Comparison of Foaling Prediction Technologies in Periparturient Standardbred Mares.
Abstract: The ability to predict impending foaling is invaluable, as attending foaling improves mare and foal outcome during parturition; therefore, a comparison of foaling prediction technologies is warranted. The purpose of this study was to compare technologies to predict foaling. Forty Standardbred mares were monitored daily for parturition. Prefoaling mammary secretion was collected daily and evaluated using a: calcium titration method (Ca titration), calcium and magnesium strip (Ca and Mg), handheld digital pH device (pH digital), pH strip, and refractometer (Brix). In addition, a birth monitoring system that was attached in the mare's vulva was studied and all positive alarms (foaling) and negative alarms (false alerts) were recorded. Analysis of variance, correlation, and logistic analysis were used to analyze the different technologies and their associations between parity and foal gender. Receiver operator characteristic analysis for cutoff value and subsequently sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values for each technology were obtained. Maiden mares and mares carrying a colt had a longer gestational length. Multiparous and maiden mares had no difference in their prefoaling mammary secretion pH using the digital and pH strip technologies when predicting foaling; however, the calcium concentrations measured using the Ca titration technology were lower in multiparous than in maiden mares. The Ca titration technology was the single best technology to predict when the mare was not going to foal; and when the Ca titration and pH digital were used in combination, their prediction for foaling increased when compared with using each technology individually.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-02-23 PubMed ID: 31133324DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.02.015Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article explores different technologies used to predict foaling in Standardbred mares. The researchers found that among the tested technologies, the calcium titration method was the most reliable predictor of when a mare was not about to foal, while combining the calcium titration with digital pH measurement improved the prediction of impending foaling.
Objective and Methodology
- This study aimed to compare different technologies for accurately predicting foaling in Standardbred mares. Timely prediction of foaling can improve the health outcomes for both the mare and its foal.
- A sample of 40 Standardbred mares about to give birth were closely monitored. Daily samples of their pre-foaling mammary secretions were collected and analyzed using five different methods.
- The methods included a calcium titration method, a calcium and magnesium strip, a handheld digital pH device, a pH strip, and a refractometer (Brix).
- In addition to these methods, a birth monitoring system attached to the mare’s vulva was also studied. All positive (foaling) and negative (false alarms) alerts from this system were recorded for analysis.
- The technologies were then statistically analyzed for accuracy and their associations with the parity (number of pregnancies) and foal gender.
Results
- The research concluded that maiden mares (mares who have never given birth) and those carrying colts (male foals) usually have longer gestational periods.
- There was not significant difference in pre-foaling mammary secretion pH between multiparous mares (who have had more than one pregnancy) and maiden mares when predicting foaling using the digital and pH strip technologies.
- However, calcium concentrations measured by the calcium titration method were lower in multiparous mares than maiden mares.
Conclusion
- The results showed that the calcium titration method was the most effective technology in predicting when the mare would not foal.
- Combining both the calcium titration method and the digital pH measurement yielded improved results when predicting impending foaling, compared to using each technology individually.
Cite This Article
APA
Diel de Amorim M, Montanholi Y, Morrison M, Lopez Rodriguez M, Card C.
(2019).
Comparison of Foaling Prediction Technologies in Periparturient Standardbred Mares.
J Equine Vet Sci, 77, 86-92.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.02.015 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Electronic address: md649@cornell.edu.
- Animal Production, Welfare and Veterinary Sciences Department, Harper Adams University, Edgmond, United Kingdom.
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Electronic address: claire.card@usask.ca.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Calcium, Dietary
- Delivery, Obstetric / veterinary
- Female
- Horses
- Male
- Parity
- Parturition
- Pregnancy
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Aoki T, Shibata M, Violin G, Higaki S, Yoshioka K. Detection of foaling using a tail-attached device with a thermistor and tri-axial accelerometer in pregnant mares. PLoS One 2023;18(6):e0286807.
- Diel de Amorim M, Dong L, Byron M, Foster RA, Klein C, Saleh M, Saleh T, Card C. Characterization of serum and tissue oxytocinase and tissue oxytocin in the pregnant and non-pregnant mare. Sci Rep 2023 Mar 21;13(1):4616.
- Lanci A, Ingallinesi M, Morini M, Freccero F, Castagnetti C, Mariella J. Fetal Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Hydramnios in a Quarter Horse Mare. Vet Sci 2021 Sep 22;8(10).
- Aoki T, Violin G, Jikihara T, Shibata M, Higaki S, Ozawa T, Furukawa E, Yoshioka K. Prediction of Nocturnal Foaling Using Ventral Tail Base Surface Temperature Recorded by a Wearable Device Attached to the Mare's Tail. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 9;16(2).
- Lindinger H, Wehrend A. Characterization of Typical Behaviors of Mares in the Opening Phase of Parturition-Influence of Parity and Dystocia. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 28;14(7).
- Lindinger H, Wehrend A. Investigating the suitability of a transponder-based birth monitoring system attached to the vulva of a mare. Vet World 2023 Dec;16(12):2451-2456.
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