Ultrasonographic assessment of fetal well-being during late gestation: development of an equine biophysical profile.
Abstract: Mares with complicated pregnancies (illness, problems at parturition or delivery of an abnormal foal, n = 30) were scanned transabdominally from 298 days gestation to term in order to measure fetal size, evaluate fetal well-being and characterise the intrauterine environment. The results of the last scan obtained prior to parturition were compared to normal data obtained from fetuses of comparable gestational age to develop a biophysical profile specific for the equine fetus. Twelve mares produced a normal foal (positive outcome) and 18 mares delivered 19 abnormal foals (negative outcome). Both fetuses that were inactive throughout the entire scan and 4 of 5 fetuses with heart rate abnormalities were abnormal at birth. Three of 4 fetuses surrounded by decreased allantoic fluid quantities had a negative outcome. All mares with large anechoic spaces between the uterus and placenta (n = 3) and/or thickened uteroplacental units (n = 5) delivered abnormal foals. There was a significant correlation between fetal aortic diameter and neonatal foal weight in these complicated pregnancies (P<0.0001, r = 0.85). Fetal aortic diameters were predicted from maternal weight and 6 fetuses had smaller than predicted aortic diameters, all with negative outcomes. A biophysical profile of the equine fetus from 298 days gestational age to term was developed that included 6 factors related to pregnancy outcome: fetal heart rate, fetal aortic diameter, maximal fetal fluid depths, uteroplacental contact, uteroplacental thickness and fetal activity. The profile proved informative about fetal well-being, perinatal morbidity and perinatal mortality. A low score was a definite indication of an impending negative outcome; however, a high score was not assurance of a positive outcome. The utility of such a biophysical profile and future directions for research are discussed.
© 1996 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 1996-05-01 PubMed ID: 28976710DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb03773.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research conducts an ultrasonographic study on pregnant mares during late gestation to develop an equine biophysical profile, which measures fetal size and evaluates fetal well-being, thereby helping in predicting the birth outcome (abnormal or normal birth).
Study Setup
- The researchers studied 30 mares with complicated pregnancies. These complications could include illnesses, problems at parturition, or previous delivery of an abnormal foal.
- The mares were scanned transabdominally from the 298th day of gestation up to the term, enabling the researchers to measure fetal size, evaluate fetal well-being, and assess the intrauterine environment.
Findings and Outcomes Analysis
- 12 mares delivered a normal foal (positive outcome), while 18 mares gave birth to 19 abnormal foals (negative outcome).
- Inactive foetuses and those with heart rate irregularities were often found to be abnormal at birth.
- Fetuses surrounded by decreased amounts of allantoic fluid often resulted in a negative outcome.
- All mares with large anechoic spaces between the uterus and placenta and/or thickened uteroplacental units delivered abnormal foals.
Correlation with Fetal Aortic Diameter
- The study showed a significant correlation between fetal aortic diameter and neonatal foal weight in complicated pregnancies.
- Fetuses with aortic diameters smaller than those predicted from maternal weight all had negative birth outcomes.
Development of an Equine Biophysical Profile
- Based on their findings, the researchers developed an equine biophysical profile. This profile includes facts related to pregnancy outcome, such as fetal heart rate, fetal aortic diameter, maximal fetal fluid depths, uteroplacental contact, uteroplacental thickness, and fetal activity.
- This profile was found effective in providing information about fetal well-being, perinatal morbidity, and perinatal mortality.
- A low score on the biophysical profile strongly indicated an impending negative birth outcome. However, a high score was not a guarantee of a positive birth outcome.
Conclusion and Future Direction
- The researchers concluded that the developed biophysical profile could be useful in assessing the well-being of a fetus in complicated equine pregnancies. Though they did point out the need for further research in enhancing its predictive capabilities.
Cite This Article
APA
Reef VB, Vaala WE, Worth LT, Sertich PL, Spencer PA.
(1996).
Ultrasonographic assessment of fetal well-being during late gestation: development of an equine biophysical profile.
Equine Vet J, 28(3), 200-208.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb03773.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies (Section of Medicine), New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies (Section of Medicine), New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies (Section of Medicine), New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies (Section of Medicine), New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies (Section of Medicine), New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348, USA.
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Gao Y, Hannan MA, Murata K, Rajabi-Toustani R, Nambo Y. Ultrasonographic examination of equine fetal growth parameters throughout gestation in pony for Equine-Assisted Therapy.. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Jan 7;84(1):74-81.
- Lanci A, Ingallinesi M, Morini M, Freccero F, Castagnetti C, Mariella J. Fetal Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Hydramnios in a Quarter Horse Mare.. Vet Sci 2021 Sep 22;8(10).
- Cruz-Aleixo AS, Lima MCF, Albuquerque ALH, Teixeira RT, Paula RA, Grandi MC, Ferreira DOL, Tsunemi MH, Chiacchio SB, Lourenço MLG. Echocardiographic evaluation in Dorper ovine fetuses: Applications and limitations.. Vet Med Sci 2021 Mar;7(2):417-423.
- Nagel C, Melchert M, Aurich C, Aurich J. Differences in Endocrine and Cardiac Changes in Mares and Her Fetus before, during, and after Parturition in Horses of Different Size.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Sep 4;10(9).
- Ivančić M, Gomez FM, Musser WB, Barratclough A, Meegan JM, Waitt SM, Cárdenas Llerenas A, Jensen ED, Smith CR. Ultrasonographic findings associated with normal pregnancy and fetal well-being in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2020 Mar;61(2):215-226.
- Murase H, Miyazawa M, Harada T, Ozawa M, Sato F, Hada T. Aborted fetal sizes of Thoroughbred horses in Hidaka, Japan, between 2005 and 2015.. J Equine Sci 2017;28(2):47-53.
- Murase H, Niwa H, Katayama Y, Sato F, Hada T, Nambo Y. A clinical case of equine fungal placentitis with reference to hormone profiles and ultrasonography.. J Equine Sci 2015;26(4):129-33.
- Buczinski S, Fecteau G, Lefebvre RC, Smith LC. Assessment of fetal well-being in cattle by ultrasonography in normal, high-risk, and cloned pregnancies.. Can Vet J 2011 Feb;52(2):136-41.
- Buczinski S, Fecteau G, Comeau G, Boysen SR, Lefebvre RC, Smith LC. Ultrasonographic fetal well-being assessment, neonatal and postpartum findings of cloned pregnancies in cattle: a preliminary study on 10 fetuses and calves.. Can Vet J 2009 Mar;50(3):261-9.
- Buczinski SM, Fecteau G, Lefebvre RC, Smith LC. Fetal well-being assessment in bovine near-term gestations: current knowledge and future perspectives arising from comparative medicine.. Can Vet J 2007 Feb;48(2):178-83.
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