Dystocia in the Standardbred Mare: A Retrospective Study from 2004 to 2020.
Abstract: Dystocia as a prolonged stage II parturition (>30 min) was associated with a higher risk of complications. The hypothesis of the study was that any type of dystocia could affect the foal’s health, even when the stage II was <30 min. Clinical reports on 222 Standardbred mares and their foals hospitalized at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Bologna from 2004 to 2020 were reviewed. Mares were divided into the Eutocia Group (165, eutocic delivery) and the Dystocia Group (57, dystocic delivery). The incidence of dystocia was 4.9%. Stage II was longer in the Dystocia Group (median 20 min) than in the Eutocia Group (median 12 min). All occurrences of dystocia were retrospectively classified into three categories of severity: mild, moderate and severe dystocia. The occurrence of postpartum complications in mares and neonatal diseases and failure of passive transfer of immunity in foals was higher in the Dystocia Group. Foal venous lactatemia and serum creatine kinase were significantly higher in the Dystocia Group (median 3.9 mmol/L; 262 UI/L respectively) than in the Eutocia Group (median 3.1 mmol/L; 187 UI/L respectively). The APGAR score was lower in the Dystocia Group (median 8) than in the Eutocia Group (median 10) and significantly lower in severe dystocia (median 3). The duration of stage II should not be considered the only parameter of dystocia in mares: even a rapid resolution of dystocia could pose health risks to the foal and the mare.
Publication Date: 2022-06-08 PubMed ID: 35739823PubMed Central: PMC9219446DOI: 10.3390/ani12121486Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 study investigates the impact of dystocia, a difficult or abnormal childbirth process, on the health of Standardbred horse foals. The researchers found that any level of dystocia can affect the health of the foal, and that the duration of the second stage of delivery should not be the sole factor considered when assessing risk.
Background and Hypothesis
- The study revolves around the condition of dystocia, which refers to a difficult or abnormal childbirth process in mares.
- Commonly, dystocia is defined as a prolonged stage II parturition, which lasts for over 30 minutes. However, the researchers proposed that even when this stage is less than 30 minutes, any type of dystocia can pose risks to the foal’s health.
Research Methodology
- Data for the study were collected from clinical reports on 222 Standardbred mares and their foals at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Bologna from 2004 to 2020.
- The mares were divided into two groups: Eutocia Group (165, normal delivery) and the Dystocia Group (57, difficult delivery).
- The researchers retrospectively classified all cases of dystocia into three categories of severity: mild, moderate, and severe.
Key Findings
- The incidence rate of dystocia was found to be 4.9%.
- Stage II was observed to be longer in the Dystocia Group (average 20 min) than in the Eutocia Group (average 12 min).
- Complications post-delivery in mares and neonatal diseases, alongside the failure of passive transfer of immunity in foals, were found to be more prevalent in the Dystocia Group.
- The health markers of foal venous lactatemia and serum creatine kinase were significantly higher in the Dystocia Group than in the Eutocia Group.
- The APGAR score, a quick method to assess the health of newborns, was lower in the Dystocia Group than in the Eutocia Group, with the most severe cases of dystocia displaying the lowest scores.
Conclusions
- The study concluded that the duration of stage II should not be the only determinant of dystocia in mares.
- Even a rapid resolution of dystocia could pose health risks to both the foal and the mare, challenging previous understandings of dystocia and its assessment.
Cite This Article
APA
Lanci A, Perina F, Donadoni A, Castagnetti C, Mariella J.
(2022).
Dystocia in the Standardbred Mare: A Retrospective Study from 2004 to 2020.
Animals (Basel), 12(12), 1486.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12121486 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy.
- Independent Researcher, Località Caiar 25, Caprino Veronese, 37013 Verona, Italy.
- Independent Researcher, Via Frittaia 30/A, Casaleone, 37052 Verona, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy.
- Health Science and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (CIRI-SDV), University of Bologna, 40100 Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
This article includes 80 references
- Rasbech N.O.. Distocie causate dagli annessi fetali e dal cordone.. 1994;pp. 256–259.
- Frazer G.S., Embertson R., Perkins N.R.. Complications of late gestation in the mare.. Equine Vet. Educ. 1997;9:306–311.
- Frazer G.S., Perkins N.R., Embertson R.M.. Normal parturition and evaluation of the mare in dystocia.. Equine Vet. Educ. 1999;11:41–46.
- Christensen B.W.. Parturition.. 2011;pp. 2268–2276.
- Vandeplassche M.. Dystocia.. 1992;pp. 578–587.
