• Please log in or register to access this feature.
You have free access to this content

Endocrine adaptations in the foal over the perinatal period

  1. A. L. FOWDEN1,*,
  2. A. J. FORHEAD1,
  3. J. C. OUSEY2

Article first published online: 7 FEB 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00505.x

Issue

Equine Veterinary Journal

Equine Veterinary Journal

Special Issue: Equine Perinatology

Volume 44, Issue Supplement s41, pages 130–139, February 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

FOWDEN, A. L., FORHEAD, A. J. and OUSEY, J. C. (2012), Endocrine adaptations in the foal over the perinatal period. Equine Veterinary Journal, 44: 130–139. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00505.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

  2. 2

    Rossdale and Partners, Beaufort Cottage Stables, High Street, Newmarket, UK.

* email: alf1000@cam.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 FEB 2012
  2. Article first published online: 7 FEB 2012
  3. Received: 03.05.11; Accepted: 04.08.11

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (730K)

References

  • Allen, W.R., Wilsher, S., Ousey, J.C., Rossdale, P.D. and Fowden, A.L. (2002) The influence of maternal size on placental, fetal and postnatal growth in the horse: II endocrinology of pregnancy. J. Endocrinol. 172, 237-246.
  • Alm, C.C., Sullivan, J.J. and First, N.L. (1975) The effect of a corticoid (dexamethasone), progesterone, oestrogen and prostaglandin F2α on gestation length in normal and ovariectomised mares. J. Reprod. Fertil., Suppl. 23, 637-640.
  • Bailey, C.S., Macpherson, M.M., Pozor, M.A., Troedsson, M.H.T., Benson, S., Giguere, S., Sanchez, L.C., LeBlanc, M.M. and Vickroy, T.W. (2010) Treatment efficacy of trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, pentoxifylline and altrenogest in experimentally induced equine placentitis. Theriogenology 74, 402-412.
  • Barsnick, R.J.I.M., Hurcombe, S.D.A., Smoith, P.A., Slovis, N.M., Sprayberry, K.A., Saville, W.J.A. and Toribio, R.E. (2011) Insulin, glucagon and leptin in critically ill foals. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 25, 123-131.
    Direct Link:
  • Berg, E.L., McNamara, D.L. and Keisler, D.H. (2007) Endocrine profiles of periparturient mares and their foals. J. Anim. Sci. 85, 1660-1668.
  • Bertram, C.E. and Hanson, M.A. (2002) Prenatal programming of postnatal endocrine responses by glucocorticoids. Reproduction 124, 459-467.
  • Brendemeuhl, J.P., Williams, M.A., Boosinger, T.R. and Ruffin, D.C. (1995) Plasma progestagen, tri-iodothyromine and cortisol concentrations in postdate gestation foals exposed in utero to the tall fescue endophyte Acremonium coenophialum. Biol. Reprod. Monogr. 1, 53-59.
  • Broughton Pipkin, F., Rossdale, P.D. and Frauenfelder, H. (1982) Changes in the renin-angiotensin system of the mare and foal at parturition. J. Reprod. Fertil., Suppl. 32, 555-561.
  • Challis, J.R.G., Matthews, S.G., Gibb, W. and Lye, S.J. (2000) Endocrine and paracrine regulation of birth at term and preterm. Endocr. Rev. 21, 515-550.
  • Chavatte, P., Holton, D., Ousey, J.C. and Rossdale, P.D. (1997) Biosynthesis and possible biological roles of progestagens during equine pregnancy and in the newborn foal. Equine Vet. J., Suppl. 24, 89-95.
  • Clarke, L., Firth, K., Heasman, L., Juniper, D.J., Budge, H., Stephenson, T. and Symonds, M.E. (2000) Influence of relative size at birth on growth and glucose homeostasis in twin lambs during juvenile life. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 12, 69-73.
  • Comline, R.S., Silver, I.A. and Silver, M. (1965) Factors responsible for the stimulation of the adrenal medulla during asphyxia of the foetal lamb. J. Physiol. 178, 211-238.
  • Comline, R.S. and Silver, M. (1971) Catecholamine secretion by the adrenal medulla of the foetal and newborn foal. J. Physiol. 216, 659-682.
  • Comline, R.S., Silver, M. and Silver, I.A. (1970) Effect of foetal hypophysectomy on catecholamine levels in the lamb during prolonged gestation. Nature 225, 739-740.
