Changes of faecal bacterial communities and microbial fibrolytic activity in horses aged from 6 to 30 years old.

Horse owners and veterinarians report that from the age of 15, their horses can lose body condition and be more susceptible to diseases. Large intestinal microbiome changes may be involved. Indeed, microbiota is crucial for maintaining the condition and health of herbivores by converting fibres into nutrients.

Moderate Differences in Plasma Leptin in Mares Have no Effect on Either the Amino Acid or the Fatty Acid Composition of the Uterine Fluid.

Female mammalian reproductive functions are closely linked to body condition and metabolic status. Energy homeostasis is regulated by endocrine hormones such as insulin, IGF-I, leptin, and adiponectin via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. These metabolic hormones and their receptors are also expressed in reproductive tissues and the embryo.

Partitioning of fatty acids into tissues and fluids from reproductive organs of ewes as affected by dietary phenolic extracts.

Evaluation of dietary interventions with regard to fertility problems often observed in ruminant livestock is of global interest. Though the effects of polyphenol supplementation in ruminants on digestion and food quality are well described, the impact on reproductive tissues and fluids remains scarcely investigated. These compounds protect dietary unsaturated fatty acids (FA) from oxidation and biohydrogenation and thus saturation.

Endometrial luminal epithelial cells sense embryo elongation in the roe deer independent of interferon-tau†.

Numerous intrauterine changes take place across species during embryo development. Following fertilization in July/August, the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) embryo undergoes diapause until embryonic elongation in December/January. Embryonic elongation prior to implantation is a common feature among ungulates.

Do ovarian steroid hormones control the resumption of embryonic growth following the period of diapause in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)?

Embryonic diapause in the European roe deer includes a period of five months from August to December in which embryonic development is extremely decelerated. Following exit from diapause, the embryo rapidly elongates and subsequently implants. In diapausing carnivores and marsupials, resumption of embryonic growth is regulated by ovarian steroid hormones.