Use of oxytocin in penned sows and its effect on fetal intra-partum asphyxia.
The objective of the present study was to evaluate in penned sows the effect of two commercial oxytocin products on umbilical cord pathology, degree of asphyxia and intra-partum mortality. This study included 120 sows divided in three groups of 40 animals with eight animals for parities one to five per subgroup, respectively. Group 1 (G(1)) or control received saline solution while oxytocin groups (G(2)) and (G(3)) were injected at the onset of fetal expulsion with two oxytocin products. The doses of oxytocin were as follow: Primiparous sows weighing less than 130 kg received 20 IU; multiparous sows weighing 130-180 g received 30 IU, and those above 250 kg, 40 IU. Piglets born alive and/or dead were classified at birth using a subjective scale based on the degree of meconium staining on skin. Umbilical cords of intra-partum stillbirths (IPS) were classified as adhered or ruptured and subdivided into four categories: without pathological changes, edematous, congested and hemorrhagic. Result analyses revealed significant differences (P < 0.01) between groups 1 and 2, and 1 and 3 regarding the following traits: expulsion interval (min) (X: G(1) 27.7; G(2) 22.6; G(3) 22.2), IPS with a severe stain degree (X: G(1) 0.10; G(2) 0.45; G(3) 0.50), IPS with ruptured umbilical cords (X: G(1) 0.07; G(2) 0.42; G(3) 0.47), and detectable heartbeats in IPS (X: G(1) 0.27; G(2) 0.25; G(3) 0.22). Treatment with oxytocin reduced the duration of the expulsion of the fetus, increased the number of IPS with ruptured umbilical cords and with severe meconium-stain degree and reduced the number of fetuses with inspiration attempts. Furthermore, the use of this hormone increased the need for obstetric assistance due to increased frequency of dystocia.
Alonso-Spilsbury
María
M
Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Calz. del Hueso 1100, Col. Villa Quietud, México, DF 04960, Mexico. maspilsbury@hotmail.com
Mota-Rojas
Daniel
D
Martínez-Burnes
Julio
J
Arch
Emilio
E
López Mayagoitia
Alfonso
A
Ramírez-Necoechea
Ramiro
R
Olmos
Adriana
A
Trujillo
María Elena
ME
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004420:Dystocia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000662:veterinary*; D006799:Housing, Animal; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014470:Umbilical Cord
D010121:Oxytocin