15-Ketodihydro-PGF2alpha and cortisol plasma concentrations in newborn foals after spontaneous or oxytocin-induced parturition.
Abstract: Hormonal changes during early neonatal life play a major role in the physiological processes underlying the maturation of several organs. Since prostaglandins and cortisol are associated with fetal organ system maturation, the aim of this study was to evaluate 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2alpha) (PGM) and cortisol plasma concentrations during the first 21 days after birth in foals born by either spontaneous (24 foals) or low-dose oxytocin (OT)-induced parturition performed after at least 320 gestational days (25 foals) since induction is often considered to be a cause of prematurity. After spontaneous birth, the PGM concentration was significantly (P<0.05) higher at 20 and 30min compared to samples taken several hours or days later, while induced foals showed significantly (P<0.05) higher concentrations at 10, 20, and 30min. Regarding differences between the two groups, the plasma concentration of PGM was significantly higher 10 (P<0.01), 20 (P<0.05), and 30 (P<0.05)min and 3h (P<0.05) after birth in induced foals compared to foals born by spontaneous parturition. It is difficult to determine whether the higher initial PGM concentrations in induced foals is related to higher uterine or fetal PGM release induced by exogenous OT stimulation. Cortisol plasma levels in both groups were higher at birth (P<0.05) compared to the later sampling times. No differences were observed between the two groups indicating that the induction protocol used does not seem to result in premature foals.
Publication Date: 2008-11-11 PubMed ID: 19004488DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.09.053Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the impact of birth type on the hormonal changes in newborn foals, comparing those born spontaneously to those birthed through low-dose oxytocin induction. The main focus is on the plasma concentrations of 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2alpha) and cortisol within the first 21 days after birth.
Objective and Methodology
- The primary aim of the research was to understand the variations in 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2alpha) (PGM) and cortisol levels in newborn foals following both spontaneous and oxytocin-induced parturition. The investigators wanted to study this as both of these hormones are believed to be linked with organ maturation in fetal life.
- The researchers compared 24 foals that were born spontaneously with 25 foals for whom birth was induced using low-dose oxytocin, after a minimum 320 gestation days.
- The researchers had the hypothesis that induction is commonly perceived as a cause of premature birth, which influenced their choice of subjects to be studied.
Findings
- In the case of spontaneous birth, the PGM concentration was found to be significantly elevated at 20 and 30 minutes post-birth compared to samples taken several hours or days later.
- For induced foals, however, significantly higher concentrations of PGM were observed at 10, 20, and 30 minutes post-birth.
- When comparing between the two groups, the PGM concentration was significantly higher at 10, 20, and 30 minutes, and three hours post-birth in foals for which birth was induced, compared to those who were born naturally.
- However, it was not possible for the researchers to conclusively identify whether these elevated initial PGM levels in induced foals were related to higher uterine or fetal PGM release stimulated by exogenous oxytocin.
- There were significantly higher levels of cortisol detected in plasma samples of both groups at birth when compared with later sampling times.
- Importantly, there was no observed difference between cortisol levels in the two groups, suggesting that the induction protocol might not result in premature foals as is often perceived.
Conclusion
- While it was observed that the plasma concentrations of PGM were higher in oxytocin-induced foals, the researchers were unable to definitively clarify the underlying cause for this phenomenon.
- The findings pertaining to cortisol levels indicated that oxytocin-induced birth may not lead to premature foals, refuting a longstanding belief.
Cite This Article
APA
Panzani S, Villani M, Govoni N, Kindahl H, Faustini M, Romano G, Veronesi MC.
(2008).
15-Ketodihydro-PGF2alpha and cortisol plasma concentrations in newborn foals after spontaneous or oxytocin-induced parturition.
Theriogenology, 71(5), 768-774.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.09.053 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via G. Celoria, 10 20133 Milan, Italy. sara.panzani@unimi.it
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn / blood
- Dinoprost / analogs & derivatives
- Dinoprost / blood
- Female
- Gestational Age
- Health Status
- Horses / blood
- Hydrocortisone / blood
- Labor, Induced / methods
- Labor, Induced / veterinary
- Oxytocin / administration & dosage
- Pregnancy
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Felici M, Sgorbini M, Baragli P, Lanatà A, Marmorini P, Camillo F. Autonomic nervous system balance in parturient mares: Spontaneous vs induced delivery. PLoS One 2023;18(3):e0283116.
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