Prediction of the onset of parturition in horses and cattle

Characterization of Typical Behaviors of Mares in the Opening Phase of Parturition-Influence of Parity and Dystocia

The identification of typical behaviors in stage I of parturition, the opening phase, can be used to improve birth monitoring in the mare. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively analyze mare behavior during the opening phase. Real-time recordings of 66 births involving 56 warmblood mares were analyzed using camera footage. Behaviors such as increased locomotor activity, pawing with front hooves, lifting the tail, rolling, kicking with the hind legs toward the abdomen, and looking at the abdomen increased significantly (p < 0.001) in the four hours preceding parturition. Within the last hour of the observation period, a statistically significant change was observed for the duration of lying in the sternal and lateral position (p < 0.001). Significant correlations were observed between parity and the total number of repetitions of lying in the sternal position (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the birth process influenced the repetitions of lying in the lateral position (p < 0.05). These findings indicate distinct behavioral patterns during the opening phase of parturition, which were evident across the observed mares. Nonetheless, notable individual differences were also identified among the mares.

Dystocia frequency and causes in horses with pregnancy disorders or a history of dystocia: A prospective study

Dystocia typically presents a life-threatening condition for both the mare and the foal. This prospective long-term study aimed to ascertain whether mares with prior pregnancy disorders or a history of dystocia were at a higher risk of experiencing subsequent dystocia in comparison to those without such medical antecedents. To achieve this goal, the authors analysed 207 parturitions and 164 mares over a 10-year period. Of these, 57 were associated with pregnancy disorders or prior dystocia (Group 1), while 150 parturitions followed uneventful pregnancies in mares that had not yet experienced dystocia (Group 2). Mares in Group 1 were significantly more likely to develop dystocia than those in Group 2 (p = .0180; odds ratio = 2.98). Foetal causes of dystocia were more prevalent than maternal causes (p < .0389). Maternal mortality stood at 0.5%, and neonatal mortality reached 1.9%. The results demonstrate that mares are at significantly higher risk of developing dystocia after experiencing pregnancy disorders or parturition complications during previous pregnancies, emphasizing the need for systematic birth monitoring.

Investigating the suitability of a transponder-based birth monitoring system attached to the vulva of a mare

Background and Aim

In horse breeding, birth monitoring is an important factor in minimizing losses during parturition. Although different birth monitoring systems are available for this purpose, the current literature lacks systematic suitability analyses. This study aimed to address this gap in the literature. In order to achieve this, we examined a large number of foaling mares to assess the suitability of a transponder-based birth monitoring system attached to the vulva.

Materials and Methods

Seventy warmblood mares were observed during foaling, and 86 foals were born during the foaling seasons of 2021 and 2022. Video surveillance in the foaling stable provided video recordings of births. This allowed the opportunity to assess the birth monitoring system's reporting accuracy. The exact times and reasons for each alarm were documented and the proportions of correctly detected births, false alarms, and unrecognized births were calculated.

Results

Overall, 96.5% of foalings were correctly detected using the birth monitoring system, with a sensitivity rate of 96% and a specificity rate of 91%. False alarms were primarily caused when a mare rubbed her tail against the stable walls.

Conclusion

These data suggest that the tested transponder is well suited for monitoring the birth of mares. However, it is recommended that this method should be used in combination with other birth monitoring methods because not all births were detected correctly.

Detection of foaling using a tail-attached device with a thermistor and tri-axial accelerometer in pregnant mares

It is desirable to attend to the mare at the time of foaling in order to assist fetal delivery and prevent complications. The early detection of the onset of labor is an important issue for the equine industry. The purpose of this study was to examine the applicability of a sensor for foaling detection using the data of surface temperature (ST), roll angle (rotation about the y-axis) and y-axis (long axis of the tail) acceleration which were collected from a multimodal device attached to the ventral tail base of the mare. The data were collected every 3 minutes in 17 pregnant mares. Roll angle differences from the reference values and the mare's posture (standing or recumbent) confirmed by video were compared and associated. Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.99 when the threshold was set as ± 0.3 radian in roll angle differences. This result clearly showed that the sensor data can accurately distinguish between standing and recumbent postures. The hourly sensor data with a lower ST (LST < 35.5°C), a recumbent posture determined by the roll angle, and tail-raising (TR, decline of 200 mg or more from the reference value in y-axis acceleration) was significantly higher during the last hour prepartum than 2-120 hours before parturition (P < 0.01). The accuracy of foaling detection within one hour was verified using the following three indicators: LST; lying down (LD, change from standing to recumbent posture); and TR. When LST, LD and TR were individually examined, even though all indicators showed that sensitivity was 100%, the precision was 13.1%, 8.1% and 2.8%, respectively. When the data were combined as LST+LD, LST+TR, LD+TR and LST+LD+TR, detection of foaling improved, with precisions of 100%, 32.1%, 56.7% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, the tail-attached multimodal device examined in this present study is useful for detecting foaling.

