A study of diurnal changes in cortisol and glucose levels and fdpa activity in foals during the first 13 weeks of life and in their lactating mothers

doi:10.1016/0300-9629(89)90550-1

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology

Volume 94, Issue 2, 1989, Pages 283-288

Comparative Biochemi...

https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(89)90550-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

1.
1. In six standard-bred mares and their foals diurnal changes in the cortisol and glucose levels and in FDPA activity were studies for 13 weeks of foal life.
2.
2. In the cortisol level diurnal rhythm was found in the 3rd, 7th and 11th week of foal life and in the 11th week of lactation in mares.
3.
3. In mares the mean diurnal cortisol level changed from 32 ng/ml in the first week to 57 in the 11th week and in foals from 24 in the first week to 16ng/ml in the llth week.
4.
4. In the glucose level no diurnal rhythm was observed.
5.
5. In mares the mean diurnal glucose level after parturition was about 58 mg/100 ml and increased to 83–85 mg/100 ml. In foals it changed from 105 to 128mg/100ml.
6.
6. In the activity of FDPA no diurnal rhythm was observed.
7.
7. The mean activity of FDPA changed in mares from 3.3 to 4.4 U and in foals from 5.7 to 7.5 U.

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A Wide Range of Endocrine and Hematochemical Changes in the Reproductive Process of Early Pregnant Mares
2019, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Citation Excerpt :
Maiden that had not been bred before and was therefore not used to repeat gynecological examination in connection with artificial insemination showed the higher and most variable cortisol metabolite secretion than barren, foaling, and teaching mares’ category [9]. A relationship between adrenocortical rhythmicity and pregnancy in mares was also investigated [16,17], with a masking effect of the second-half pregnancy on the circadian rhythm of cortisol [18]. The outcome of the first stage of pregnancy on mares’ thyroid hormones and seasonal thyroid profiles were also defined, showing a dynamic anabolic role of total and free iodothyronines [19,20].
The aim was to compare temporarily together the changes occurred along the early pregnant and nonpregnant mares on the ovarian, adrenocortical, thyroid, and hematochemical profiles (total protein, glucose, albumin, complete blood count). Sixteen mares were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group of 10 mares submitted to artificial insemination, and the control group of six mares no submitted to insemination. The experimental group was analyzed after the human chorionic gonadotropin treatment (baseline = day 0), after the artificial insemination (T1), 24 hours after (T2), 15 days after (T3), and 30 days after (T4) the insemination; the control group was analyzed after placebo treatment (day 0), considering T1 the day after the placebo treatment and T2-T4 the time points after. An interaction between treatments and sampling time on estrogen (E₂) (P < .0001) and progesterone (P₄) (P < .0001) was observed. Compared with control group, at T4, experimental group showed higher E₂ (P < .001), whereas P₄ were lower (P < .001). A significant effect of experimental treatment over time for cortisol (P = .005) and glucose (P = .054), with the highest cortisol and glucose in the experimental mares, was observed. A significant effect of time for cortisol (P < .001), total protein (P < .01), glucose (P = .054), and white blood cell (P < .01) was observed in the experimental group. The trend of cortisol and glucose may probably reflect the shift of energy metabolism in anabolic and/or catabolic directions along the onset of pregnancy.
Changes of circulating β-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophin and cortisol concentrations during growth and rearing in Thoroughbred foals
2009, Livestock Science
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of growing and weaning on circulating levels of β-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and cortisol in foals during their first 13 months of life. We also investigated circulating concentrations of these hormones changed during the first three days of weaning. Blood samples were collected from 13 clinically healthy Thoroughbred foals monthly. All foals were weaned at 4 months and additional blood samples were taken 1, 2 and 3 days after weaning. The results obtained showed that growth affected β-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol values (P < .0001). Circulating β-endorphin concentrations averaged 21.00 ± 18.69 at 11 months of age and 233.69 ± 41.72 pg/ml at 7 months. Serum ACTH concentrations averaged 3.04 ± 0.89 at 4 months and 9.48 ± 0.07 pmol/l at 8 months. Serum cortisol concentrations averaged 51.95 ± 22.43 nmol/l at 1 month and 227.19 ± 40.25 nmol/l at 13 months. Positive correlations were found between ACTH and β-endorphin (r = 0.76; P < .05) and between ACTH and cortisol levels (r = 0.54; P < .05). A negative correlation was observed between β-endorphin and cortisol levels (r = − 0.66; P < .05) over 13 months of growth. Positive