Induction of ovarian activity with artificial photoperiod in criollo mares located at 19º9'N

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an artificially long photoperiod of 16 h of light and eight h of darkness on the length of the seasonally anovulatory period and the duration of the transitional period to ovarian activity in Criollo mares, located at 19º 9'N latitude. Twenty two adult Criollo mares, from three to 17 years old, were randomly divided in two groups. The animals on the experimental group (n = 14) were exposed to 16 h of light per day during four months from December to March. The control mares (n = 8) were exposed only to the natural photoperiod in open pens. The interval from the beginning of the artificial light treatment (December 1) to the first ovulation of the year in the experimental group was 88.4 ± 3.6 days and for the control group,137.2 ± 15.0 days (P < 0.01); the interval between the development of the first follicle larger than 30 mm and the first ovulation (vernal transition) was 30.9 ± 2.2 days for the experimental group and 37.6 ± 6.6 days for the control group, this difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The mean diameter of the largest follicle increased gradually from week seven in the experimental group and from week 13, in the control group. Mares from both groups showed anovulatory estrus during the anovulatory season as well as during the transitional period. In the majority of the cases, estrous periods were irregular. The results indicate that exposure to an artificially photoperiod of 16 h of light and eight h of darkness, advances the onset of the vernal transition and the first ovulation in Criollo mares located at latitudes that are relatively close to the equator (19º 9'N); therefore, it can be used to anticipate the beginning of a reproductive program.