So friends welcome back to my YouTube studio. I am Prof. Govind Narayan Purohit, the head department of Veterinary Gynecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner, Rajasthan. So friends, in my next lecture on obstetrics, today we discuss about the parturition in the domestic and farm animals and the pet animals. Now parturition is the delivery of fetus through the birth canal on completion of the gestation period specific for that species. The birth canal is formed by the uterus, cervix and vagina within the pelvic bones and their attachments.
It has been said that the muscular canal that forms from the uterus to the outside of the body through which the fetus passes during its birth is known as the birth canal. Now, before talking about parturition, let us discuss something about the pre-parturient care of the animals. The calves should be shifted to calving box one to two months before calving and they must be taken care of sufficiently.
Since mares need a quiet environment, it is usual to place a CCTV camera to observe in the stable and to observe the mare from a distance since they can voluntarily. inhibit perturbation in the presence of disturbance. Then, cows should be given a low energy, high fiber diet during gestation and anionic salt should be given if they are fed fodder to which high potassium fertilizer has been added.
So to say that cows, the dietary cation anion ratio must be monitored. Then sheep carrying twin fetuses should be fed with high energy diet and bitches, late pregnant bitches, the calcium should be 1 to 1.8% and the phosphorus 0.8 to 1.6% in their diet. Then we talk of some of the vaccines, the tetanus vaccines of the foaling mares and then we talk of other vaccines. Now, vaccination of pregnant bitches, it is described that never use a live vaccine in the pregnant bitch, only use registered safe killed vaccines and registered safe intranasal vaccines. It is suggested to keep up to date with the with live vaccines in non-pregnant bitches to avoid having to give vaccines to the pregnant bitch Killed parvovirus vaccines can be given to bitches two weeks or more before the pups are due to be born.
They should not be given any closer to the time of birth than this to increase the levels of parvovirus antibodies in the colostrum. Maternal antibody levels may persist in these antibody enriched pups for up to 14 weeks and depending on the vaccine type being given to these pups, they may require Preventative vaccines for up to 16 to 18 weeks of age before they are considered safe to socialize. Newer vaccines are now available that overcome this issue of maternal immunity, achieving full protection within 12 weeks of age.
If using vaccines therapeutically in order to achieve high levels of immunoglobulins in the colostrum, vaccinate the pregnant bitch 2 to 3 weeks before the pups are due to be born. Then, vaccination of pregnant mares. Vaccination should be current since infectious disease can be prevalent in some area on some time and can trigger abortions. It is recommended that mares be vaccinated against Equine Herpes Virus 1 and 4 in the 5th, 7th and 9th month of their pregnancy.
In higher risk situations, first the rim Rhinopneumonitis immunization be given at three months. Currently, there are two killed virus vaccines approved for use in pregnant mares to prevent herpes virus abortion. The pneumobot from Fort Dodge Animal Health and Prodigy from the Intervet.
Pregnant mayors previously vaccinated against tetanus should be vaccinated annually, four to six weeks before falling, both to protect the mayors and to prevent the spread of the virus. and should falling induced trauma or retained placenta occur and to enhance concentration of cholesterol and immunoglobulins. Pregnant mares unvaccinated against tetanus or of unknown vaccinal history, it is suggested to administer a two-dose primary series of tetanus toxide with a 4-6 week interval between doses and then revaccinate them 4-6 weeks before falling. The dosage for tetanus toxoids suggested for mares is 25 to 40 LF units administered intramuscular. As far as sheep and goats are concerned, pregnant eaves should be vaccinated for Clostridial diseases, usually Clostridium perfringens type C and D and tetanus, 4 to 6 weeks prior to parturition.
Vaccinated females will pass antibodies in their colostrum to their newborn lambs via the colostrum. Eaves that have never been vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown will require two vaccinations during late gestation, 4 weeks Eve should not be vaccinated within two weeks of lambing. This is not enough time to get antibodies in the colostrum.
If the dam was not vaccinated for tetanus, the tetanus antitoxin should be given at the time of docking or castration. Now, there is a frequently asked questions by the owners of animals that can they be dewormed during gestation? Can pregnant cows be dewormed? In the vast majority of cases, it is safe to deworm pregnant cattle.
There are a few exceptions. An example is albendazole. which restricts use in cattle during the first 45 days of pregnancy.