correlations between body weight and cortisol levels in both colts (r = 0.80; P < .001) and fillies (r = 0.82; P < .001) were observed during growth. Weaning effects were shown for β-endorphin, cortisol (P < .0001) and ACTH (P < .01) levels. Higher β-endorphin concentrations at 3 days (P < .001) and higher ACTH and cortisol concentrations at 2 and 3 days (P < .05) of weaning compared to 1 day values were found. Gender effects (P < .0001) were shown for ACTH and cortisol levels, with the lowest ACTH levels at 1 and at 13 months in fillies (P < .0001). In addition, fillies showed the highest cortisol levels at 1 month (P < .05). No significant differences between colts and fillies were observed for β-endorphin changes. The results obtained provide additional evidence of the recognized effects of growth and weaning in modulating the opioid system and pituitary–adrenocortical axis of Thoroughbred foals.
Influence of pregnancy on diurnal and seasonal changes in cortisol, T<inf>3</inf> and T<inf>4</inf> levels in the mare blood serum
1991, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology -- Part A: Physiology
- 1.
  1. The diurnal changes in the level of total protein, cortisol, T₃ and T₄ were studied in four barren and four pregnant standard-bred mares, kept and examined under the same conditions.
- 2.
  2. Blood samples were taken every 4 hr, for one day each month, throughout one year.
- 3.
  3. In barren mares, a diurnal rhythm in cortisol level (acrophase at 0530 hr in summer and at 0830 hr in winter) and in T₃ level (acrophase at 1330hr in summer and at 1800 hr in winter) was found.
- 4.
  4. In pregnant mares, a diurnal rhythm in cortisol level only till 5th month of pregnancy was observed.
- 5.
  5. A diurnal rhythm in T₃ level was found throughout the pregnancy, with acrophase always at 1400 hr.
- 6.
  6. No diurnal rhythm in the total protein content and in the T₄ level was observed.
- 7.
  7. In both groups of mares the seasonal cyclicity in T₃ and T₄ levels were found. A seasonal cyclicity in cortisol level was found only in pregnant mares.
- 8.
  8. Pregnancy abolished seasonal cyclicity in total protein and showed it in cortisol level.
- 9.
  9. Pregnancy in mares modifies diurnal rhythms as well as seasonal cycles in secretion and metabolism of the hormones studied.
Development of diurnal rhythm in some metabolic parameters in foals
1990, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology -- Part A: Physiology
- 1.
  1. The development of diurnal rhythm activity of FDPA, AspAT and A1AT and in levels of Cortisol, T₃ and T₄ was observed in the blood serum of six foals.
- 2.
  2. The studies began when a foal was 7 days old and were repeated every month until foals reached 1 year of age. Blood samples were taken every 4 hr for one day each month.
- 3.
  3. As a control group four barren mares were used, kept and examined in the same conditions.
- 4.
  4. In mature mares, diurnal rhythms in activity of A1AT (acrophase at 2200 hr), AspAt (2400 hr) and cortisol (0630 hr) but in T₃ only in summer months (acrophase at OlOOhr) were observed.
- 5.
  5. During the first 6 months of foal life, significantly higher mean levels of FDPA, A1AT, T₃ and T₄ than in control mares were found.
- 6.
  6. The cortisol level in foals was half as much as that of mature mares throughout the year.
- 7.
  7. In foals the diurnal rhythm in A1AT activity occurred in the 5th month and in AspAt—in the 12th month (acrophase at 2400 hr), but in cortisol levels it was developed already in the second month of foal life (acrophase at 0830 hr).
Assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis function using a vasopressin stimulation test in neonatal foals
2023, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Circannual variability of calcium and phosphorus serum levels in foal and calf: a comparison
2021, Biological Rhythm Research

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A study of diurnal changes in cortisol and glucose levels and fdpa activity in foals during the first 13 weeks of life and in their lactating mothers

Abstract

J. Steroid Biochem.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Comp. Bichem. Physiol.

Adrenal corticoid in hamsters: role in circadian timing

J. Am. Physiol. Soc.

Changes in blood glucose, liver glycogen, ketone bodies and plasma insulin in suckling rats treated with a single high cortisol dose one day after birth

Acta Endocr.

Bestimmung und Eigenschaften der Serumaldolase

Biochem. Z.

A review of endocrine regulation of metabolism during lactation

J. Anim. Sci.

Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the circadian rhythms of cortisol in pregnancy

Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.

Variations de guelques contituants plasmationes chez la jument allaitante en fin de gestation et debut de lactation

Am. Rech. Vet.

Effect of fasting, gestation, lactation and exercise on glucose turnover in horses

J. Anim. Sci.

Glucose and insulin biorhythms in the horse

J.S. Afr. Vet. Ass.

Rhythmic cortisol secretion in the Equine: Analysis and physiological mechanism

J. interdiscipl. Cycle Res.