  • Coulter, C.L., Young, I.R., Browne, C.A. and McMillen, I.C. (1991) Different roles of the pituitary and adrenal cortex in the control of enkephalin peptide localization and cortico-medullary interaction in the sheep adrenal during development. Neuroendocrinology 53, 281-286.
  • Cross, D.L., Redmond, L.M. and Strickland, J.R. (1995) Equine fescue toxicosis: signs and solutions. J. Anim. Sci. 73, 899-903.
  • Cudd, T.A., Le Blanc, M., Silver, M., Norman, W., Madison, J., Keller-Wood, M. and Wood, C.E. (1995) Ontogeny and ultradian rhythms in adrenocorticotropin and cortisol in the late gestation fetal horse. J. Endocrinol. 144, 271-283.
  • Edwards, A.V. (1997) Aspects of autonomic and neuroendocrine function. Equine Vet. J., Suppl. 24, 109-117.
  • Forhead, A.J., Curtis, K., Kapstein, E., Visser, T.J. and Fowden, A.L. (2006) Developmental control of iodothyronine deiodinases by cortisol in the ovine fetus and placenta near term. Endocrinology 147, 5988-5994.
  • Forhead, A.J., Ousey, J.C., Allen, W.W. and Fowden, A.L. (2004) Postnatal insulin secretion and sensitivity after manipulation of fetal growth by embryo transfer in the horse. J. Endocrinol. 181, 459-467.
  • Fowden, A.L., Barnes, R.J., Comline, R.S. and Silver, M. (1980) Pancreatic β cell function in the fetal foal and mare. J. Endocrinol. 87, 293-301.
  • Fowden, A.L., Ellis, L. and Rossdale, P.D. (1982) Pancreatic β cell function in the neonatal foal. J. Reprod. Fertil., Suppl. 32, 529-535.
  • Fowden, A.L. and Forhead, A.J. (2009) Hormones as epigenetic signals in developmental programming. Exp. Physiol. 94, 607-625.
    Direct Link:
  • Fowden, A.L., Forhead, A.J., Bloomfield, M., Taylor, P.M. and the late Silver, M. (1999) Pancreatic α cell function in the fetal foal during late gestation. Exp. Physiol. 84, 697-705.
  • Fowden, A.L., Forhead, A.J. and Ousey, J.C. (2008) The endocrinology of equine parturition. Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes 116, 393-403.
  • Fowden, A.L., Gardner, D.S., Ousey, J.C., Giussani, D.A. and Forhead, A.J. (2005) Maturation of pancreatic beta cell function in the fetal horse during late gestation. J. Endocrinol. 186, 467-473.
  • Fowden, A.L., Giussani, D.A. and Forhead, A.J. (2006) Intrauterine programming of physiological systems: Causes and consequences. Physiology 21, 29-37.
  • Fowden, A.L. and Hill, D.J. (2001) Intrauterine programming of the endocrine pancreas. Br. Med. Bull. 60, 123-142.
  • Fowden, A.L., Li, J. and Forhead, A.J. (1998) Glucocorticoids and the preparation for life after birth: are there long term consequences of the life insurance? Proc. Nutr. Soc. 57, 113-122.
  • Fowden, A.L. and Silver, M. (1995) Comparative development of the pituitary-adrenal axis in the fetal foal and lamb. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 30, 170-177.
    Direct Link:
  • Fowden, A.L., Silver, M., Ellis, L., Ousey, J.C. and Rossdale, P.D. (1984) Insulin secretion in the foal during the perinatal period. Equine Vet. J., Suppl. 16, 286-291.
    Direct Link:
  • George, L.A., Staniar, W.B., Treiber, K.H., Harris, P.A. and Geor, R.J. (2009) Insulin sensitivity and glucose dynamics during pre-weaning foal development and in response to maternal diet composition. Domest. Anim. Endocrinol. 37, 23-29.
  • Giussani, D.A., Forhead, A.J. and Fowden, A.L. (2005) Development of cardiovascular function in the horse fetus. J. Physiol. 565, 1019-1030.
    Direct Link:
  • Giussani, D.A., Forhead, A.J., Gardner, D.S., Fletcher, A.J.W., Allen, W.R. and Fowden, A.L. (2003) Postnatal cardiovascular function after manipulation of fetal growth by embryo transfer in the horse. J. Physiol. 547, 67-76.
  • Gold, J.R., Diver, T.J., Barton, M.H., Lamb, S.V., Place, N.J., Mohammed, H.O. and Bain, F.T. (2007) Plasma adrenocorticotropin, cortisol and adrenocorticotropin/cortisol ratios in septic and normal-term foals. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 21, 791-796.
