetus/neonate, respectively. Mule and horse foals were born without evidence of testosterone secretion. For the first time, steroid hormone levels were measured in neonatal mules, and this will provide insight into neonatal physiology that differs from equine and allow us to gain an understanding of mules that have rarely been studied. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of hybrid pregnancies in the steroid endocrinology of neonates.

Comparative Assessment of Oxidative and Antioxidant Parameters in Mule and Horse Neonates during Their First Month of Extrauterine Adaptation

“…A recent study [14] found physiological differences between horse and mule neonates, such as a lower concentration of the steroid 3β,20α-dihydroxy-DHP, which may be related to the placental steroidogenic capacity during hybrid gestation. A higher APGAR value was also observed in mules when compared to horse foals [14], probably due to the release of progestogens in the perinatal period. These differences suggest that mule foals' metabolism is derived from different origins, presumably placenta, gonads, and adrenals, indicating that the endocrinology of mules is different and perhaps that they undergo distinct aspects of adaptation during the first days of life.…”

“…Nevertheless, these biomarkers are important as they are one of the central elements in signal transduction pathways involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis [13]. A recent study [14] found physiological differences between horse and mule neonates, such as a lower concentration of the steroid 3β,20α-dihydroxy-DHP, which may be related to the placental steroidogenic capacity during hybrid gestation. A higher APGAR value was also observed in mules when compared to horse foals [14], probably due to the release of progestogens in the perinatal period.…”