Many anti-helminthics besides elementazole are known to have teratogenic effects and so their administration during the first 45 days of pregnancy should be done carefully. Parental pammoet is safe to use in pregnancy and lactation and is frequently used in these situations to minimize the worm burdens of neonatal animals. Then deworming mares. Most commercially available dewormers are safe for use in pregnant mares.
However, it is always recommended to check the product label before administering a dewormer or any other product to a pregnant mare. The last treatment should occur 4 to 6 weeks before a due date of foaling. Many vets suggest to administer ivermectin dewormer to the mare within 12 hours of foaling to avoid the passage of strong oils in milk that may cause diarrhea in the newborn.
As far as the bitch is concerned, deworm the bitch prior to mating and then at 5 weeks and 8 weeks of gestation. Make sure you use a good quality dewormer that is safe for pregnant lactating bitches. Fanbendazole is considered a safe dewormer against roundworms, hookworms, hipworms, whipworms and giardia. This may not stop the puppies from getting worms but at least it may decrease the amount.
For sheep and goats, it is a good idea to feed a coccidio strat to ewes during late gestation. All sheep have coccidia in their gastrointestinal tracts. Coccidio strats disrupt the life cycle of coccidia.
Therefore feeding a coccidio strat will reduce the number of coccidio oocytes being shed into the lambing environment. Deworming with an effective anthelmintic will help the ewe expel the worms and reduce the exposure of newborn lambs to infective worm larvae. Albendazole should not be given to pregnant ewe during first trimester of pregnancy. These are the symptoms of the approaching parturition. How the owner or the vet comes to know the parturition is nearby.
In cattle, there is a The bladder enlargement, this begins at 4 months in heifers and 1 to 2 weeks pre-partum in cows, adult cows. There is a vaginal discharge. which starts at 6 to 7 months and then this vaginal discharge is scanty during this period and it continues to increase slightly nearing protrusion. The vulvar lips, they become edematous, they are relaxed.
Then the sacrociatic ligaments. They relax 24 to 48 hours pre-partum and there is a raised tail head and anorexia in the cow which is about to perforate. For the bitch, some degree of omission is seen in a Small quantity of bitches.
There is a drop in 1 to 2 degrees rectal temperature 24 hours pre-partum. The bitches usually show a nesting behavior. They will dig a nest or maybe hide in some corner or maybe they hide themselves under the sofa or under the bed. Then in the mirror, there is increased secretion of the colostrum which is known as the waxing of the teats and when one can investigate that there is a drop in memory secretion of electrolytes in the bitch near parturition or near fulling. Here in these pictures you can see a cow which is nearing parturition and this is how the the sacrosiatic ligaments, they relax and the tail head is raised.
Similarly, this is a goat, which is showing the development of the udder and the relaxation of the sacrosiatic ligaments. Then this is a mare. Again, in this picture, you can see there is some degree of relaxation of the sacrosiatic ligaments raising of her tail and the back.
This is the waxing of her teeth. Small quantities, minute quantities of the wax-like substance comes out from the teeth which is known as the waxing of her teeth. This is a bitch, which is about to whelp.
This is development of the udder and an anxious look. Now, how parturition is initiated? To me, parturition is a very fascinating event because for the entire gestation period, the fetus was being harbored by her mother and suddenly some changes do occur by which the mother's uterus tries to expel the fetus outside. So, what could be the reason?
How Parturition is initiated? There are certain theories. The first is the physical factors. Increasing the fetal size with the increasing gastation increases the uterine irritability and that is why the parturition is initiated. Then uterine distension causes reversal of the progesterone block and then there is fatty degeneration of the placenta and presence of infarcts in the placenta.
It leads to interference in fetal nutrition. Then there are certain biochemical factors that have been proposed for the initiation of the parturition. The increase in the carbon dioxide tension in the maternal blood due to increased fetal activity, this increases the uterine contractility. Then release of the fetal antigens, the serotonin.
which causes release of collagenase and stoppage of blood supply to the cartilaginous. Then it has been proposed that there are neuroendokine factors, the fetal factors, that is the increase in the cortisol in the adrenals. This converts progesterone to estrogen and causes the release of prostaglandins. Then increase in the ACTH by pituitary which stimulate the cortisol release. Increase in the CRH in the hypothalamus, this stimulate the ACTH.
