Efficacy and outcome of foaling augmented with oxytocin using mammary calcium and pH criteria to guide the timing of augmentation.
Abstract: Augmentation of parturition can be used to advance labor in mares to occur at a time when personnel is available to assist if necessary. We performed a retrospective study to determine the efficacy and safety of augmentation to manage foalings. Augmentation was performed with 3 IU oxytocin i.v. when mammary calcium concentrations were ≥250 ppm, mammary secretion pH ≤ 6.5, and the mare showed impending signs of parturition. Augmented parturitions (n = 19) were compared with three different control groups. The three control groups were: 1) Time Match control (n = 37) which were non-augmented foalings in the barn during the same time period; 2) Mare Match control (n = 32) which were the non-augmented parturitions of the augmented mares in previous years; and 3) Historic Match control (n = 165) consisted of foalings that occurred from 2006 to 2016 in the facility. All augmented mares foaled within two h with an average of 44 min (range 20-75) after oxytocin injection. The interval between foaling and the foal standing was shorter in augmented parturitions compared with historic match controls. The interval between foaling and the foal nursing was longer with augmented parturitions compared with time match and historic match controls. Duration of fetal membrane retention was not different between all groups. Augmentation of imminent parturition is potentially a safe and effective treatment for mares and foals. Implementation of augmentation as a routine procedure may increase the likelihood of enteral administration of colostrum to foals.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-02-08 PubMed ID: 30772105DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.02.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study explores the safety and efficacy of using oxytocin-enhanced labor in horses, comparing the process with non-enhanced labor using various metrics. The results suggest the procedure may be safe and effective for horses, possibly increasing chances of successful colostrum intake by the foals.
Objective of the Research
- The primary objective of this retrospective study was to ascertain the efficacy and safety of using an enhancement technique involving oxytocin on mares nearing labor (parturition).
- The researchers desired to bring the labor time in line with when personnel were available for assistance, and thus used augmentation in the form of 3 IU oxytocin intravenously, given that the mare’s mammary calcium concentrations were ≥250 ppm and mammary secretion pH ≤6.5.
Study Design and Control Groups
- The augmented parturitions (19 in number) were compared with three separate control groups to understand any significant differences due to augmentation.
- The first control group, Time Match control (37 in number), consisted of non-augmented foal births in the same barn and time period.
- The second, Mare Match control (32 in number), included non-augmented births from the same mares in previous years.
- The third, Historic Match control (165 in number), was composed of births from the period of 2006 to 2016 at the same facility.
Results of the Study
- All augmented mares birthed within two hours post oxytocin injection, and averaged at 44 minutes (ranging from 20 to 75 minutes).
- Comparisons showed the span from birth to the foal’s first stand was shorter in augmented births relative to the Historical Match control group.
- The period between birth and the foal nursing was lengthier in the case of augmented foal births when compared to both Time Match and Historic Match control groups.
- No significant differences were observed in the duration of fetal membrane retention amongst all groups.
Conclusions from the Study
- Augmentation of parturition using oxytocin injections appears to be a safe and potentially effective method for managing horse birthing, based on the metrics tracked in this study.
- Regular implementation of this procedure could potentially increase the possibilities of successful colostrum intake by foals, offering further benefits for the health and welfare of horse populations.
Cite This Article
APA
Cheong SH, Castillo Herrera JM, Dockweiler JC, Donnelly CG, Sones JL, Ellerbrock RE, Lawlis SM, Gilbert RO, Diel de Amorim M.
(2019).
Efficacy and outcome of foaling augmented with oxytocin using mammary calcium and pH criteria to guide the timing of augmentation.
Anim Reprod Sci, 202, 87-95.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.02.002 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. Electronic address: cheong@cornell.edu.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital by Ethos Veterinary Health, Wheat Ridge, CO, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Breeding
- Calcium / metabolism
- Female
- Horses
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism
- Oxytocics / pharmacology
- Oxytocin / pharmacology
- Parturition
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Outcome / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Felici M, Sgorbini M, Baragli P, Lanatà A, Marmorini P, Camillo F. Autonomic nervous system balance in parturient mares: Spontaneous vs induced delivery. PLoS One 2023;18(3):e0283116.
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