Physiological Correlation between Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis, Leptin, UCP1 and Lipid Panel in Mares during Late Pregnancy and Early Postpartum Period

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Several features of periparturient mares’ physiology have been investigated; however, the possible linkage between HPA axis, leptin, and lipid metabolism in periparturient mares has received little attention. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes of adrenocorticotrophic hormone, cortisol, leptin, UCP1, lipids and liproteins levels in mares during late pregnancy and the postpartum period. The findings obtained in the current survey showed a dynamic modulation of studied parameters, namely the response to hormonal and metabolic adaptations, occurring during the peripartum period in mares. This study suggests an interaction of the HPA axis with lipid metabolism in mares, probably to deal with the metabolic load occurring during pregnancy and with lactation energy supplies. ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the dynamic change of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, leptin, mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), lipids and lipoproteins in mares during late pregnancy and the postpartum period. A total of 20 mares (10 pregnant mares, monitored from 14 ± 2 days before expected foaling until 14 days after foaling, Group A; 10 non-pregnant and non-lactating mares, Group B) were enrolled in the study. Body Condition Score (BCS) and body weight (BW) values were recorded from each animal. In Group A, blood samples were collected on days 14 ± 2 and 7 ± 2 before foaling (T(−14); T(−7)), and on days 7 and 14 after foaling (T(+7); T(+14)). From mares of Group B, blood samples were collected at the beginning of the study. The levels of ACTH, cortisol, leptin, UCP1, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), triglycerides and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs) were investigated. While BCS showed no statistical change throughout the monitoring period (p > 0.05), all the other studied parameters displayed statistically significant variations in Group A over the peripartum period (p < 0.0001). A significant effect of pregnancy was found on all studied parameters (p < 0.001). The ACTH and cortisol levels measured in mares belonged to Group A showed a significant positive correlation with the values of leptin, LDLs, triglycerides and VLDLs, whereas they were negatively correlated with the serum UCP1 and NEFAs values. Together, the findings gathered in this study highlight a dynamic change of serum leptin, UCP1 and lipid parameters in peripartum mares and suggest an interaction of the HPA axis with lipid metabolism and mobilization in mares during the peripartum period in order to deal with metabolic and energy demand and maintain energy homeostasis.