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Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2024; 59(3); e14541; doi: 10.1111/rda.14541

Dystocia frequency and causes in horses with pregnancy disorders or a history of dystocia: A prospective study.

Abstract: Dystocia typically presents a life-threatening condition for both the mare and the foal. This prospective long-term study aimed to ascertain whether mares with prior pregnancy disorders or a history of dystocia were at a higher risk of experiencing subsequent dystocia in comparison to those without such medical antecedents. To achieve this goal, the authors analysed 207 parturitions and 164 mares over a 10-year period. Of these, 57 were associated with pregnancy disorders or prior dystocia (Group 1), while 150 parturitions followed uneventful pregnancies in mares that had not yet experienced dystocia (Group 2). Mares in Group 1 were significantly more likely to develop dystocia than those in Group 2 (p = .0180; odds ratio = 2.98). Foetal causes of dystocia were more prevalent than maternal causes (p < .0389). Maternal mortality stood at 0.5%, and neonatal mortality reached 1.9%. The results demonstrate that mares are at significantly higher risk of developing dystocia after experiencing pregnancy disorders or parturition complications during previous pregnancies, emphasizing the need for systematic birth monitoring.
© 2024 The Authors. Reproduction in Domestic Animals published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2024-03-01 PubMed ID: 38426354DOI: 10.1111/rda.14541Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study looks at whether horses (mares) that have had pregnancy complications or difficulties during childbirth (dystocia) are more likely to experience problems with childbirth in the future. The findings suggest that these mares are indeed more at risk, emphasizing the importance of closely monitoring them when they give birth.

Research Methodology

  • The authors conducted a prospective long-term study over 10 years.
  • The sample included 207 instances of childbirth (parturitions) involving 164 mares.
  • Out of these, 57 childbirths involved mares with a history of pregnancy complications or previous childbirth difficulties (Group 1).
  • The rest of the sample (150 childbirths) involved mares with no such history (Group 2).
  • The researchers compared the occurrence of childbirth difficulties in these two groups.

Findings

  • The study found that mares in Group 1 were significantly more likely to experience dystocia than those in Group 2. This means that horses that have had pregnancy complications or previous childbirth difficulties are more likely to experience childbirth difficulties again in the future.
  • The odds ratio of 2.98 suggests that mares with such a history are almost three times more likely to experience dystocia.
  • Foetal causes of dystocia were found to be more common than maternal causes, but both were significant.
  • There was a 0.5% rate of maternal death and a 1.9% rate of neonatal (newborn) death observed in the study.

Conclusion

  • The research highlights the need for careful and systematic monitoring of mares that have previously experienced pregnancy or childbirth complications. Such careful observation may help to mitigate risks during childbirth, thereby reducing the rate of dystocia and associated mortality rates.

Cite This Article

APA
Ellerbrock M, Krohn J, Büttner K, Wehrend A. (2024). Dystocia frequency and causes in horses with pregnancy disorders or a history of dystocia: A prospective study. Reprod Domest Anim, 59(3), e14541. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14541

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 59
Issue: 3
Pages: e14541

Researcher Affiliations

Ellerbrock, Markus
  • Veterinary Clinic for Reproductive Medicine and Neonatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Krohn, Judith
  • Veterinary Clinic for Reproductive Medicine and Neonatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Büttner, Kathrin
  • Unit of Biomathematics and Data Processing, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-Universität-Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Wehrend, Axel
  • Veterinary Clinic for Reproductive Medicine and Neonatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Pregnancy
  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Female
  • Prospective Studies
  • Dystocia / epidemiology
  • Dystocia / veterinary
  • Fetus
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology

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This article includes 25 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. 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).
    doi: 10.3390/ani16020199pubmed: 41594388google scholar: lookup
  2. Ellerbrock M, Krohn J, Büttner K, Wehrend A. Isolated and multiple causes of equine dystocia. Acta Vet Scand 2024 Oct 11;66(1):55.
    doi: 10.1186/s13028-024-00772-8pubmed: 39394153google scholar: lookup
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