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Preliminary studies of mammary secretions in the mare to assess foetal readiness for birth.
Abstract: The status of the mare and foetus in relation to readiness for birth was assessed by measurement of the electrolytes sodium, potassium and calcium in mammary secretions pre-partum. Sixteen Thoroughbred mares were allowed to foal spontaneously and the ionic status of their mammary secretions was measured over three to five weeks pre-partum. From these measurements, a scoring system was developed where an ionic score of 35 points or more suggested that the mare was within 24 h of foaling. On the basis of this ionic score, 10 pony mares were induced with either oxytocin or fluprostenol and assessment of foal maturity was made by physical, behavioural and physiological criteria. Eight pony mares, induced when the ionic score was 35 points or more, delivered full term foals; two mares were induced when their scores were 30 and 20 points and delivered a full term and slightly immature foal respectively. These results suggest that foetal maturity may be related to electrolyte concentrations in mammary secretions and that an ionic score of 35 points or more may indicate that induction would be successful in terms of maturity of the newborn foal.
Publication Date: 1984-07-01 PubMed ID: 6479123DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb01923.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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.
The research paper discusses the use of electrolyte measurements in mammary secretions of pregnant horses to assess the readiness of the foetus for birth. The researchers developed a scoring system, in which a score of 35 suggests that the mare is likely to give birth within 24 hours.
Study Overview
- The research was conducted to analyze the status of pregnant mares and their foetuses in relation to readiness for birth, focusing on the levels of sodium, potassium, and calcium electrolytes in pre-partum mammary secretions.
- Sixteen Thoroughbred mares, which were allowed to foal naturally, were involved in the study. Their mammary secretions were assessed three to five weeks pre-partum to observe changes in electrolytes over time.
Scoring System and Results
- Based on the measurements collected from the Thoroughbred mares, the researchers established a scoring system. An ionic score of 35 or above indicated that the mare was likely to give birth within the next 24 hours.
- Utilizing this scoring system, the researchers induced labour in ten pony mares using oxytocin or fluprostenol. The maturity of the resultant foals was assessed using physical, behavioural, and physiological criteria.
- Results showed that eight out of ten mares, which were induced when they scored 35 or higher in this ionic scoring system, delivered full term foals. The two mares that were induced at lower scores (30 and 20), produced a full term and a slightly immature foal respectively.
Implications and Conclusions
- The findings suggest a relationship between foetal maturity and the concentration of electrolytes in the mare’s mammary secretions. An ionic score of 35 and above appears to be a reliable indicator that the foetus is mature and ready for birth.
- This method of using an ionic scoring system could potentially assist in determining the appropriate time for inducing labour, ensuring the maturity of the foal, thus promoting better neonatal outcomes.
Cite This Article
APA
Ousey JC, Dudan F, Rossdale PD.
(1984).
Preliminary studies of mammary secretions in the mare to assess foetal readiness for birth.
Equine Vet J, 16(4), 259-263.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb01923.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Calcium / analysis
- Colostrum / analysis
- Electrolytes / analysis
- Embryonic and Fetal Development
- Female
- Horses / embryology
- Horses / physiology
- Labor, Induced / veterinary
- Labor, Obstetric
- Lactation
- Luteolytic Agents
- Oxytocin
- Potassium / analysis
- Pregnancy
- Prostaglandins F, Synthetic
- Sodium / analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Mitchell ARM, Delvescovo B, Tse M, Crouch EE, Cheong SH, Castillo JM, Felippe MJB, Ainsworth DM, de Amorim MD. Successful management of hydrallantois in a Standardbred mare at term resulting in the birth of a live foal. Can Vet J 2019 May;60(5):495-501.
- Aoki T, Violin G, Jikihara T, Shibata M, Higaki S, Ozawa T, Furukawa E, Yoshioka K. Prediction of Nocturnal Foaling Using Ventral Tail Base Surface Temperature Recorded by a Wearable Device Attached to the Mare's Tail. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 9;16(2).
- Tainturier D, Tainturier B, Michaud S, Briand-Amirat L, Topie E, Moreno D. Progestagens Monitoring in 147 Mares in Order to Induce Foaling With Oxytocin. Vet Med Sci 2026 Jan;12(1):e70697.
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