Predictive utility of pre-partum temperature changes in the mare.
Abstract: Rectal temperature was recorded from 22 mares at 0700, 1500 and 2300 h daily for seven days pre-partum and one day post partum. A circadian variation in rectal temperature was present with the lowest temperature recorded at 0700 h. Because of this, the mares were divided into three groups based on time of parturition; those foaling between 0700 and 1500 h (n = 2); between 1500 and 2300 h (n = 13); and between 2300 and 0700 h (n = 7). On the day prior to delivery (Day -1) the circadian pattern was absent because the nocturnal increase did not occur. A significant decrease in temperature was recorded prior to parturition in the group foaling between 1500 and 2300 h. A distinct decrease in temperature occurred in the majority of mares in the other two groups but this was not statistically significant. After parturition, rectal temperature increased to supranormal levels before returning to normal.
Publication Date: 1989-03-01 PubMed ID: 2707227DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb02111.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research study examines whether changes in a mare’s body temperature prior to giving birth can help predict the time of parturition.
Overview of the Study
- The researchers collected rectal temperature readings from 22 mares on a daily schedule: 0700, 1500 and 2300 hours for seven days prior to giving birth and one day after birth.
- A regular pattern (circadian variation) in body temperature was observed with the lowest temperature reading recorded at 0700 hours.
Grouping by Parturition Time
- Based on the time of parturition, the mares studied were sorted into three groups: those who gave birth between 0700-1500 hours (2 mares); 1500-2300 hours (13 mares); and 2300-0700 hours (7 mares).
- The group classifications were necessary because of the circadian variation in body temperatures. Grouping the mares provided clearer data related to body temperature changes and time of parturition.
Temperature Changes Prior to Giving Birth
- The day before giving birth (Day -1), the mares’ body temperature did not increase at night as it typically would due to the circadian cycle.
- Significant decreases in temperature before giving birth were found in mares who birthed between 1500-2300 hours. Slight decreases were also found in the other two groups, though these changes were not statistically significant.
- Temperature changes appeared to serve as an indicator of impending parturition, at least for the group birthing between 1500 and 2300 hours.
Post-Parturition Temperature Changes
- After giving birth, the mares’ rectal temperatures rose above the usual range before normalizing again.
- The study didn’t offer explicit reasons for this post-parturition increase, but it might be related to metabolic changes or immune responses following birth.
Cite This Article
APA
Haluska GJ, Wilkins K.
(1989).
Predictive utility of pre-partum temperature changes in the mare.
Equine Vet J, 21(2), 116-118.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb02111.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Body Temperature
- Circadian Rhythm
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Labor, Obstetric / physiology
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Laburn HP, Goelst K, Mitchell D. Body temperatures of lambs and their mothers measured by radio-telemetry during parturition. Experientia 1994 Aug 15;50(8):708-11.
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