- Ginther O.J., Williams D.. On-the-farm incidence and nature of equine dystocias.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 1996;16:159–164.
- McCue PM, Ferris RA. Parturition, dystocia and foal survival: a retrospective study of 1047 births.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2012 Feb;(41):22-5.
- Norton JL, Dallap BL, Johnston JK, Palmer JE, Sertich PL, Boston R, Wilkins PA. Retrospective study of dystocia in mares at a referral hospital.. Equine Vet J 2007 Jan;39(1):37-41.
- Marmorini P., Gargaro A., Panzani D., Rota A., Camillo F.. Retrospective Analysis of the Incidence and Outcome of Dystocia in 601 Standardbred Mares Foalings. 2016;pp. 292–293.
- Vandeplassche M.. The normal and abnormal presentation, position and posture of the foal-fetus during gestation and at parturition.. Vlaams. Diergeneeskd. Tijdschr. 1957;26:68.
- Ginther O.J.. Equine Pregnancy: Physical Interactions Between the Uterus and Conceptus.. Proc. Am. Assoc. Equine Pract. 1998;44:73–104.
- Frazer G.S.. Dystocia management.. 2011;p. 2479.
- Lu K.G., Barr B.S., Embertson R., Schaer B.D.. Dystocia-a true equine emergency.. Clin. Tech. Equine. Prac. 2006;5:145–153.
- Kimura Y, Aoki T, Chiba A, Nambo Y. Effects of dystocia on blood gas parameters, acid-base balance and serum lactate concentration in heavy draft newborn foals.. J Equine Sci 2017;28(1):27-30.
- Chiba A., Aoki T., Itoh M., Yamagishi N., Shibano K.. Hematological and blood biochemical characteristics of newborn heavy draft foals after dystocia.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2017;50:69–75.
- Renaudin CD, Troedsson MH, Gillis CL, King VL, Bodena A. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the equine placenta by transrectal and transabdominal approach in the normal pregnant mare.. Theriogenology 1997 Jan 15;47(2):559-73.
- Bucca S, Fogarty U, Collins A, Small V. Assessment of feto-placental well-being in the mare from mid-gestation to term: transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonographic features.. Theriogenology 2005 Aug;64(3):542-57.
- Santschi E.M., Vaala W.E.. Identification of the high-risk pregnancy.. 2011;pp. 5–15.
- Ellero N, Lanci A, Ferlizza E, Andreani G, Mariella J, Isani G, Castagnetti C. Activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in amniotic fluid at parturition in mares with normal and high-risk pregnancy.. Theriogenology 2021 Sep 15;172:116-122.
- Pirrone A, Mariella J, Gentilini F, Castagnetti C. Amniotic fluid and blood lactate concentrations in mares and foals in the early postpartum period.. Theriogenology 2012 Oct 1;78(6):1182-9.
- Lanci A, Ingrà L, Dondi F, Tomasello F, Teti G, Mariella J, Falconi M, Castagnetti C. Morphological study of equine amniotic compartment.. Theriogenology 2022 Jan 1;177:165-171.
- Embertson R.M.. Referral dystocias.. 2011;pp. 2511–2516.
- Threlfall W.. Retained fetal Membranes.. 2007;pp. 107–113.
- Palmer J.E., Wilkins P.A.. How to use EXIT (ex-utero intra-partum treatment) to rescue foals during dystocia.. Proc. Am. Ass. Equine Pr. 2005;51:281–283.
- Pozor M.. Equine placenta–A clinician’s perspective. Part 1: Normal placenta–Physiology and evaluation.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2016;28:327–334.
- Mariella J, Iacono E, Lanci A, Merlo B, Palermo C, Morris L, Castagnetti C. Macroscopic characteristics of the umbilical cord in Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Warmblood horses.. Theriogenology 2018 Jun;113:166-170.
- Frazer G.S.. Postpartum complications in the mare. Part 2: Fetal membrane retention and conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, bladder and vagina.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2003;15:91–110.
- Canisso I.F., Rodriguez J.S., Sanz M.G., da Silva M.A.C.. A clinical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of retained fetal membranes with an emphasis placed on the critically ill mare.. Equine Vet. Sci. 2013;33:570–579.
- Vaala W.E.. Perinatology.. 2006;pp. 803–804.
- Cash R.S.G.. Colostral quality determined by refractometry.. Equine Vet. Educ. 1999;11:36–38.
- Rampacci E, Mazzola K, Beccati F, Passamonti F. Diagnostic characteristics of refractometry cut-off points for the estimation of immunoglobulin G concentration in mare colostrum.. Equine Vet J 2023 Jan;55(1):102-110.
