By
Lindsey Stornetta
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, Platinum Performance®
Lindsey Stornetta,
Platinum Performance®
Lindsey Stornetta has been assisting equine veterinarians and high-level riders with her expertise in advanced nutrition for over 15 years. A lifelong horsewoman and competitive barrel racer herself, Lindsey has a deeply held passion for all aspects of the equine world, from high performance sport to the intricacies of veterinary medicine.
Nutrition Supports Reproduction in Mares and Stallions
Addressing fertility at the cellular level with advanced nutrition is an important tool to support reproduction in both mares and stallions. Good nutrition is linked to everything from oocyte quality, placental health and embryonic development to sperm viability, motility and count. Starting mares and stallions on an optimized supplementation program before the start of breeding season will help to ensure a successful outcome, from collection to conception, and from gestation to foaling.
“Nutrition allows us to help the entire horse, and it’s one of our most important methods. There is more and more great research coming out regarding the benefits of nutrition, particularly omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. They affect so much on the outside of the horse that you just have to think there are positive effects on the inside too.”
— Charlie Scoggin, DVM, MS, DACT, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital
Foal Health
After the newborn foal arrives, advanced nutrition continues to support the mare and foal through the nursing and weaning stages. Early supplementation can support proper bone formation, connective tissue health and provide the building blocks for overall long-term health.
Administer 1/2 scoop of Platinum Performance® Equine twice daily as soon as foals start nibbling on solid feed.
- For added digestive support, feed 1 scoop of Platinum Balance® daily.
- For young horses at risk for developmental issues, administer 1/2 scoop of Osteon® twice daily.
- As needed for occasional diarrhea, administer 3 tablespoons of Bio-Sponge® powder or 30 cc of Bio-Sponge® paste twice daily.
New Research
Nutritional Intervention to Support Reproductive Success in Older Mares
Results of a three-part study at Colorado State University’s Equine Reproduction Laboratory demonstrated the impact of nutritional intervention on age-related reproductive cases. The outcome demonstrated that diet has the potential to alter reproductive success in mares by ultimately having a direct effect on the ovarian follicle and oocyte.
STUDY: Oocytes were collected from maturing, dominant follicles of older mares to determine whether short-term dietary supplementation can alter oocyte metabolic function, lipid composition and developmental potential.
OUTCOME: Compared to standard grain-based diets, oocytes from mares supplemented with a Reproductive Support Supplement* had higher basal oxygen consumption rates, reduced lipid abundance and significantly improved embryonic development rates, specifically blastocyst formation.
* Platinum Performance® Equine with microorganisms and antioxidants to support reproduction.
Oocyte Metabolic Function
Aerobic metabolism based on basal oxygen consumption rate (OCR) Catandi et al., 2022 (P = 0.008)
Mares given the Reproductive Support Supplement* had higher basal OCR, associated with oocyte and embryo viability.
Embryo Development
Embryonic development rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); adapted from Catandi et al., 2021 & 2022 (P < 0.05)
Older mares fed the Reproductive Support Supplement* were better able to develop their fertilized oocytes into blastocysts.
“Dietary supplementation is the most feasible method to improve oocyte function and developmental potential in vivo.”
— Catandi GD, LiPuma L, Obeidat YM, et al. Oocyte metabolic function, lipid composition, and developmental potential are altered by diet in older mares. Reproduction 2022;163:183-198
Nutritional Support for Reproductive Health
Tier 1: Wellness
All Broodmares & Stallions
Targeted supplementation to support mare fertility and semen quality requires a comprehensive blend of nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and antioxidants to support total body health.
Recommended Products:
Platinum Performance® Equine,
Platinum Performance® CJ or
Platinum Performance® GI
Tier 2: Microbiome Health
Breeding Season Support
A healthy microbiome acts as the gatekeeper for reproductive health. Since an estimated 70-80% of the immune system resides in the gut, providing beneficial microorganisms and glutamine is essential to support reproduction.
Recommended Products:
Tier 3: Fertility
Adv. Reproductive Needs
Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, L-carnitine, vitamins E and C and other antioxidants all help mitigate oxidative damage and are essential for the success of numerous reproductive processes.
Recommended Products:
Platinum Performance® GI,
Platinum Potency®,
Platinum Motility Plus®
and Healthy Weight
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