Clinical Outcome of Transcervical Infusion of a Combination of Procaine Penicillin and Gentamicin in Late-term Pregnant Mares.
Abstract: Transcervical intrauterine infusion of antibiotics may more effectively treat pathogens associated with fetal and neonatal disease in pregnant mares than standard systemic routes. The objective of this study was to assess the safety of transcervical antibiotic infusion by characterizing the gestational outcome in nine healthy pregnant pony mares following a single transcervical infusion of 2.4 million IU of procaine penicillin and 200 mg of gentamicin in a 10 mL volume during late gestation. Assessment of fetal-placental health was performed through serial measurement of the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) and fetal heart rate and mares and foals were closely monitored in the periparturient period. Fetal heart rate and CTUP remained unchanged after infusion, with no evidence of fluid accumulation or significant increase at the time-points 24, 48, and 72 hours. All mares foaled without complication 12-58 days after antibiotic infusion at a mean gestational age of 322.7 ± 12.7 days. Two out of nine foals displayed signs of mild neonatal maladjustment syndrome that responded to minimal supportive care and all foals survived to weaning without further complications.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2021-08-06 PubMed ID: 34670701DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103727Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research is about a study that investigated the safety and efficacy of using a specific method and dosage of antibiotic treatment in late-term pregnant mares to better address potential fetal and neonatal diseases. The study results suggest this method could be viable without causing undue complications to the mares or their foals.
Objective of the Research
- The primary aim of this research was to determine whether a unique approach called transcervical intrauterine infusion of certain antibiotics would be safe and more effective than standard treatment paths in combating pathogens that could cause fetal and neonatal diseases in late-term pregnant mares.
Overview of the Method
- Nine healthy pregnant pony mares were administered a single dose of 2.4 million IU of procaine penicillin and 200mg of gentamicin passed into the uterus through the cervix.
- The health of the placenta and fetus was regularly monitored by measuring the thickness of the uterus/placenta and fetal heart rate. Further observations were made during the periparturient phase (the period around delivery).
Findings
- No significant changes were observed in the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta or the fetal heart rate after the antibiotic infusion. Also, no sign of fluid buildup was noticed after 24, 48, and 72 hours of treatment.
- The mares gave birth without any complications between 12 and 58 days after the treatment, reaching a mean gestational age of 322.7 ± 12.7 days.
- Out of the total foals, only two showed signs of a mild condition known as neonatal maladjustment syndrome, which subsided with minimal supportive care. All foals were healthy and survived to weaning, with no further issues.
Implication of the Research
- The study brings out positive potential implications suggesting that a single transcervical infusion of a combination of penicillin and gentamicin in late-term pregnant mares may be a safe and efficient treatment approach for related fetal and neonatal diseases.
Cite This Article
APA
Beachler TM, Papich MG, Andrews NC, Von Dollen KA, Ellis KE, Withowski K, Bailey CS.
(2021).
Clinical Outcome of Transcervical Infusion of a Combination of Procaine Penicillin and Gentamicin in Late-term Pregnant Mares.
J Equine Vet Sci, 106, 103727.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103727 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC; Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC; Claiborne Farm, Paris, KY. Electronic address: sbailey@claibornefarm.com.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Gentamicins
- Horses
- Penicillin G Procaine
- Placenta
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Outcome / veterinary
- Uterus
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Tyrnenopoulou P, Fthenakis GC. Clinical Aspects of Bacterial Distribution and Antibiotic Resistance in the Reproductive System of Equids. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023 Mar 28;12(4).
- Bailey CS, Beachler TM, Mochel JP, Wulf LW, Yaeger M, Kundu D, Withowski K, Papich MG. Penicillin and Gentamicin Concentrations in the Uterine Fluid of Non-Pregnant Mares Following a Single Intrauterine Infusion. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2025 Sep;48(5):389-396.
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