  • Han, X., Fowden, A.L., Silver, M., Holdstock, N., McGladdery, A., Ousey, J., Allen, W.R., Rossdale, P.D. and Challis, J.R.G. (1995) Immunohistochemical localization of steroidogenic enzymes and phenylethalamine-N-methyl-transferase (PNMT) in the adrenal gland of the fetal and newborn foal. Equine Vet. J. 27, 140-146.
    Direct Link:
  • Hart, K.A., Heuser, G.L., Norton, N.A. and Barton, M.H. (2009a) Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis assessment in healthy term neonatal foals utilizing a paired low dose/high dose ACTH stimulation test. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 23, 344-351.
    Direct Link:
  • Hart, K.A., Slovis, N.M. and Barton, M.H. (2009b) Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction in hospitalized neonatal foals. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 23, 901-912.
    Direct Link:
  • Hess-Dudan, F., Vacher, P.Y., Bruckmaier, R.M., Weishaupt, M.A., Burger, D. and Blum, J.W. (1994) Immunoreactive insulin-like growth factor I and insulin in blood and milk of mares and in blood plasma of foals. Equine Vet. J. 26, 134-139.
    Direct Link:
  • Holdstock, N.B., Allen, V.L., Bloomfield, M.R., Hales, C.N. and Fowden, A.L. (2004) Development of insulin and proinsulin secretion in newborn pony foals. J. Endocrinol. 181, 468-476.
  • Holdstock, N.B., Allen, V.L. and Fowden, A.L. (2012) Pancreatic endocrine function in newborn pony foals after induced or spontaneous delivery at term. Equine Vet. J. 44 ( Suppl. 41 ), 30-37.
  • Hollis, A.R., Ousey, J.C., Plamer, L., Stephen, J.O., Stoneham, S.J., Boston, R.C. and Corley, K.T. (2006) Effects of norepinephrine and combined norepinephrine and fenoldopam infusion on systemic hemodynamics and indices of renal function in normotensive neonatal foals. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 22, 1210-1215.
    Direct Link:
  • Holtan, D., Houghton, E., Silver, M., Fowden, A.L., Ousey, J. and Rossdale, P.D. (1991) Plasma progestagen in the mare, fetus and newborn foal. J. Reprod. Fertil., Suppl. 44, 517-528.
  • Hurcombe, S.D.A., Toribio, R.E., Slovis, N., Kohn, C.W., Refsal, K., Saville, W. and Mudge, M.C. (2008) Blood arginine vasopressin, adrenocorticotropin hormone, and cortisol concentrations at admission in septic and critically ill foals and their association with survival. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 22, 639-647.
    Direct Link:
  • Jellyman, J.K., Allen, V.L., Forhead, A.J., Holdstock, N.B. and Fowden, A.L. (2011) Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in pony foals after neonatal glucocorticoid overexposure. Equine Vet. J. 44 ( Suppl. 41 ), 38-42.
  • Lesage, J., Blondeau, B., Grino, B., Breant, B. and Dupouy, J.P. (2001) Maternal undernutrition during late gestation induces fetal overexposure to glucocorticoids and intrauterine growth retardation and disturbs the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the newborn rat. Endocrinology 142, 1692-1702.
  • Liggins, G.C. (1994) The role of cortisol in preparing the fetus for birth. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 6, 141-150.
  • Lyle, S.K., Hague, M., Lopez, M.J., Beehan, D.P., Staempfli, S., Len, J., Eilts, B.E. and Paccamonti, D.L. (2010) In vitro production of cortisol by equine fetal adrenal cells in response to ACTH and IL-1B. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 121, S322-323.
  • McMillen, I.C. and Robinson, J.S. (2005) Developmental origins of metabolic syndrome: prediction, plasticity and programming. Physiol. Rev. 85, 571-633.
  • Morris, S., Kelleman, A.A., Stawicki, R.J., Hansen, P.J., Sheerin, P.C., Sheerin, B.R., Paccamonti, D.L. and LeBlanc, M.M. (2007) Transrectal ultrasonography and plasma progestin profiles identifies feto-placental compromise in mares with experimentally induced placentitis. Theriogenology 67, 681-691.
  • Muhlhauser, B.S., Duffield, J.A., Ozanne, S.E., Pilgrom, C., Turner, N., Morrison, J.L. and McMillen, I.C. (2009) The transition from fetal growth restriction to accelerated postnatal growth: A potential role for insulin signaling in skeletal muscle. J. Physiol. 587, 4199-4211.
