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Veterinary world2023; 16(12); 2451-2456; doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2451-2456

Investigating the suitability of a transponder-based birth monitoring system attached to the vulva of a mare.

Abstract: In horse breeding, birth monitoring is an important factor in minimizing losses during parturition. Although different birth monitoring systems are available for this purpose, the current literature lacks systematic suitability analyses. This study aimed to address this gap in the literature. In order to achieve this, we examined a large number of foaling mares to assess the suitability of a transponder-based birth monitoring system attached to the vulva. Unassigned: Seventy warmblood mares were observed during foaling, and 86 foals were born during the foaling seasons of 2021 and 2022. Video surveillance in the foaling stable provided video recordings of births. This allowed the opportunity to assess the birth monitoring system's reporting accuracy. The exact times and reasons for each alarm were documented and the proportions of correctly detected births, false alarms, and unrecognized births were calculated. Unassigned: Overall, 96.5% of foalings were correctly detected using the birth monitoring system, with a sensitivity rate of 96% and a specificity rate of 91%. False alarms were primarily caused when a mare rubbed her tail against the stable walls. Unassigned: These data suggest that the tested transponder is well suited for monitoring the birth of mares. However, it is recommended that this method should be used in combination with other birth monitoring methods because not all births were detected correctly.
Copyright: © Lindinger and Wehrend, et al.
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Publication Date: 2023-12-20 PubMed ID: 38328361PubMed Central: PMC10844779DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2451-2456Google 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 study analysed the usefulness of a transponder-based birth monitoring system attached to a mare’s vulva in order to improve birth outcomes in horse breeding. The research found that such a system correctly detected 96.5% of foalings, but it had also issued false alarms caused mostly when a mare rubs her tail against stable walls. It was, therefore, suggested to use this method in combination with other birth monitoring options to increase accuracy.

Introduction

  • The research focussed on assessing the effectiveness of a transponder-based birth monitoring system that was attached to a mare’s vulva. In horse breeding, close monitoring of birth can reduce the number of losses and increase successful births.
  • Despite multiple birth monitoring systems being available in the market, the researchers noted that literature lacked systematic analysis of these systems, specifically the transponder-based type, necessitating this study.

Methodology

  • The experiment involved observing seventy warmblood mares during foaling; in the span of two years (2021 and 2022), 86 foals were born.
  • An important part of the research methodologies was the use of video surveillance in the foaling stable for accurately capturing births and individual behaviours.
  • Through this, the research team was able to meticulously note down each alarm’s exact times and reasons, and calculate the proportions of correct birth detections, false alarms, and undetected births.

Results

  • According to the study, the transponder-based birth monitoring system was able to correctly identify 96.5% of foalings.
  • The system also demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity rates of 96% and 91% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity are measures used in the research to identify the system’s ability to correctly detect real cases and exclude non-existing/ negative cases.
  • However, there were issues with false alarms, which were mainly caused when a mare rubbed her tail against the stable walls.

Conclusion

  • Based on these findings, the tested transponder proved to be quite effective for monitoring mare births.
  • Despite its high success rate, the system did show some limitations in fully accurate birth detection. Therefore, the researchers recommend using the transponder-based system in conjunction with other monitoring methods to increase overall accuracy.

Cite This Article

APA
Lindinger H, Wehrend A. (2023). Investigating the suitability of a transponder-based birth monitoring system attached to the vulva of a mare. Vet World, 16(12), 2451-2456. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2023.2451-2456

Publication

Veterinary world
ISSN: 0972-8988
NlmUniqueID: 101504872
Country: India
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 12
Pages: 2451-2456

Researcher Affiliations

Lindinger, Hannah
  • Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology of Small and Large Animals, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
Wehrend, Axel
  • Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology of Small and Large Animals, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Lindinger H, Wehrend A. Characterization of Typical Behaviors of Mares in the Opening Phase of Parturition-Influence of Parity and Dystocia. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 28;14(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14071036pubmed: 38612275google scholar: lookup
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