Equine fetal kinetics: Presentation and location.
Abstract: The extent and nature of fetal mobility (presentation and location changes) were studied in 10 pony mares by ultrasonic examinations each week during the fetal stage (Day 40 to term). The percentage of examinations with cranial fetal presentation was 35 to 43% during Months 2 to 5 (no significant differences among months); a significant increase occurred between Months 5 and 6 reaching 100% at Month 7. With only 3 transient exceptions, the fetus was in cranial presentation during all examinations from Month 7 to term. The frequency of presentation changes between successive examinations decreased (P<0.05) between Months 4 and 5 and further decreased between Months 6 and 7. A significant and progressive decrease in the proportion of examinations in which at least part of the fetus was located in the umbilical-cord horn occurred over Months 2 to 4. During the same months, an increase occurred in the frequency of location of at least part of the fetus in the noncord horn and in the frequency of location of all of the fetus in the uterine body. The fetus was equally distributed among the 3 parts of the uterus during Month 4. Thereafter, locations decreased (P<0.05) in the noncord horn, increased (P<0.05) in the uterine body, and maintained a plateau (no significant differences) in the cord horn until Month 7 and then increased (P<0.05). The frequency of location changes between successive examinations increased (P<0.01) progressively during Months 2 to 4 followed by a decrease between Months 4 and 10. With one exception, the fetus was located in both the cord horn and uterine body for all examinations during Month 9 to term. In conclusion, a gradual decrease in fetal mobility occurred after Month 4; with only a few transient exceptions, final selection of cranial presentation occurred by Month 7, and final selection of partial location in the cord horn occurred by Month 9.
Publication Date: 1993-07-01 PubMed ID: 16727289DOI: 10.1016/0093-691x(93)90336-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research explored the patterns and behavior of fetal movement in horses during different stages of pregnancy. Ultrasound examinations were conducted weekly to measure fetal mobility within the uterus and movements like presentation and location changes. The study found a gradual decrease in fetal movements after the fourth month of gestation, with certain positions of the fetus becoming predominant by specific months.
Study design and methods
- The research involved conducting ultrasound examinations of 10 pony mares every week, starting from Day 40 of gestation until full term.
- Examining two key elements of fetal mobility: presentation (the position of the fetus) and location (where the fetus is in the uterus).
- Careful observations and records were kept regarding these parameters over the course of the gestation period.
Key findings
- Between the second and fifth month of the pregnancy, 35-43% of the examinations showed the fetus in a cranial presentation. This significantly increased between the fifth and sixth month, reaching 100% by the seventh month. Only three temporary exceptions to this trend were documented.
- The frequency of presentation changes between subsequent examinations significantly reduced between the fourth and fifth month, further decreasing between the sixth and seventh month.
- Between the second and fourth month, a progressive decrease in the proportion of examinations showing the fetus at least partially located in the umbilical-cord horn was observed.
- Simultaneously, an increase happened in the frequency of location of at least part of the fetus in the noncord horn and the entirety of the fetus in the uterine body.
- From the fourth month, the fetus was found distributed equally among the three parts of the uterus. However, as the gestation period progressed, the frequency of the fetus’ presence in the noncord horn reduced while its presence in the uterine body increased.
- The number of location changes between successive examinations progressively increased from the second to the fourth month, followed by a decrease up to the tenth month.
- With just one exception, the fetus was located in both the cord horn and uterine body in all examinations during the ninth month until full term.
Conclusion
- The research concluded that fetal mobility in ponies gradually decreases after the fourth month of pregnancy.
- The fetus generally selects the cranial presentation by the seventh month and the partial location in the cord horn by the ninth month.
Cite This Article
APA
Ginther OJ, Griffin PG.
(1993).
Equine fetal kinetics: Presentation and location.
Theriogenology, 40(1), 1-11.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0093-691x(93)90336-4 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences Veterinary Science Building University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Tachibana Y, Sakurai T, Bai H, Shiota K, Nambo Y, Nagaoka K, Imakawa K. RNA-seq analysis of equine conceptus transcripts during embryo fixation and capsule disappearance. PLoS One 2014;9(12):e114414.
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