Metabolic rates were determined during the first and last gestation periods in Arab mares raised on Coast-cross(Cynodon dactylon) pasture. For this study, blood, urine and stool samples were collected and body measures were taken. The mares had a weight gain, from the beginning till the end of the gestation, of 69,4 kg. Total protein values in the blood had shown a significant increase (P<0,05) from the first to the last gestation month, while the albumin values decreased. The ratio of albumin : protein was constant during the gestation, reflecting balance in the protein feeding. The levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and zinc in the blood serum did not suffer any alteration during pregnancy. The same could be observed with total protein, glucose, creatinin and urea in the urine. The calcium and magnesium levels in the urine had an increase (P<0,05) of the beginning to the end of gestation. Conversely, the phosphorus and potassium decreased (P<0,05) due to increased mobilization of these elements in the final period, as result of fetal growth. In the stools, the protein, calcium, phosphorus and potassium levels decreased (P<0,05) at the beginning and end of pregnancy, probably due to greater mobilization and an increase of nutritional needs. Analysis of the data allowed to conclude that most of the analyzed elements were eliminated in the urine, with the exception of the microminerals, which were eliminated in the stools. Considering the development of the animals during pregnancy the biochemical parameters obtained in this study can be considered as reference values for Arab pregnant mares raised exclusively on Coast-cross pasture.
Arab mares; biochemical parameters; gestation
