Abstract
<p>The study was carried out to determine the association between morphometric measurements, body fat measured by ultrasound and testicular biometry in horses belonging to the Caballar Mancillas Breeding Facility of the National Police, located in the municipality of Facatativá, Cundinamarca. Morphometrics were performed on 12 adult stallions of 6 breeds, between 5 and 14 years old, which were in the training process and in a reproductive program, and show physical, mental and reproductive well-being. The measurements analyzed were height at the withers (AL), chest circumference (PTm), body length (LCm), neck circumference (CCmU), neck circumference to height at the withers ratio (PCCA), chest circumference to height at the withers ratio (PPTmA), real weight (PBR), skinfold thickness (SFTPCmm), body condition score (CC), fat thickness at the hip (EGC), fat thickness at the base of the tail (EGCO), body mass index (BMIIMC), body fat percentage (PGC), anogenital distance (DAG), scrotal width (AE), and total testicular volume (VTT), estimated daily sperm production (DSO) . To estimate fatness, the body mass index (based on morphometric measurements) and the percentage of body fat (based on ultrasound fat measurements) were calculated. Descriptive statistics and principal component Pearson correlations analysis were performed. The means found for AC, PT, LC, PR, EPC, CC, CCU, EGC, EGCO, IMC, VT, DSO and DAG, AL, PTm, LCm, PCmm, CC, CCm, PB, EG, EC, AE, LTI, ATI, HTI, LTD, ATD, HTD were, respectively, 1.64 ± 5.02 m, 1.93 ± 7.16 m, 1,70 ± 6.93 m, 562 ± 60.29 kg, 8.76 ± 1.06 mm, 5.92 ± 1.08, 1.21 ± 12.80 m, 2.12 ± 0.92 mm, 2.49 ± 0, 48 mm, 206.58 ± 14.53 kg/m2, 538.78 ± 104.39 cm3, 12.80 ± 2.50 x 109, and 48.00 ± 3.64 cm 1,67 ± 0,05 m, 1,95 ± 0,08 m, 1,71 ± 0,06 m, 1,23 ± 0,12 m, 8,83 ± 1,19 mm, 6,92 ± 0,67, 1,23 ± 0,12 m, 562,7 ± 60,3 kg, 2,35 ± 0,66 mm, 2,54 ± 0,72 mm, 12,03 ± 0,87 cm, 10,84 ± 0,64 cm, 6,97 ± 0,56 cm, 8,36 ± 0,76 cm, 10,38 ± 0,87 cm, 6,53 ± 0,43 cm, and 8,88 ± 1,09 cm. High and positive correlations were presented between race and morphometric parameters such as body length, weight with scale, thoracic perimeter and body condition chest circumference and neck circumference. The results of this study allow us to establish that the ultrasonographic measurements of fat thickness at the hip (EGC), and fat thickness at the base of the tail (EGCO), are is an important predictors of the level of fatness in the horse, and can be used in studies of morphometry and clinical evaluation of healthy horses to establish their ideal body condition score, however, it must be deepened since the race plays a determining role.</p>References
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Keywords
body score condition
testicular morphometric
sperm traits