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It’s All in the Family
Before that precious foal is so much as a "twinkle in its mother's eye," an Omega-3 fatty acid feed supplement can start playing a role in reproductive health, from supporting sperm motility in the future sire, to maintaining a normal, nutritious, full-term pregnancy in the mare.
Omega-3's ability to support reproduction, gestation, and foal development makes it one fatty acid whose benefits really are "all in the family."
Fats and oils are no strangers to an equine diet, having traditionally been added to enhance body condition, improve performance, or as a source of energy during exercise.
Traditionally, this supplemental fuel for high performance equine engines has come from Omega-6 fats, such as corn or soybean oil; but in recent years, interest has grown in the potential health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids.
As early as 1997, research on multiple species, presented by E.P. Trujillo, suggested that Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or other Omega-3 fatty acids might favorably affect reproduction in females and males.
Studies in cattle and other mammals then showed that altering the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio may alter the number and size of ovarian follicles, ovulation rate, progesterone production, and gestational length. (Abayasekara et al, 1999). DHA/Omega-3 appears to help balance the fatty acid ratios important to reproductive performance.
By 2007-2009, separate studies in cattle and women suggested that Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could benefit fertility and reduce the risk of preterm labor. DHA proved it could also cross the placenta to be stored in the body and breast milk.
In light of such results, more equine health experts are beginning to acknowledge that it is plausible, albeit not yet proven, that DHA status could also benefit an unborn foal.
In 2010, Dr. Mark Arns, Professor and Equine Specialist at the University of Arizona-Tucson, began studying the effects of DHA on reproduction function in the mare, and observed, "Early embryonic loss is one of the major factors contributing to low pregnancy rates in the equine industry. The potential benefits of fatty acid supplementation, especially for older mares or mares with poor reproductive tract physiology, include increased pregnancy rates, decreased early embryonic losses, and increased pre-ovulatory follicle size.
"If benefits are found from supplementation, the equine breeding industry would benefit from increased reproductive efficiency, and decreased economic losses associated with early embryonic loss.
Supplementing the broodmare supplements the foal. Mare nutrition greatly impacts growth and development, first through the placenta prior to birth and after foaling, through milk and colostrum. Proper nutrition just as logically influences milk quantity and quality to her newborn, and thus, may affect foal vigor as well as soundness.
Mammal moms fed Omega 3s, like DHA, share its benefits with their unborn offspring. Why? In part, because DHA is among the fatty acids found in neural (related to nerves or the nervous system) tissue and eyes. DHA helps with nerve function by supporting red blood cell metabolism: cell membranes that are healthy and flexible can better deliver oxygen and maintain blood supply key to overall optimum function.
Nutritional science researchers at Arenus say DHA may have its "biggest impact" on fetal development. When fed to pregnant mares, high quality Omega-3s have been shown to optimize fetal brain, eye, and cardiovascular development (Brinsko et al 2005; Cheng et al, 2001; Wathes et al, 2007). After foaling, DHA/Omega-3 continues to transfer to the foal through the milk to support cognitive function, and boost a newborn's immunity and resistance to infection.
Omega-3 support not only helps a mare carry a healthier foal but also affects her ability to recover after foaling and conceive again.
And on the other side of the breeding shed, Omega-3/DHA supplementation in stallions has shown to improve sperm motility. A 2007 study (Wathes, et al) declared oxidative (electron-losing) stress has clear associations with reduced fertility, Once again, DHA helps through its support of membrane fluidity: healthy cell membranes help sensitive spermatozoa combat oxidative damage.
RELEIRA™ by Arenus is a daily Omega-3 feed supplement that provides DHA, along with the anti-oxidant benefits of Vitamins D and E, to foals, broodmares and stallions to underscore developmental and reproductive support. The DHA in RELEIRA originates from a vegetarian, micro-algae source – not fish oil – so it is free of oceanic pollutants and toxins, and is more palatable to herbivores like horses.
Thanks to RELEIRA it's easy to keep good reproductive health all in the family, all season long.
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