Feeding For Fertility
To achieve the highest success rates in the OPU-ICSI program, the importance of properly feeding both donor and recipient mares can not be over stated. Healthy, happy, and fertile mares are the foundation of successful breeding.
Here are some insights we’ve gathered over the past four years regarding the oocyte quality of donor mares:
a) Donor mares fed a base diet of hay and silage, supplemented with grains and minerals, produce oocytes of significantly lower quality compared to mares whose base diet is enriched with protein-rich feed andomega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
According to research conducted by Catandi et al., 2022:
b) Only 5-10% of oocytes from donor mares fed hay and grains develop into embryos.
c)In contrast, 30-40% of oocytes from mares fed a diet rich in protein and fatty acids develop into embryos.
This information is also applicable to broodmares, as oocyte quality directly impacts a mare’s ability to conceive. The protein content in the dry matter of supplemental feed for both broodmares and donor mares should be at least 14%. A good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as tocopherol (vitamin E), is cold-pressed hemp oil (oil pressed from husks contains more vitamin E). Hemp oil should be added to the feed at a rate of 30-50 ml per day.
For those interested in learning more, you can read the relevant scientific article or contact us: Catandi et al., 2022. Reproduction, 163, pp. 183–198.
FEEDING TO SUPPORT MARE'S FERTILITY
At InnovumLab, all our donor and recipient mares are fed a diet rich in protein and fatty acids, supplemented with organic cold-pressed hemp oil, which contains high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as tocopherol. We understand that successful embryo development starts long before the OPU-ICSI procedure itself — it begins with your mare’s nutrition.
A dietary supplement designed to support mares’ reproductive health and enhance sport horse performance — improving oocyte quality, increasing embryo production, and boosting pregnancy success—is available to all our clients and anyone considering OPU-ICSI, embryo flushing or artificial insemination. The supplement should be fed to a mare for at least eight weeks prior to OPU, AI or ET to achieve the best results.
To learn more about feeding practices, please contact us to speak with one of our nutrition specialists.
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