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Scientific reports2021; 11(1); 16288; doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-95770-5

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of polysomnographic measurements in foals.

Abstract: Veterinary and human medicine are still seeking a conclusive explanation of the function of sleep, including the change in sleep behaviour over the course of an individual's lifetime. In human medicine, sleep disorders and abnormalities in the electroencephalogram are used for prognostic statements, therapeutic means and diagnoses. To facilitate such use in foal medicine, we monitored 10 foals polysomnographically for 48 h. Via 10 attached cup electrodes, brain waves were recorded by electroencephalography, eye movements by electrooculography and muscle activity by electromyography. Wireless polysomnographs allowed us to measure the foals in their home stables. In addition, each foal was simultaneously monitored with infrared video cameras. By combining the recorded data, we determined the time budgeting of the foals over 48 h, whereby the states of vigilance were divided into wakefulness, light sleep, slow-wave sleep and rapid-eye-movement sleep, and the body positions into standing, suckling, sternal recumbency and lateral recumbency. The results of the qualitative analyses showed that the brain waves of the foals differ in their morphology from those previously reported for adult horses. The quantitative data analyses revealed that foals suckle throughout all periods of the day, including night-time. The results of our combined measurements allow optimizing the daily schedule of the foals according to their sleep and activity times. We recommend that stall rest should begin no later than 9.00 p.m. and daily stable work should be done in the late afternoon.
© 2021. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2021-08-11 PubMed ID: 34381127PubMed Central: PMC8357810DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95770-5Google 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 research explores sleep behaviors in foals through a method called polysomnography, investigating brain waves, eye movements, and muscle activity using electro-technologies. Findings provide new insights into foal sleep behavior and recommend potential adjustments to daily schedules of stable care.

Study Overview

  • This study utilized polysomnography, a comprehensive recording of multiple physiological variables during sleep, on ten foals over a 48-hour period.
  • Polysomnographs, which are wireless and allowed for measurements in the foals’ home stables, were used to record brain waves (through electroencephalography), eye movements (electrooculography), and muscle activity (electromyography).
  • The foals were also monitored via infrared video cameras which further complemented data collected.

Evaluation of Results

  • After collecting the data, the researchers determined the time budgeting of the foals by dividing the states of vigilance into wakefulness, light sleep, slow-wave sleep, and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep.
  • The positions of the body such as standing, suckling, being in sternal recumbency (lying on their chests), and lateral recumbency (lying on their sides), were also studied.
  • The researchers noted that the brain wave patterns of the foals differed significantly from what has been previously reported for adult horses.

Findings and Recommendations

  • The quantitative analysis of the data showed that foals have a tendency to suckle throughout the day and night.
  • Given these findings, the authors suggested changes to the daily schedule of the foals to optimize their sleep and activity timings.
  • They proposed that the foals should begin resting in their stalls no later than 9.00 p.m., and any stable-related tasks should be done in the late afternoon to avoid disturbing the foals’ sleep.

This research adds to our understanding of sleep patterns in foals, providing potential avenues for improving the scheduling of horse care. However, the authors suggest further research on this topic to provide a more comprehensive understanding of sleep patterns in foals and other equine animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Zanker A, Wöhr AC, Reese S, Erhard M. (2021). Qualitative and quantitative analyses of polysomnographic measurements in foals. Sci Rep, 11(1), 16288. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-95770-5

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
Pages: 16288
PII: 16288

Researcher Affiliations

Zanker, Antonia
  • Tierärztliche Klinik Für Pferde Wolfesing, Wolfesing 12, 85604, Zorneding, Germany. antonia-zanker@web.de.
Wöhr, Anna-Caroline
  • Chair of Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour, Animal Hygiene and Animal Husbandry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinärstraße 13 R, 80539, München, Germany.
Reese, Sven
  • Chair of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinärstraße 13 R, 80539, München, Germany.
Erhard, Michael
  • Chair of Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour, Animal Hygiene and Animal Husbandry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinärstraße 13 R, 80539, München, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / physiology
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Electrooculography / methods
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Eye Movements / physiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Polysomnography / methods
  • Rest / physiology
  • Sleep, REM / physiology
  • Wakefulness / physiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
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