- Madigan J.E.. Normal equine labor, delivery and newborn vital signs.. 2013;p. 19.
- Castagnetti C, Pirrone A, Mariella J, Mari G. Venous blood lactate evaluation in equine neonatal intensive care.. Theriogenology 2010 Feb;73(3):343-57.
- Koterba A.M.. Management of the intensive care unit: Levels of care, quality control, and care after discharge.. 1990;pp. 769–778.
- Parkinson T.J., Vermunt J.J., Noakes D.E.. E Approach to an Obstetrical Case.. 2019;pp. 203–213.
- Parkinson T.J., Vermunt J.J., Noakes D.E.. Prevalence, causes and consequences of dystocia.. 2019;pp. 214–235.
- Hayes K.E.N.. The Complete Book of Foaling: An Illustrated GUIDE for the foaling Attendant.. 1993;p. 272.
- Bucca S.. Ultrasonographic Monitoring of the Fetus.. 2011;pp. 39–54.
- Sabbagh M, Danvy S, Ricard A. Genetic and environmental analysis of dystocia and stillbirths in draft horses.. Animal 2014 Feb;8(2):184-91.
- Pozor M.. Equine placenta–A clinician’s perspective. Part 2: Abnormalities.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2016;28:396–404.
- Calderwood Mays M.B., LeBlanc M., Paccamonti D.. Route of fetal infection in a model of ascending placentitis.. Theriogenology 2002;58:791–792.
- Macpherson ML. Treatment strategies for mares with placentitis.. Theriogenology 2005 Aug;64(3):528-34.
- Morresey P.R.. How to perform a field assessment of the equine placenta.. Proc. Am. Ass. Equine Pract. 2004;50:409–414.
- Schlafer D.H.. Postmortem examination of the equine placenta, fetus and neonate, methods and interpretation offindings.. Proc. Am. Ass. Equine Pract. 2004;50:144–161.
- Rossdale P.D., Ricketts S.W.. Evaluation of the fetal membranes at foaling.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2002;5:78–82.
- Rosales C, Krekeler N, Tennent-Brown B, Stevenson MA, Hanlon D. Periparturient characteristics of mares and their foals on a New Zealand Thoroughbred stud farm.. N Z Vet J 2017 Jan;65(1):24-29.
- Zaborski D, Grzesiak W, Szatkowska I, Dybus A, Muszynska M, Jedrzejczak M. Factors affecting dystocia in cattle.. Reprod Domest Anim 2009 Jun;44(3):540-51.
- Bellows RA, Lammoglia MA. Effects of severity of dystocia on cold tolerance and serum concentrations of glucose and cortisol in neonatal beef calves.. Theriogenology 2000 Feb;53(3):803-13.
- Ettema JF, Santos JE. Impact of age at calving on lactation, reproduction, health, and income in first-parity Holsteins on commercial farms.. J Dairy Sci 2004 Aug;87(8):2730-42.
- Hansen M., Lund M.S., Pedersen J., Christensen L.G.. Gestation length in Danish Holsteins has week genetic associations with stillbirths, calving difficulty, and calf size.. Livest. Prod. Sci. 2004;91:23–33.
- Phocas F., Laloë D.. Genetic parameters for birth and weaning traits in French specialized beef cattle breeds.. Livest. Prod. Sci. 2004;89:121–128.
- Barrier AC, Haskell MJ. Calving difficulty in dairy cows has a longer effect on saleable milk yield than on estimated milk production.. J Dairy Sci 2011 Apr;94(4):1804-12.
- Freeman DE, Hungerford LL, Schaeffer D, Lock TF, Sertich PL, Baker GJ, Vaala WE, Johnston JK. Caesarean section and other methods for assisted delivery: comparison of effects on mare mortality and complications.. Equine Vet J 1999 May;31(3):203-7.
- Abernathy-Young KK, LeBlanc MM, Embertson RM, Pierce SW, Stromberg AJ. Survival rates of mares and foals and postoperative complications and fertility of mares after cesarean section: 95 cases (1986-2000).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012 Oct 1;241(7):927-34.
- McGladdery A.. Dystocia and postpartum complications in the mare.. Practice 2001;23:74–80.
- Dolente B.A., Sullivan E.K., Boston R., Johnston J.K.. Mares admitted to a referral hospital for postpartum emergencies: 163 Cases (1992–2002). J. Vet. Emerg. Crit. Care. 2005;15:193–200.
- Hurtgen JP. Pathogenesis and treatment of endometritis in the mare: a review.. Theriogenology 2006 Aug;66(3):560-6.
