Decreasing pH of mammary gland secretions is associated with parturition and is correlated with electrolyte concentrations in prefoaling mares.
Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine pH of the mammary gland secretions and the corresponding electrolyte concentrations in prefoaling mares. Pregnant mares (seven primiparous and seven multiparous) were monitored daily from 310-320 days of gestation until parturition. Prefoaling mammary gland secretions were collected, and pH was immediately determined with a pH meter and pH strip test. An aliquot of prefoaling mammary secretions was frozen and stored until further analyses. After parturition, samples from day -4 to 0 (day of foaling) were thawed and electrolyte concentrations (ie, Ca(2)(+), Mg(2)(+), Na(+), K(+) and Cl(-)) were determined with an automated analyser. Data were analysed via a mixed model with the mare as a random effect. Correlations were determined between pH and electrolyte concentrations by the Pearson product-moment for each pair. There was significant reduction in pH of mammary secretions on the day of foaling (P<0.0001), and most mares (11/14) with a pH ≤7 foaled within 24 hours. There was high correlation between the two pH methods (r=0.93). Additionally, there were significant (P<0.05) increases in Ca(2+) and K(+) concentrations, and significant decreases in Na(+) and Cl(-) concentrations from one day before to the day of foaling. The pH of mammary secretions was highly and significantly (P<0.001) correlated with Na(+) (r=0.87), Cl(-) (r=0.85), Ca(2+) (r=-0.88); and K(+)(r=-0.80) concentrations, and moderately correlated with Mg(2+) (r=-0.58). Daily evening pH measure of the mammary gland secretions can predict foaling in most mares.
Publication Date: 2013-07-11 PubMed ID: 23845941DOI: 10.1136/vr.101658Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper indicates that a decrease in pH levels in mammary gland secretions in prefoaling mares suggests imminent birth, and these pH levels are linked with alterations in electrolyte concentrations.
Methodology
- The researchers closely examined fourteen pregnant mares, seven primiparous mares (experiencing their first pregnancy), and seven multiparous mares (who have given birth at least once previously).
- These mares were observed daily from 310 to 320 days of their gestation period until they gave birth.
- The researchers collected prefoaling mammary gland secretions from these mares and immediately determined their pH levels using a pH meter and strip test.
- A part of these secretions was frozen and stored for further analysis later.
- Samples that were taken from four days before birth until the day of parturition were then thawed and tested for their electrolyte concentrations. These electrolytes included Calcium (Ca(2+)), Magnesium (Mg(2+)), Sodium (Na(+)), Potassium (K(+)), and Chloride (Cl(-)).
Results
- The researchers found a significant reduction in the pH levels of mammary secretions on the day of foaling, with over two-thirds of the mares (11/14) with a pH less than or equal to 7, foaling within 24 hours.
- Also, a high correlation was discovered between the two pH measurement methods used.
- In terms of electrolyte concentrations, the researchers observed significant increases in Calcium and Potassium, and significant decreases in Sodium and Chloride from the day before to the day of foaling.
Conclusion
- Ultimately, the researchers found a high and noteworthy correlation (P<0.001) between the pH of the mammary secretions and Sodium (0.87), Chloride (0.85), Calcium (-0.88) and Potassium (-0.80) concentrations.
- These findings suggest that daily evening measurements of mammary gland secretion pH levels can help in predicting imminent foaling in most mares.
Cite This Article
APA
Canisso IF, Ball BA, Troedsson MH, Silva ES, Davolli GM.
(2013).
Decreasing pH of mammary gland secretions is associated with parturition and is correlated with electrolyte concentrations in prefoaling mares.
Vet Rec, 173(9), 218.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.101658 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Science, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Electrolytes / analysis
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Mammary Glands, Animal / chemistry
- Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism
- Parturition
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal / metabolism
- Pregnancy, Animal / physiology
- Water-Electrolyte Balance / physiology
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