Characteristics and spatio-temporal distribution of fetal loss in thoroughbred mares in New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract: Despite emerging disease syndromes in Australian Thoroughbred horses in recent years, there is no formal surveillance for fetal loss in the industry. This study aimed to characterise the distribution of equine pregnancy loss > 45 days of gestation in a major Thoroughbred breeding region to provide insights into causes, prevention, and surveillance feasibility. Methods: Data were collected from 574 fetal loss submissions to veterinary pathology services between February 2015 and November 2021. Variables included date of fetal loss, gestational age, diagnosis, foal weight, and mare age. Diagnoses were grouped into 14 categories, including infectious and non-infectious causes. Time-series analysis was conducted to identify trends and seasonality, while spatial analysis used Kulldorf's space-time permutation scan statistic to detect spatio-temporal clusters of fetal loss cases. Results: Of the 574 cases analysed, 467 had a confirmed cause, with infectious agents responsible for 54 % and non-infectious causes for 46 %. The most common diagnoses were cord occlusion (19.5 %) and unknown causes (18.6 %). Time-series analysis revealed seasonal trends in fetal loss, with a peak in 2016 due to a Chlamydia psittaci placentitis outbreak. This was also the only cause for which spatial clusters were identified. Conclusions: The findings indicate that, while cases of twinning and EHV-1 still exist, conditions such as placentitis due to C. psittaci are emerging. Despite these changes, the overall predictable temporal distribution of pregnancy loss indicates the potential for early outbreak detection within a surveillance system for Thoroughbred pregnancy loss in this region.
Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2025-07-29 PubMed ID: 40774223DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2025.106635Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research aimed to study the cause and distribution pattern of pregnancy loss among Thoroughbred horse breeds in New South Wales, Australia, using data collected over a span of six years. The researchers analyzed the causes and identified patterns, suggesting potential methods for early prevention and monitoring.
Research Methodology
- The data for the study was collected from 574 reported cases of fetal loss recorded between February 2015 and November 2021.
- Several variables were considered for this analysis, including the date of fetal loss, gestational age, diagnosis, weight of the unborn foal, and age of the mare.
- The causes for the pregnancy loss were categorized into 14 groups that included both infectious and non-infectious reasons.
- Time-series analysis was used to identify any trends or seasonal patterns in fetal loss. Spatial analysis (specifically Kulldorf’s space-time permutation scan statistic) was used to identify clusters of fetal loss cases.
Research Findings
- Out of the researched cases, 467 had a confirmed cause: 54% of the cases were caused by infectious agents while 46% were due to non-infectious reasons.
- The most frequent diagnoses were cord occlusion (19.5%) and unknown causes (18.6%).
- A significant finding was seasonal trends in fetal loss. They noticed a peak in 2016, which they associated with an outbreak of Chlamydia psittaci placentitis. The spatial clusters correlated with this outbreak as well.
Conclusions
- While twin pregnancies and cases of EHV-1-related losses still occurred, newer conditions like Chlamydia psittaci placentitis are emerging.
- Despite these changes, the stable temporal distribution pattern of pregnancy loss implies the possibility for early identification of such issues within a monitoring system specific to pregnancy loss among Thoroughbred breeds in this region.
Cite This Article
APA
Wilson CS, Carrick J, Begg A, Shearer P, Stewart M, Brookes VJ.
(2025).
Characteristics and spatio-temporal distribution of fetal loss in thoroughbred mares in New South Wales, Australia.
Prev Vet Med, 244, 106635.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2025.106635 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia; CQUniversity Australia, Institute for Future Farming Systems, Rockhampton, QLD 4702, Australia.
- Equine Specialist Consulting, Scone, NSW 2337, Australia.
- Diagnostic Laboratories Pty Ltd, New Lambton, NSW 2305, Australia.
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia; IDEXX Laboratories, 124/45 Gilby Road, Mount Waverley, Victoria 3149, Australia.
- Starling Scientific Pty Ltd, Pearl Beach, NSW 2256, Australia.
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2008, Australia; Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: Victoria.brookes@sydney.edu.au.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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