Increase in endogenous opioids which stimulate the ACTH secretion. Certain maternal factors have been proposed to be responsible for the initiation of the parturition and these include the reversal of the Proust-Torn block due to increased myometrial contractility, release of relaxin from the CL of the ovary which causes the dilation of the birth canal Then, placental estrogen rise which causes release of prostaglandin and increases the myometrial contractility. And then, the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines which cause the dilation of the birth canal.
Release of prostaglandins which causes softening of the cervix and increased uterine contractions. And finally, the release of oxytocin which increases the myometrial. Now, a uterus which was a quiet organ during the entire gestation starts oscillating during parturition.
Now some of the theories of parturition initiation are explained here. The fetal stress, it causes due to increase in size and limited space available in the uterus, it causes release of pituitary ACTH. This reaches the fetal adrenal glands and causes the release of corticosteroids.
This causes removal of prostron block and elevation of reproductive tract secretion. Now, how is progesterone secretion inhibited? Elevated cortisol promotes the synthesis of three enzymes. These three enzymes convert progesterone to estradiol. And these three enzymes include the 17-alpha hydroxylase, 17-20-lyase and aromatase.
They convert the progesterone into estrogen. And this stimulates a cascade of events thereby leading to the parturition. The fetal hypothalamus, it affects the fetal pituitary which causes the increase in the ACTH.
This affects the fetal adrenals and then they lead to increased adrenocorticoid steroids and then these corticosteroids convert proston to estrogen and the increased estrogen causes the release of relaxin and collectively this This leads to cervical softening. This also leads to the release of prostaglandins, which further decrease the progesterone concentration. And prostaglandins are pro-inflammatory cytokines, so they also help in the cervical softening. Then the pro-inflammatory cytokines, they...
You decrease the serum progesterone and then there are increased abdominal contractions due to increased estrogens and because of the posterior pituitary releasing the oxytocin, there are myometrial contractions and this causes the fetal expulsion. So this is again the process of parturition explained how the fetal nutritional demand, placental insufficiency affects the hypothalamus to release CRH which affects the anterior pituitary to cause release of corticosteroids and these corticosteroids also affect the lung surfactants and the liver glycogen and the thyroid metabolism. Along with affecting the placentome to decrease the proston and increase the.
estrogens and then this leads to cervical ripening, increased uterine contractions, uterine myometrial gap junctions and collectively this leads to the perturbation. The final role of oxytocin comes in play when there are sensory neurons in the cervix and when the fetal legs touches the pelvis, there is increased release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary and this as the Ferguson's reflex by which the oxytocin further increases causing further increase in the contractions in the uterus and the expulsion of the fetus Now, one must also know about the orientation of the fetus in the uterus. Fetus must reorient prior to parturition.
The fetus is initially on its back. It reorients so feet and head will exit first and in breech presentation, the rear of the fetus comes first. Orientation of the fetus is less important in the pig and abnormal orientation results in a difficult birth in most domestic animals.
So this is how the fetus, this is the final protrusion orientation of the fetus in cattle. And in pigs and in dogs, there are multiple pieces, fetuses, some may be coming from the front and others may be coming from the front. coming in a breech presentation and they sequentially reach the cervix and expelled from the vagina then the fetal circulatory system must also change the ductus venosus and ductus arteriosus must close this is the adult circulatory system so foramen ovale must close Then what are the perinatal fetal changes?
The fetus has, as far as the immune status is concerned, the fetus has no antibodies to protect itself. It gets passive immunity from the mother. The gut is permeable to antibodies in the colostrum only for the first one to two days.
In rabbit, rat and man, they get some antibodies absorbed to the In most other domestic animals they receive the antibodies only through the colostrum. So it's extremely important for them to receive the colostrum after their birth. Then, what are the pre-partal fetal changes? Changes do occur in the fetus before delivery and these are essential because the fetus has to prepare itself for the external environment outside the uterus. The changes include the maturation of the fetal lungs, the surfactants in the lungs increase which reduce the surface tension within the alveoli.
Increase the output of triiodothyronine and catecholamines to meet the increased metabolic demands. Then there should be the closure of the ductus arteriosus and the closure of the foramen ovale. Then there must be increased glycogen reserves in the liver to meet the demands after its birth by the production of glucose as a source of energy. So, these are some of the maturational effect of the prepartum cortisol surge on the various tissues in the equine fetus.
In the liver, cortisol causes deposition of glycogen, induction of the glucose 6-phosphatase for gluconeogenesis and induction of beta-hydrogenergic receptors, decreased production of cortisol binding globulin. And then at the thyroid, it causes increase in T3, possibly via induction of hepatic T4-D-iodinase. In the lung, There is indirect evidence for a role in lung maturation. In the gut, there is indirect evidence for a role in maturation of the gastrointestinal tract.