    Direct Link:
  • Murray, M.J. and Luba, N.K. (1993) Plasma gastrin and somatostatin and serum thyroxine (T4), tri-iodothyronine (T3), reverse tri-iodothyronine (rT3) and cortisol concentrations in foals from birth to 28 days of life. Equine Vet. J. 25, 237-239.
    Direct Link:
  • O'Connor, S.J., Fowden, A.L., Holdstock, N., Giussani, D.A. and Forhead, A.J. (2002) Developmental changes in pulmonary and renal angiotensin converting enzyme concentration in fetal and neonatal horses. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 14, 413-417.
  • O'Connor, S.J., Gardner, D.S., Ousey, J.C., Holdstock, N., Rossdale, P.D., Edwards, C.M.B., Fowden, A.L. and Giussani, D.A. (2005) Development of the baroreflex and endocrine responses to hypotensive stress in the newborn foal and lamb. Pflugers Arch. 450, 298-306.
  • O'Connor, S.J., Ousey, J.C., Gardner, D.S., Fowden, A.L. and Giussani, D.A. (2006) Development of baroreflex function and peripheral vascular reactivity in the horse fetus. J. Physiol. 572, 155-164.
  • Ousey, J.C. (2004) Perinatal endocrinology in the mare and fetus. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 39, 222-231.
    Direct Link:
  • Ousey, J.C., Dudan, F. and Rossdale, P.D. (1984) Preliminary studies of mammary secretions in the mare to assess foetal readiness for birth. Equine Vet. J. 16, 259-263.
    Direct Link:
  • Ousey, J.C., Forhead, A.J., Rossdale, P.D., Grainger, L., Houghton, E. and Fowden, A.L. (2003) The ontogeny of uteroplacental progestagen production in pregnant mares during the second half of gestation. Biol. Reprod. 69, 540-548.
  • Ousey, J.C., Fowden, A.L., Rossdale, P.D., Grainger, L. and Houghton, E. (2001) Plasma progestagens as markers of feto-placental health. Pferdeheilkunde 17, 574-578.
  • Ousey, J.C., Fowden, A.L., Wilsher, S. and Allen, W.R. (2008) The effects of maternal health and body condition on the endocrine responses of neonatal foals. Equine Vet. J. 40, 673-679.
    Direct Link:
  • Ousey, J.C., Freestone, N., Fowden, A.L., Allen, W.R. and Rossdale, P.D. (2000a) The effects of oxytocin and progestagens on myometrial contractility during equine pregnancy. J. Reprod. Fertil., Suppl. 56, 681-691.
  • Ousey, J.C., Rossdale, P.D., Palmer, L., Grainger, L. and Houghton, E. (2000b) Effects of maternally administered Depot ACTH1-2α on fetal maturation and the timing of parturition in the mare. Equine Vet. J. 32, 489-496.
    Direct Link:
  • Ousey, J.C., Ghatei, M., Rossdale, P.D. and Bloom, S.R. (1995) Gut hormone responses to feeding in healthy pony foals aged 0–7 days. Biol. Reprod. Mono. 1, 87-96.
  • Ousey, J.C., Kölling, M., Kindahl, H. and Allen, W.R. (2011) Maternal dexamethasone treatment in late gestation induces precocious fetal maturation and delivery in healthy Thoroughbred mare. Equine Vet. J. 43, 424-429.
    Direct Link:
  • Ousey, J.C., Rossdale, P.D., Dudan, F.E. and Fowden, A.L. (1998) The effects of intra-fetal ACTH administration on the outcome of pregnancy in the mare. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 10, 359-367.
  • Ousey, J.C., Rossdale, P.D., Fowden, A.L., Palmer, L., Turnbull, C. and Allen, W.W. (2004) The effects of manipulating intra-uterine growth on postnatal adrenocortical development and other parameters of maturity in neonatal foals. Equine Vet. J. 36, 616-621.
    Direct Link:
  • Ozanne, S.E. and Hales, C.N. (1999) The long term consequences of intra-uterine protein malnutrition for glucose metabolism. Proc. Nutr. Soc. 58, 615-619.
  • Panzani, S., Villani, M., McGladdery, A., Magri, M., Kindahl, H., Galeati, G., Martino, P.A. and Veronesi, M.C. (2009) Concentrations of 15-ketodihydro-PGF2α, cortisol and progesterone in the plasma of healthy and pathaolgic newborn foals. Theriogenology 72, 1032-1040.
  • Pashen, R.L. and Allen, W.R. (1979) The role of the fetal gonads and placenta in steroid production, maintenance of pregnancy and parturition in the mare. J. Reprod. Fertil., Suppl 27, 499-509.
