Behavior and viability of the premature neonatal foal after induced parturition.

This research investigates the behavior and survival rates of prematurely born foals following induced parturition. The study found that the overall survival rate of the foals was only 5%, with the majority of mortalities related to premature birth and the associated adaptation difficulties.

Methodology

• The study was conducted on two groups of pregnant mares with gestation periods of less than 300 days (49 mares) and between 300 to 320 days (31 mares).
• Parturition was artificially induced through the administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha or fluprostenol and oxytocin.
• The newborn foals were then divided into four groups based on their adaptation abilities and survival duration during the neonatal period.

Observations

• The first group of foals (Group A) showed no reflex coordination, were weak from birth, and died within 90 minutes.
• Group B foals showed limited righting reflexes with poor coordination and a weak suck reflex. However, they showed minor improvements for up to two hours, but subsequently all died within nine hours.
• Group C foals demonstrated a good suck reflex and made attempts to stand. After showing promise for 24 hours, their conditions deteriorated, leading to death within 48 hours.
• The foals in Group D were initially weak as well, but showed rapid clinical improvements and adapted well to their surroundings. These foals survived for at least seven days, denoting the highest survivability among the groups.

Findings and Conclusions

• The overall survival rate of all 80 foals born was a low 5%.
• Most of the Group A foals, who had the lowest survival span, were born at gestational ages less than 300 days, indicating that premature birth is a significant factor affecting their viability.
• However, a small number of foals (nine) from Group A were born after 300 days, and two were delivered as late as up to 319 days, suggesting that post-300-day birth does not guarantee viability.
• The youngest surviving foal was delivered at 318 days, and the remaining three survivors were born at 320 days. Hence, the survivability seems to increase with the length of the gestation period.
• These results pointed to the dangers of prematurely induced parturition, highlighting the issues of immaturity and the stress of parturition as key obstacles to the premature foals’ adaptation and survival.