- Frazer G.S.. Dystocia and Fetotomy.. 2007;pp. 417–434.
- Vaala WE. Peripartum asphyxia.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1994 Apr;10(1):187-218.
- Wilkins P.A.. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy: Neonatal encephalopathy.. 2003;pp. 1–9.
- Vaala W.E.. Perinatal asphyxia syndrome in foals.. Curr. Ther. Equine Med. 2002;5:644–649.
- Knottenbelt D.C., Holdstock N., Madigan J.E.. Equine Neonatal Medicine and Surgery.. 2004;pp. 1–27.
- Sun Y, Li L, Song J, Mao W, Xiao K, Jiang C. Intrauterine Hypoxia Changed the Colonization of the Gut Microbiota in Newborn Rats.. Front Pediatr 2021;9:675022.
- Aoki T, Chiba A, Itoh M, Nambo Y, Yamagishi N, Shibano KI, Cheong SH. Colostral and foal serum immunoglobulin G levels and associations with perinatal abnormalities in heavy draft horses in Japan.. J Equine Sci 2020 Jun;31(2):29-34.
- Sgorbini M, Freccero F, Castagnetti C, Mariella J, Lanci A, Marmorini P, Camillo F. Peripartum findings and blood gas analysis in newborn foals born after spontaneous or induced parturition.. Theriogenology 2020 Dec;158:18-23.
- Harvey J.W.. Normal hematologic values.. 1990;pp. 561–570.
- Jeffcott LB, Rossdale PD, Leadon DP. Haematological changes in the neonatal period of normal and induced premature foals.. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 1982;32:537-44.
- Brinsko S.P., Blanchard T.L., Varner D.D., Schumacher J., Love C.C., Hinrichs K., Hartman D.L.. Manual of Equine Reproduction.. 2010;p. 126.
- Ritchie RF, Palomaki GE, Neveux LM, Navolotskaia O. Reference distributions for the negative acute-phase proteins, albumin, transferrin, and transthyretin: a comparison of a large cohort to the world's literature.. J Clin Lab Anal 1999;13(6):280-6.
- Kiang JG, Tsen KT. Biology of hypoxia.. Chin J Physiol 2006 Oct 31;49(5):223-33.
- Axon JE, Palmer JE. Clinical pathology of the foal.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2008 Aug;24(2):357-85, vii.
- Bauer J.E.. Normal blood chemistry.. 1990;pp. 603–614.
- Ji LL. Oxidative stress during exercise: implication of antioxidant nutrients.. Free Radic Biol Med 1995 Jun;18(6):1079-86.
- McIntosh LJ, Sapolsky RM. Glucocorticoids increase the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and enhance adriamycin-induced toxicity in neuronal culture.. Exp Neurol 1996 Oct;141(2):201-6.
- Axon J.E.. Critical Care-Assessment.. 2011;pp. 167–176.
- Burd LI, Jones MD Jr, Simmons MA, Makowski EL, Meschia G, Battaglia FC. Placental production and foetal utilisation of lactate and pyruvate.. Nature 1975 Apr 24;254(5502):710-1.
- Quenby S, Pierce SJ, Brigham S, Wray S. Dysfunctional labor and myometrial lactic acidosis.. Obstet Gynecol 2004 Apr;103(4):718-23.
- Wiberg-Itzel E, Cnattingius S, Nordström L. Lactate determination in vaginal fluids: a new method in the diagnosis of prelabour rupture of membranes.. BJOG 2005 Jun;112(6):754-8.
- Wiberg-Itzel E, Pettersson H, Cnattingius S, Nordstrom L. Association between lactate in vaginal fluid and time to spontaneous onset of labour for women with suspected prelabour rupture of the membranes.. BJOG 2006 Dec;113(12):1426-30.
- Sparks JW, Hay WW Jr, Bonds D, Meschia G, Battaglia FC. Simultaneous measurements of lactate turnover rate and umbilical lactate uptake in the fetal lamb.. J Clin Invest 1982 Jul;70(1):179-92.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Hallman I, Karikoski N, Kareskoski M. The effects of obesity and insulin dysregulation on mare reproduction, pregnancy, and foal health: a review.. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1180622.
- Ellero N, Lanci A, Baldassarro VA, Alastra G, Mariella J, Cescatti M, Castagnetti C, Giardino L. Study on NGF and VEGF during the Equine Perinatal Period-Part 2: Foals Affected by Neonatal Encephalopathy.. Vet Sci 2022 Aug 26;9(9).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists