Changes in faecal bacteria and metabolic parametersin foals during the first six weeks of life

Juliane Kuhl (1, 2) , Nora Winterhoff , Manuela Wulf (1) , Florian J. Schweigert (3) , Ilse Schwendenwein (2) , Rupert M. Bruckmaier (4) , Jörg E. Aurich (2) , Peter Kutzer , Christine Aurich (1, 2)

1 Graf Lehndorff Institute for Equine Science
2 University of Veterinary Science
3 University of Potsdam = Universität Potsdam
4 Vetsuisse Faculty

Many foals develop diarrhoea within the first two weeks of life which has been suggested to coincide with postpartum oestrus in their dams. To analyse the pathogenesis of this diarrhoea we have determined faecal bacteria in foals and their dams (n=30 each), and serum IGF-1 and γ-globulins for 6 weeks after birth. In addition, effects of ß-carotene supplementation to mares (group 1: 1000mg/day, n=15, group 2: control, n=15) on diarrhoea in foals were studied. Diarrhoea occurred in 92 and 79% of foals in groups 1 and 2, respectively, but was not correlated with oestrus in mares. Beta-carotene supplementation was without effect on foal diarrhoea. In mares, bacterial flora remained stable. The percentage of foals with cultures positive for was low at birth but increased within one day, the percentage positive for was low for 10 days and for sp. and sp. was low for 2 to 4 weeks. By 4 weeks of age, bacterial flora in foals resembled an adult pattern. Concentration of serum IGF-1 was low at birth (group 1: 149±11, group 2: 166±17ng/ml), increased after day 1 (day 7 group 1: 384±30, group 2: 372±36) but at no time differed between groups. Serum γ-globulin concentration in foals was low before colostrum intake and highest on day 1 (p<0.001 over time). In conclusion, neonatal diarrhoea in foals does not coincide with postpartum oestrus in their dams but with changes in intestinal bacteria and is not influenced by β-carotene supplementation given to mares.

Mots clés: foal; diarrhoea; faecal bacteria; IGF-I; carotene supplementation

Domaines: Médecine vétérinaire et santé animale

Juliane Kuhl, Nora Winterhoff, Manuela Wulf, Florian J. Schweigert, Ilse Schwendenwein, et al.. Changes in faecal bacteria and metabolic parametersin foals during the first six weeks of life. Veterinary Microbiology, 2011, 151 (3-4), pp.321. ⟨10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.03.017⟩. ⟨hal-00717085⟩