Differences in Endocrine and Cardiac Changes in Mares and Her Fetus before, during, and after Parturition in Horses of Different Size.

Christina Nagel,Maria Melchert,Jörg Aurich,Christine Aurich

doi:10.3390/ani10091577

Christina Nagel, Maria Melchert + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091577

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Abstract

Simple SummaryMonitoring of the pregnant mare and her fetus is based on hormone analysis and heart rate recordings which may differ among small, medium-size, and full-size horses. Therefore, Shetland (n = 6), Haflinger (n = 8), and Warmblood pregnancies (n = 9) were studied before and at foaling. Foal weight always approximated 10% of mare weight but relative placenta weight was highest in full-size mares. The concentrations of progestins (hormones that maintain pregnancy) and cortisol (a hormone involved in the onset of foaling but also in an animal’s response to stress) was highest in full-size mares. Progestin concentration decreased towards foaling while cortisol concentration increased. Heart rate of mares increased before foaling with the most pronounced increase in small mares. Overall, Shetland mares foaled earlier than larger-size mares. At foaling, atrio-ventricular blocks (physiological omission of heart beats) regularly occurred in full-size mares but only occasionally in medium-size and small mares, reflecting differences in heart efficiency. In conclusion, some differences exist before and at foaling in horses of different size.Equine fetomaternal monitoring is based on endocrine and cardiac parameters which may differ among small, medium-size, and full-size horses. Therefore, Shetland (n = 6), Haflinger (n = 8), and Warmblood pregnancies (n = 9) were studied during late gestation and at foaling. Weight of mares, foals and placenta, plasma progestin and cortisol concentration, heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) were determined. Foal weight always approximated 10% of mare weight but relative placenta weight was highest in full-size mares (p < 0.05). Progestin (p < 0.001) and cortisol (p < 0.05) concentration was highest in full-size mares. Progestin concentration decreased towards parturition (p < 0.001) while cortisol concentration increased (p < 0.01). Maternal heart rate increased before foaling with the most pronounced increase in small mares (p < 0.001). The HRV increased during foaling and decreased when delivery was completed (p < 0.001). Changes were most pronounced in full-size mares (p < 0.001). Atrio-ventricular blocks regularly occurred in parturient full-size mares but only occasionally in medium-size and small mares (time p < 0.05, time × group p < 0.05). This may reflect breed differences in cardiovascular efficiency. Fetal heart rate decreased towards birth (p < 0.001) with the most pronounced decrease in full-size horses (p < 0.01). Fetal HRV showed no consistent changes before birth but increased when the foal was born (p < 0.001), this increase being most pronounced in full-size foals (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates both similarities and differences in peripartum endocrine and cardiac changes in horses of different size.

Highlights

Despite advances in equine obstetrics and perinatal medicine, late fetal mortality, abortion, and the birth of compromised neonates are still major problems in horses [1]
The time from birth of the foal to expulsion of the fetal membranes was shorter in the group of small versus medium and full-size mares (p < 0.05)
Because of the number of animals included into the study, our results primarily demonstrate the existence of size differences with regard to the parameters determined and indicate the direction of such differences while not yet allowing to define normal ranges for horses of different size or breed (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

Despite advances in equine obstetrics and perinatal medicine, late fetal mortality, abortion, and the birth of compromised neonates are still major problems in horses [1]. Pregnancies should be closely monitored [2,3]. Equine fetomaternal monitoring has greatly improved with the advent of ultrasonography [2,4], which has led to a better understanding of fetal well-being and of the antepartum changes in the fetus and mare [2,5]. Due to the size of the mother and her fetus, fetomaternal ultrasonography provides less information in large domestic animals than in humans or small companion animals. A key diagnostic parameter for fetal well-being is heart rate, which can be evaluated by fetomaternal electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings.

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