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Mare's Condition Could Affect Sex of Foal

Cinch Magazine

Scientists, after a recent study of wild horses in New Zealand, believe that broodmares who are healthiest at the time of conception are more likely to have a colt foal. The study found a striking relationship between the change in a mare’s condition and the sex of her foal. It was found that in mares who were gaining weight at the time of conception, 80% had foals. However, only 3% of mares losing weight gave birth to a colt. Researchers predict the reason to be that strong mares will produce strong foals, and a strong colt would be able to pass the mare’s bloodline to a greater degree than a strong filly. This correlation between the change in the mother’s condition being able to determine the sex of the foal, may be useful to breeding programs in domesticated horses. At present, however, not enough pertaining this relationship is understood. It is assumed that glucose may play a role in these patterns, as when glucose levels were manipulated in mice, a shift in sex ratios was noticed. Still, the relationship remains complicated since glucose is generally well regulated by insulin. Further studies may prove this new found information essential asset in the breeding of sport horses in the future. "

Scientists, after a recent study of wild horses in New Zealand, believe that broodmares who are healthiest at the time of conception are more likely to have a colt foal. The study found a striking relationship between the change in a mare’s condition and the sex of her foal. It was found that in mares who were gaining weight at the time of conception, 80% had foals. However, only 3% of mares losing weight gave birth to a colt. Researchers predict the reason to be that strong mares will produce strong foals, and a strong colt would be able to pass the mare’s bloodline to a greater degree than a strong filly. This correlation between the change in the mother’s condition being able to determine the sex of the foal, may be useful to breeding programs in domesticated horses. At present, however, not enough pertaining this relationship is understood. It is assumed that glucose may play a role in these patterns, as when glucose levels were manipulated in mice, a shift in sex ratios was noticed. Still, the relationship remains complicated since glucose is generally well regulated by insulin.