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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet World / Effects of pregnancy on electrocardiographic, vasovagal tonu...
Veterinary world2023; 16(8); 1765-1771; doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1765-1771

Effects of pregnancy on electrocardiographic, vasovagal tonus index, and echocardiographic variables in horses.

Abstract: Pregnancy affects maternal hemodynamics. The changes in autonomic nervous system activity for hemodynamics adaptation in pregnant horses are still unclear. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effect of pregnancy on electrocardiographic, vasovagal tonus index, and echocardiographic variables in horses. Unassigned: A total of 23 Thai native crossbred mares without any cardiac abnormalities were included in this study. The animals were assigned into two groups, a non-pregnant mare group (n =12) and a pregnant mare group (n = 11). Electrocardiogram recordings (paper speed = 25 mm/s and calibration = 10 mm/mV) were performed to obtain six limb leads (leads I, II, III, aVR, aVL, and aVF). The vasovagal tonus index (VVTI) was calculated to assess variability in heart rate over short periods using just 20 consecutive beats. Cardiac structure and function were evaluated by echocardiography. Unassigned: Heart rate, P wave duration, PR interval, QRS duration, QT interval, and T wave duration were significantly different between non-pregnant and pregnant horses (p < 0.05). Pregnant horses had significantly lower VVTI than non-pregnant (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in cardiac structures including % interventricular septum (IVS), % left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW), IVS in diastole, left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole, LVPW thickness at end-diastole, IVS in systole, left ventricular internal diameter at end-systole, LVPW thickness at end-systole, and left atrium/aortic roots ratio between the two groups. However, the pregnant horses had a significantly higher cardiac output and % ejection fraction than non-pregnant horses (p < 0.05). Unassigned: This study provided the first evidence that hemodynamic adaptations during pregnancy modified cardiac conduction, vasovagal tonus index, and echocardiographic variables in horses.
Copyright: © Chompoosan, et al.
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Publication Date: 2023-08-28 PubMed ID: 37766709PubMed Central: PMC10521183DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1765-1771Google 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 aimed to explore how pregnancy impacts different cardiovascular variables, such as heart rate, in horses. The study found significant alterations in electrocardiographic measurements, vasovagal tonus index and certain echocardiographic variables in pregnant horses compared to non-pregnant ones.

Research Setup

  • The research involved 23 Thai native crossbred mares without any cardiac abnormalities. The horses were divided into two groups: 12 non-pregnant mares and 11 pregnant mares.
  • The researchers performed electrocardiogram recordings to obtain six limb leads, leading to an understanding of how the heart’s electrical activity functions in pregnant versus non-pregnant mares.
  • The vasovagal tonus index (VVTI)— a measure that evaluates variability in heart rate over short durations — was also calculated.
  • Additionally, an echocardiography was performed to observe the structure and functioning of the heart.

Findings

  • The results indicated heart rate, P wave duration, PR interval, QRS duration, QT interval, and T wave duration were significantly different in pregnant horses compared to those that were not pregnant.
  • Pregnant mares had a significantly lower VVTI compared to non-pregnant mares.
  • No significant differences were found in some cardiac structures, including parameters such as the percentage of interventricular septum (IVS), percentage of left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW), and left atrium/aortic roots ratio.
  • However, the cardiac output and percentage ejection fraction were significantly higher in pregnant horses, indicating changes in cardiac functionality.

Significance

  • This study provides first-time evidence of how pregnancy can modify cardiac conduction, vasovagal tonus index, and echocardiographic variables in horses.
  • This is crucial in understanding the physiological adaptations that occur in pregnant mares and can have implications in the medical and animal husbandry fields.

Cite This Article

APA
Chompoosan C, Pongthaisong P, Kenchaiwong W, Pontaema T, Lerdweeraphon W. (2023). Effects of pregnancy on electrocardiographic, vasovagal tonus index, and echocardiographic variables in horses. Vet World, 16(8), 1765-1771. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2023.1765-1771

Publication

Veterinary world
ISSN: 0972-8988
NlmUniqueID: 101504872
Country: India
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 8
Pages: 1765-1771

Researcher Affiliations

Chompoosan, Chayanon
  • Applied Animal Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44000, Thailand.
Pongthaisong, Pongphol
  • Applied Animal Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44000, Thailand.
  • Small Ruminant Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44000,Thailand.
Kenchaiwong, Wootichai
  • Applied Animal Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44000, Thailand.
  • Small Ruminant Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44000,Thailand.
  • Network Center for Animal Breeding and Omics Research, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Pontaema, Theerapong
  • Applied Animal Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44000, Thailand.
Lerdweeraphon, Wichaporn
  • Applied Animal Physiology Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44000, Thailand.
  • Small Ruminant Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44000,Thailand.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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