Accuracy to Predict the Onset of Calving in Dairy Farms by Using Different Precision Livestock Farming Devices

Simple Summary

If the onset of calving can be accurately detected as well as appropriate calving assistance can be performed on a dairy farm, at that time, the prevalence of dystocia, stillbirth, vaginal laceration, retained fetal membranes, and consequent clinical metritis/endometritis can be decreased significantly. Therefore, in order to reduce these losses, our primary task must be to predict the onset of calving accurately and provide timely and professional calving assistance. This review focuses on the diagnostic possibilities and limitations of detecting the onset calving in the field.

Abstract

Besides traditional methods such as evaluation of the external preparatory and behavioral signs, which even presently are widely used also in large dairy farms, there are several new possibilities such as measuring body (intravaginal, ventral tail-base surface, ear surface, or reticulo-ruminal) temperature, detecting behavioral signs (rumination, eating, activity, tail raising) or detecting the expulsion of the device inserted into the vagina or fixed to the skin of the vulva when allantochorion appears in the vulva to predict the onset of the second stage of calving. Presently none of the single sensors or a combination of sensors can predict the onset of calving with acceptable accuracy. At the same time, with the exception of the iVET^® birth monitoring system, not only the imminent onset of calving could be predicted with high accuracy, but a significantly lower prevalence rate of dystocia, stillbirth, retained fetal membranes, uterine diseases/clinical metritis could be reached while calving-to-conception interval was significantly shorter compared with the control groups. These results may confirm the use of these devices in dairy farms by allowing appropriate intervention during calving when needed. In this way, we can reduce the negative effect of dystocia on calves and their dams and improve their welfare.

Mammary gland secretion pH and electrolytes in prepartum Mangalarga Marchador mares

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine pH and the concentrations of Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Chloride (Cl-), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+) and Calcium (Ca2+) in the mammary gland secretion in pre-foaling Mangalarga Marchador (MM) mares to determine the best method to predict parturition in the breed. Forty-two pregnant MM mares were evaluated once daily from 310 days of gestation until parturition. Mammary gland secretion pH, measured by pH meter and pH paper strip, Mg2+, Ca2+ and Cl- levels significantly changed during the last 10 days prior to parturition (p<0.05). The lowest pH mean value (pH meter=6.67±0.42; pH strip=6.23±0.53) and significantly higher mean concentrations of Ca2+ (12.6±5.8mmol/L) and Mg2+ (10.93±3.66mmol/L) were obtained 24 hours prior to foaling (p<0.0001). Chloride levels reduced significantly 8 days prior to parturition (p<0.0001) but remained unchanged until the due date. Mammary gland pH secretion, measured by pH meter and pH paper strip, was effective to predict parturition. Quantitative pH values obtained with the pH meter had a greater accuracy in comparison to pH paper strips, but a strong correlation was found between both methods. Calcium and magnesium were the only electrolytes that changed in concentration immediately prior to parturition and are better indicators of when not to expect foaling.

Differences in hormone levels around parturition in Hanwoo cattle (Bos taurus coreanae) following artificial insemination and embryo transfer

Background

With unique genetic traits, Hanwoo cattle (Bos taurus coreanae) are well‐adapted to the Korean environment. However, their perinatal mortality rate is 2%–3%, which imposes an economic burden.

Objective

Due to insufficient data on hormonal changes around parturition, the timing of parturition is often predicted subjectively; few studies have examined hormones in Hanwoo cattle. We measured the changes in various hormones around parturition, to seek an objective predictor of parturition time.

Methods

In 14 female Hanwoo cattle, we measured progesterone, prolactin and cortisol concentrations daily in jugular vein blood samples, beginning 6 days before parturition until 7 days after parturition. Conception was induced in five animals using artificial insemination. Nine animals received embryo transfer.

Results

During parturition, the concentration of progesterone decreased significantly in the embryo transfer group (n = 9) and in the total population (n = 14); it did not change significantly in the artificial insemination group (n = 5). Prolactin concentration increased on the day of parturition but did not differ significantly among the groups. Cortisol remained constant throughout the study course.

Conclusion

We concluded that parturition time can be predicted in Hanwoo cattle using progesterone concentration. This knowledge can reduce perinatal mortality, which would help to improve farm income and animal welfare.

Induction of parturition in horses - from physiological pathways to clinical applications

Based on the marked variability in physiological equine gestation length, induction of foaling in mares often results in the birth of dysmature foals. Precise prediction of preparedness of the mare for foaling is thus essential. Treatment with glucocorticoids mimics the fetal signal that initiates birth. Repeated daily dexamethasone treatment in late gestation results in birth of mature foals but the time from initiation of treatment to foaling is highly variable and complications such as dystocia have been reported. Contrary to most expectations, treatment of prepartum mares with progestogens does not delay but advances the onset of foaling. Prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) and its analogues are effective to induce foaling but even in mares ready for parturition, foal health remains to some extent unpredictable. This may be caused by a relatively long interval between PGF_2α treatment and birth, exposing the fetus for several hours to uterine contractions. Oxytocin reliably induces foaling towards the end of pregnancy, but when given at high doses is effective also in the pre-viable period of gestation, resulting in birth of premature foals. Recent research has focused on reducing the amount of oxytocin with the aim to induce foaling only in mares prepared for foaling. Mares selected on clinical criteria receive 1 dose of 2.5 to 3.5 IU of oxytocin. Mares not responding to oxytocin are judged not yet ready for foaling and treatment is repeated the earliest after 24 h. This protocol at present is the most reliable and safest way to induce parturition in mares.

Parturition in white rhinoceros

In captive rhinoceros stillbirth and perinatal death are recorded at a rate of 6-17% in the various species. At the same time there is a substantial lack of knowledge on rhinoceros parturition. Yet, predicting parameters for birth and progress of parturition are fundamental for the recognition of dystocia and perinatal problems. Therefore, we here intended to pay close attention to the Achilles heel of the 1.5-2.5 year reproduction cycle in rhinoceros, the parturition. For the prediction of parturition we recorded timelines for pre-birth udder development, genital swelling, milk production, behavioral unrest, and decrease of serum progesterone concentration and the gestational length in 19 white rhinoceros. First, second and third labour stage, foetal presentation and events in perinatal period were recorded to describe normal parturition and establish a guideline for better birth management in rhinoceros. Udder development and genital swelling were observed 3 and 2 weeks prior birth, respectively. Milk production was observed to start up to 3 weeks prior birth and increased significantly in the last week with most significant increase one day before parturition to 50.6 ± 45.4 mL (p < 0.006). Serum progesterone concentration started to decrease 7 days prior parturition and more significantly 48 h before parturition. While behavioral unrest and first stage labour was not observed reliably in all females the break of foetal waters and thus the start of second stage labour was unmistakably observed. Second stage labour, when foetal membranes had ruptured until the foetus was born, took 1:50 ± 0:20 h:min. Eighty-four percent of fetuses were born in anterior presentation (n = 16/19) and the final expulsion took <25 min suggesting that this is the normal presentation in white rhinoceros. In the less frequent posterior presentation final expulsion took up to 47 min. Overall, 95% of calves were born alive. Calves were standing and nursing in 0:55 ± 0:12 min and 3:32 ± 0:53 h:min, respectively. In 10.5% of births (n = 2/19) in anterior presentation perinatal complications occurred. Stillbirth occurred once (5.3% n = 1/19) when the foetus was born in posterior presentation. The recorded gestational length was 506 ± 2d. Delivering live offspring is of key importance to establish a new generation and secure long-term survival of a species. Various pre-birth changes, significant decrease of serum progesterone 48 h prior birth, different labour stages, foetal presentation and perinatal events described here add substantial knowledge on the understanding of normal rhinoceros parturition and may help diagnose dystocia and perinatal complications.