Evaluation of pregnancy and foaling rates after reduction of twin pregnancy via transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration in mares.
Abstract: To assess pregnancy and live foaling rates after reduction of twin pregnancy via transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration (TUA) in mares and evaluate effects of gestational period, localization of conceptuses, fluid aspiration volume, and combination of TUA with embryonic or fetal puncture on these outcomes. Methods: Clinical trial. Methods: 44 mares pregnant with twins (25 to 62 days of gestation). Methods: TUA was performed in all mares and combined with embryonic or fetal puncture in 13. Follow-up ultrasonographic examinations were performed by referring veterinarians. Effects of gestational period and TUA-related variables on pregnancy and foaling rates were assessed. Results: Singleton pregnancy (32/44 [73%]), persistent twin pregnancy (3/44 [7%]), or loss of both conceptuses (9/44 [20%]) was confirmed 5 to 7 days after TUA. Two mares with persistent twin pregnancy underwent another TUA, and 1 underwent prostaglandin F(2α)-induced abortion; these were excluded from subsequent analyses. Eighteen of 24 mares reevaluated 3 to 4 weeks after TUA were pregnant with 1 conceptus. Twenty of 41 (49%) mares delivered live singleton foals. Gestational period of TUA did not affect early pregnancy rates. Foaling rate for mares that underwent TUA after day 42 (0/5) was lowest of all groups and was significantly lower than that of mares that underwent TUA between days 31 and 35 (9/14). Three of 13 mares that underwent TUA with embryonic or fetal puncture delivered live foals, compared with 17 of 28 that underwent TUA alone. Effects of other variables were nonsignificant. Conclusions: TUA was effective for reduction of twin pregnancy in mares, with best results achieved before gestational day 43.
Publication Date: 2013-02-01 PubMed ID: 23363286DOI: 10.2460/javma.242.4.527Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research assessed the effectiveness of twin pregnancy reduction through transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration (TUA) in mares, focusing on subsequent pregnancy and live foaling rates as well as the influence of gestational periods and other TUA-related factors. Results showed TUA as an effective method for reducing twin pregnancy, with the highest success before gestational day 43.
Study Methodology
- The study took the form of a clinical trial involving 44 mares pregnant with twins. Their gestational periods ranged from 25 to 62 days.
- All mares underwent TUA, with embryonic or fetal puncture combined with TUA in 13 cases.
- Follow-up ultrasonographic examinations were done by referring veterinarians.
- The study then evaluated the effects of gestational period and other TUA-related factors on pregnancy and foaling rates.
Study Findings
- Singleton pregnancy, persistent twin pregnancy or the loss of both conceptuses was confirmed 5 to 7 days after TUA.
- Two mares experiencing persistent twin pregnancy underwent another TUA, while one underwent prostaglandin F(2α)-induced abortion. These cases were excluded from subsequent analyses.
- Three to four weeks following TUA, 18 out of 24 re-evaluated mares were found to be pregnant with a single conceptus.
- Twenty out of the original 41 mares delivered a live singleton foal, representing a 49% live foaling rate.
- The gestational period during which TUA was performed didn’t significantly affect early pregnancy rates.
- The foaling rate was significantly lower for mares that underwent TUA after day 42 (0/5) compared to those that underwent TUA between days 31 and 35 (9/14).
- Three out of thirteen mares that underwent TUA combined with embryonic or fetal puncture delivered live foals, compared to 17 out of 28 who only underwent TUA.
- No significant effects were found from other TUA-related variables.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that TUA was an effective method for reducing twin pregnancy in mares. The process yielded the best results when conducted before the 43rd day of gestation.
Cite This Article
APA
Klewitz J, Krekeler N, Ortgies F, Heberling A, Linke C, Sieme H.
(2013).
Evaluation of pregnancy and foaling rates after reduction of twin pregnancy via transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration in mares.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 242(4), 527-532.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.242.4.527 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Outcome / veterinary
- Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal / methods
- Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal / veterinary
- Pregnancy, Animal
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