Electrolytes changes in mammary secretions before foaling in jennies.
Abstract: No knowledge regarding the peripartum changes in mammary secretions in the jenny are presently available in literature. In the mare, instead, several studies report the role of these changes as indicators of foetal readiness for birth and impending parturition. This experiment was designed to determine calcium, sodium, potassium concentrations, and the value of sodium/potassium ratio in mammary fluids during prepartum in the jenny. Samples were daily collected by hand milking, after mammary gland size increased noticeably, from 17 Martina Franca jennies. Prepartum mammary secretions were analysed every other day between day 10 and day 2 antepartum, and then once a day from the day before to the day of parturition. Calcium concentration showed a significant increase between day 10 and day 6 antepartum and then between day 6 and days 4 and 2. Afterwards, another statistical significant increase was observed at parturition. Sodium concentration significantly decreased from day 10 to day 2 prepartum. Potassium concentration significantly increased between day 10 and day 8 before parturition, then showed a further increase at day 4, followed by none significant changes until foaling. All jennies showed a reversal in sodium/potassium ratio between 2 days antepartum and the day before. In conclusion, the evaluation of mammary fluid calcium concentrations and the reversal of sodium/potassium ratio could be used as good indicators of foetal maturity in the jenny. As far as the prediction of parturition is concerned, the reversal of sodium/potassium ratio is the best parameter, since it was detected 48-24 h before parturition in all considered animals.
Publication Date: 2008-03-08 PubMed ID: 18325006DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2007.00871.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research studied the changes in electrolyte concentrations in mammary secretions of jennies (female donkeys) during the prepartum period. It concluded that observations of these changes, particularly calcium concentrations and the sodium/potassium ratio, could be used as effective indicators of fetal readiness for birth and impending parturition.
Research Objective
- This research aims to understand the changes in the concentrations of calcium, sodium, and potassium, as well as the sodium/potassium ratio in mammary secretions of jennies during prepartum. It was conducted due to the lack of available literature addressing these peripartum changes in jennies.
Methodology
- The study was conducted with 17 Martina Franca jennies. The researchers began daily sample collection by hand milking after there was a noticeable increase in the mammary gland size.
- These prepartum mammary secretions were analyzed every other day from day 10 to day 2 antepartum, and then once a day from the day before parturition to the day of parturition.
Results
- The study found that calcium concentration significantly increased between day 10 and day 6 antepartum, and then again between day 6 and days 4 and 2 antepartum. Another significant increase was observed at parturition.
- Sodium concentration significantly decreased from day 10 to day 2 prepartum.
- Potassium concentration significantly increased between day 10 and day 8 before parturition, showed a further increase at day 4, and then no significant changes were observed until foaling.
- A reversal in the sodium/potassium ratio was observed between 2 days antepartum and the day before in all jennies.
Conclusion
- The researchers concluded that the evaluation of mammary fluid calcium concentrations and the reversal of the sodium/potassium ratio might be effective indicators of fetal maturity in jennies.
- The reversal of the sodium/potassium ratio is the best predictor of parturition, as it was detected 24-48 hours before parturition in all animals studied.
Cite This Article
APA
Carluccio A, De Amicis I, Panzani S, Tosi U, Faustini M, Veronesi MC.
(2008).
Electrolytes changes in mammary secretions before foaling in jennies.
Reprod Domest Anim, 43(2), 162-165.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2007.00871.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Veterinarie, Sez. Ostetricia-Ginecologia e Riproduzione Animale, Teramo, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Calcium / analysis
- Electrolytes / analysis
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism
- Potassium / analysis
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal / physiology
- Sodium / analysis
- Spectrum Analysis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Sgorbini M, Bonelli F, Percacini G, Pasquini A, Rota A. Maternal and Neonatal Evaluation of Derived Reactive Oxygen Metabolites and Biological Antioxidant Potential in Donkey Mares and Foals. Animals (Basel) 2021 Oct 3;11(10).
- Carluccio A, Bucci R, Fusi J, Robbe D, Veronesi MC. Effect of age and of reproductive status on reproductive indices in horse mares carrying mule pregnancies. Heliyon 2020 Oct;6(10):e05175.
- Turini L, Bonelli F, Nocera I, Battaglia F, Meucci V, Panzani D, Mele M, Sgorbini M. Evaluation of jennies' colostrum: IgG concentrations and absorption in the donkey foals. A preliminary study. Heliyon 2020 Aug;6(8):e04598.
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