Behavior and viability of the premature neonatal foal after induced parturition.
Parturition was induced in 2 groups of mares, less than 300 (n = 49) and 300 to 320 days gestation (n = 31), by the administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha or fluprostenol and oxytocin. Foals were categorized into 4 groups according to their ability to adapt in, and survive, the neonatal period. Group A had no demonstrable coordinating reflexes, were weak from birth, and all died within 90 minutes. Group B had some righting reflexes, but had poor coordination and a weak suck reflex. They showed some improvement for about 2 hours, but all died within 9 hours. Group C foals had a good suck reflex and made attempts to stand. After 24 hours, there was a steady deterioration and death occurred within 48 hours. Group D were initially weak, but showed rapid clinical improvement with good adaptation to the environment and survived for at least 7 days. The overall survival rate for the 80 foals born was only 5%. Most group A foals had gestational ages of less than 300 days, but a few (n = 9) were delivered after 300 days and 2 up to 319 days. The youngest survivor was delivered at 318 days and the 3 other survivors were delivered at 320 days. Aspects of the hazards of prematurely induced parturition were considered to be immaturity and stress of parturition.
Leadon
D P
DP
Jeffcott
L B
LB
Rossdale
P D
PD
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D015237:Dinoprost; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000662:veterinary*; D009043:Motor Activity; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011460:Prostaglandins F; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; C006326:fluprostenol; D010121:Oxytocin; D015237:Dinoprost