Management of the pregnant mare and long-term consequences on the offspring

Members of COST Action FA0702 GEMINI "Maternal interaction with gametes and embryo", "FA1201 EPICONCEPT "Epigenetics and periconception environment", and BM 1308 SALAAM " Sharing advances on large animal models"; International audience; The study of early developmental conditioning of health and disease in adulthood is particularly relevant in the horse, which is bred mainly to perform in demanding sport challenges. On the basis of this concept, the management of the broodmare could be considered an effective means to produce animals with the desired features. Knowledge on the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease in the equine species remains relatively scarce, with some experimental studies and one single epidemiologic study. Data highlight the determinant role of the maternal environment for postnatal body conformation, immune response, energy homeostasis, osteoarticular status and thyroidal, adrenocortical, and cardiovascular functions of the foal. Most research, however, focuses on the first months/years after birth. Long-term effects on the adult horse phenotype have not been investigated so far.