In the adrenal, increased sensitivity to corticotropin hormone, possibly via induction of corticotropin receptors. Then induction of 17 alpha hydroxylase for cortisol production and in the bone marrow increase in leukocytes particularly neutrophils and then increase in the blood pressure. Now, parturition is a continuous process.
The birth canal opens and the uterus contracts, the abdomen also contracts and finally with these contractions the fetus is expelled out of the uterus through the birth canal. In order to understand the process of parturition. In science, the process of parturition has been divided into three stages of labor.
The first stage of labor, the second stage of labor and the third stage of labor. The first stage of labor is the preparatory stage wherein the myometrial contractions do occur. There is increased uterine pressure, abdominal discomfort, cervical dilation and Finally, appearance and rupture of the first water bag or the Coriolan Toys.
Arbitrarily, clinicians think that the rupture of the first water bag marks the end of the first stage of the perturbation or the first stage of the labor. Then the second stage of labor is the expulsion of the fetus which requires 30 to 180 minutes. Depending on the species the time is different.
There are strong uterine contractions, the appearance of the fetus wrapped in amnion at the vulvar lips, then maternal recumbency and straining. Straining continues with uterine and abdominal contractions causing the movement of the fetus. the fetus forwardly. This results in rupture of the amnion and the fetal delivery. Then the third stage of labour.
Includes the expulsion of the placenta and uterine involution. The expulsion of the placenta takes 1 to 12 hours in cattle. There are increased uterine contractions after the birth of the fetus and the chorionic villi would loosen.
There is expulsion of placenta. This may be delayed in ruminants due to the presence of cotyledons separating independently. Suckling induces oxytocin release which triggers Further you try contractions. This is a table showing the duration of different stages of labor in different domestic animals.
In the cow, the first stage of labor may take 4 to 24 hours. Bluish vascular, semi-transparent coriolan ties appears and ruptures. The second stage in the cattle may require from 0.5 to 3 hours.
Amnion appears with the fetus and the fetus is delivered. The third stage... The production of placenta may require 8 to 16 hours and the placenta is expelled and the contractions continue. Similarly, these periods have been described for buffalo for first, second and third stage of labour, nearly similar to cattle.
In the mare, the second stage of labour, or the time of fetal delivery requires lesser time 30 minutes and the contractions are violent and the expulsion of placenta occurs within three hours whereas in the bitch the first stage of labor may require 4 to 24 hours and in the second stage of labor the first puppy may be delivered two hours within the onset of second stage of labor and 5 to 60 minutes between subsequent The total time may require even up to 24 hours. And the placenta may be expelled after each puppy or within 2 hours of the last puppy. And similar are the cases in the cat and the sow. Then in the camel, the first stage of labor may take 3 to 48 hours, the second stage 5 to 18 minutes and the placental expulsion may occur within 4 hours of the delivery of the calf. These are some of the pictures showing the sequence of the events in the cow.
The first stage of labor and the second stage of labor. Here you can see the calf is coming out. Then this is the sequence of events of parturition in the buffalo. The filling of the udder completely with milk, a anxious look of the buffalo and then the switching of her tail and then contractions, the buffalo getting up, lying down and then followed by the coming out of the first water bag.
Then the second water bag and the fetus wrapped in the second water bag and then the fetal delivery with both its legs extended and the head resting on her knees. And then the maternal behavior by the buffalo and here you can see the placenta is being expelled from a buffalo that has parturated. In the mare it appears anxious during the first stage of labor. There may be sweating and she may kick at her sides. If she is disturbed, the progression of the labor may be disturbed.
During the second stage, the mare may lie down intermittently. May show rolling, may look like a colic and then finally the mare delivers her foal and then her placenta. Sometimes there is a premature separation of the... Coriolan ties which results into a velvety red appearance of a bag which is known as the red bag delivery and this must be broken in order to save the fetus.
Then these pictures show the stages of labour in a goat. The first stage, the second stage and the third stage of the labour in a goat. Then a pregnant cat about to kitten and a sow in delivery, delivering her piglets.
This picture shows the maternal behavior by the mother after the delivery of the fetus. She licks her and then may clean the calf's body and may even sometimes chew the navel of the calf. So, thank you very much.
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