PMSG Extraction from Mares

The practice of using horses for blood collection has been sharply criticized in recent years. In particular, in South America and Iceland, pregnant mares are subjected to the extraction of five to ten liters of blood weekly to obtain the hormone PMSG/eCG (Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin/equine Chorionic Gonadotropin), which is used in pig farming. To increase the profitability of these operations, PMSG is used by European pig producers for estrus synchronization and to trigger puberty development. Additionally, the hormone can also increase litter size, either as a desired or unwanted side effect.

Foals from mares used for PMSG extraction are either aborted as fetuses or slaughtered after birth. Many mares do not survive the procedure, which is associated with significant health risks.

The collaboration between Stephanie Krämer, Professor of Laboratory Animal Science and Animal Welfare at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and the animal welfare organization Animal Welfare Foundation e.V., focuses on the practices of PMSG extraction.

The collaboration between Stephanie Krämer, Professor of Laboratory Animal Science and Animal Welfare at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and the animal welfare organization Animal Welfare Foundation e.V., focuses on the practices of PMSG extraction.

The German animal welfare organization Animal Welfare Foundation e.V. (AWF) has been documenting and reporting on the conditions in South American blood farms since early 2015. Research by this non-profit, internationally active organization based in Freiburg reveals that in Argentina and Uruguay, over 10,000 mares are mistreated and exploited for industrial meat and milk production in Europe. As of 2022, there have been no changes to the animal welfare violations associated with blood collection practices. The organization is also active in Europe and conducted research from 2019 to 2022 in Iceland, which is considered the primary production country for the hormone in Europe. Following the scandal involving blood farms in Uruguay and Argentina that came to light in 2015, several pharmaceutical companies halted the import of PMSG from these countries and now source the hormone from Iceland. The management of horses on large natural pastures in Iceland is relatively cost -effective. According to the organization's 2021 research, approximately 5,300 pregnant, semi-wild mares across 119 farms had their blood regularly collected.

The undercover video and photographic footage captured by AWF in South America and Iceland reveals the extent of severe animal welfare violations at blood farms.

The extensive material demonstrates how blood collection is conducted and the stresses the animals are subjected to during the process.

Prof. Stephanie Krämer reviewed the material provided by AWF, conducted an ethological assessment of the mares depicted, and has analyzed the footage in various media formats based on her professional expertise. Her evaluations of the stress levels and veterinary assessment of the health condition of the mares highlight the gravity of the issue and make the significantly violated duty of care towards the horses starkly evident.

A recent ZDF planet e. documentary titled "Stutenfarmen – Pferdeleid für unser Schnitzel" featuring AWF material and interviews with Prof. Stephanie Krämer, aired on February 5, 2023, and can be accessed here in the ZDF Mediathek.

According to a recent press release from AWF dated March 23, 2023, the Icelandic government, following criticism from animal welfare organizations, businesses, and tourism experts, has established a new regulation. This regulation mandates that a decision on the future of PMSG extraction will be made in 2025. Until then, additional data will be collected.

For an initial overview of the legal situation regarding PMSG extraction, see the article PMSG: Illegale Blutspende? Hormongewinnung von tragenden Stuten des CAVALLO Magazins from CAVALLO Magazine and the legal opinion by attorney Lutz Schäffer (2020): Zulässigkeit von Blutentnahmen von trächtigen Stuten nach nationalem Recht im Gebiet der Bundesrepublik (PDF).

For more information on AWF's work and detailed reports and dossiers on their operations in South America and Iceland, please visit here.