  • Rossdale, P.D., McGladdery, A.J., Ousey, J.C., Holdstock, N., Grainger, L. and Houghton, E. (1992) Increase in plasma progestagen concentrations in the mare after foetal injection with CRH, ACTH or betamethasone in late gestation. Equine Vet. J. 24, 347-350.
    Direct Link:
  • Rossdale, P.D. and Ousey, J.C. (2002) Fetal programming for athletic performance in the horse: potential effects of IUGR. Equine Vet. Educ. 14, 98-112.
    Direct Link:
  • Rossdale, P.D., Ousey, J.C., Cottril, C.M., Chavatte, P., Allen, W.R. and McGladdery, A.J. (1991) Effects of placental pathology on maternal plasma progestagen and mammary calcium concentrations and on neonatal adreno-cortical function in the horse. J. Reprod. Fertil., Suppl. 44, 579-590.
  • Rossdale, P.D., Ousey, J.C., Silver, M. and Fowden, A.L. (1984) Studies on equine prematurity VI: guidelines for assessment of foal maturity. Equine Vet. J. 16, 300-302.
    Direct Link:
  • Rossdale, P.D. and Silver, M. (1982) The concept of readiness for birth. J. Reprod. Fertil., Suppl 32, 507-510.
  • Rossdale, P.D., Silver, M., Comline, R.S., Hall, L.W. and Nathanielsz, P.W. (1973) Plasma cortsiol in the foal during the late fetal and early neonatal period. Res. Vet. Sci. 15, 395-397.
  • Rossdale, P.D., Silver, M., Ellis, L. and Frauenfelder, H. (1982) The response of the adrenal cortex to tetracosactrin (ACTH1-24) in the premature and full term foal. J. Reprod. Fertil., Suppl. 32, 545-553.
  • Sangild, P.T., Fowden, A.L. and Trahair, J.F. (2000) How does the fetal gastrointestinal tract develop in preparation for enteral nutrition after birth? Livest. Prod. Sci. 66, 141-150.
  • Silver, M. (1990) Prenatal maturation, the timing of birth and how it may be regulated in domestic animals. Exp. Physiol. 75, 285-307.
  • Silver, M. (1994) Placental progestagens in the sheep and horse and the changes leading to parturition. Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. 102, 203-211.
  • Silver, M., Cash, R.S.G., Dudan, F., Fowden, A.L., Knox, J., Ousey, J.C. and Rossdale, P.D. (1984) Postnatal adrenocortical activity in relation to plasma ACTH and catecholamine levels in term and premature foals. Equine Vet. J. 16, 278-286.
    Direct Link:
  • Silver, M. and Fowden, A.L. (1994) Prepartum adrenocortical maturation in the fetal foal: responses to ACTH(1-24). J. Endocrinol. 142, 417-425.
  • Silver, M. and Fowden, A.L. (1995) Sympathoadrenal and other endocrine and metabolic responses to hypoglycaemia in the fetal foal during late gestation. Exp. Physiol. 80, 651-662.
  • Silver, M., Fowden, A.L., Knox, J., Ousey, J., Cash, R. and Rossdale, P.D. (1991) Relationship between circulating tri-iodothyronine and cortisol in the perinatal period of the foal. J. Reprod. Fertil., Suppl. 44, 619-626.
  • Silver, M., Fowden, A.L., Ousey, J.C., Knox, J., Franco, R. and Rossdale, P.D. (1987) Sympathoadrenal response to hypoglycaemia in the foal. J. Reprod. Fertil., Suppl. 35, 607-614.
  • Spurlock, S.L. and Furr, M. (1990) Disorders of glucose metabolism. In: Equine Clinical Neonatology, Ed: A.M. Koterba, W.H. Drummond and P.C. Kosch, Lea & Febinger, Philadelphia. pp 684-686.
  • Valenzuela, O.A., Jellyman, J.K., Holdstock, N.B., Allen, V.L., Forhead, A.J. and Fowden, A.L. (2011) Neonatal overexposure to natural glucocorticoids programs insulin sensitivity in yearling foals. J. DoHaD. 2 ( Suppl. 1 ), pIII-323.
  • Webb, P.D. and Stevens, D.H. (1981) Development of the adrenal cortex in the fetal foal: an ultrastructural study. J. Dev. Physiol. 3, 59-73.
  • Wong, D.M., Vo, D.T., Alcott, C.J., Stewart, A.J., Peterson, A.D., Sponsellar, B.A. and Hsu, W.H. (2009) Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests in healthy foals from birth to 12 weeks of age. Can. J. Vet. Res. 73, 65-73.
  • Wood, C.E. and Cudd, T.A. (1997) Development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of the equine fetus: a comparative review. Equine Vet. J. 24, 74-82.
View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (730K)