Methoden der Geburtsüberwachung bei der Stute – eine Übersicht

Zusammenfassung

Zur Geburtsüberwachung beim Pferd stehen verschiedene Systeme zur Verfügung. Dabei muss zwischen den Methoden zur genaueren Vorhersage des Geburtstermins, um zeitnah die Überwachung der Stute zu intensivieren, und den Methoden, um Tiere in der Geburt zu detektieren, unterschieden werden. Grundsätzlich ist festzustellen, dass fast keine Untersuchungen, die verschiedene Methoden an einer gleichen Population von Stuten vergleichend testen, vorliegen. Mit Annäherung an den Geburtszeitpunkt verändern sich physiologische Parameter von Stute und Fetus, deren Variabilität jedoch zu hoch ist, um den exakten Geburtszeitpunkt prospektiv vorauszusagen. Die derzeit beste Methode ist der Nachweis des Absinkens des pH-Wertes und der Anstieg der Kalziumkonzentration im Eutersekret.

Zur Detektion der Geburt ist zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt die durchgängige Kameraüberwachung die Methode der Wahl. Nachteilig ist, dass die Aufnahmen von einem Menschen bewertet werden müssen. Neuere Entwicklungen durch den Einsatz der künstlichen Intelligenz könnten hier Entlastung schaffen. Bevor diese Methoden praxisreif sind, ist die Kombination von Kameraüberwachung und einem Sensor, der in die Vulva eingenäht und in der Öffnungsphase der Geburt aktiviert wird, die sicherste Methode.

Abstract

Various systems are available for birth monitoring in horses, whereby a distinction must be made between methods for more accurate prediction of the date of birth in order to intensify monitoring of the mare in a timely manner as well as methods for detecting individuals that are in labor. Basically, it should be noted that there are almost no studies that compare different methods on the same population of mares. As the time of birth approaches, physiological parameters of mare and fetus change, but their variability is too high to predict the exact parturition time point prospectively. The best method currently available is the detection of a decrease in the pH value and an increase in the calcium concentration of the udder secretions.

Continuous camera monitoring is currently the method of choice for the detection of the start of the parturition process. However, the downside of this method is that the recordings have to be evaluated by a human.

Recent developments based on the use of artificial intelligence could provide significant improvement. Before these methods are ready for practical use, the combination of camera monitoring and a sensor that is sewn into the vulva and activated during the opening phase of parturition is the safest method.

Schlüsselwörter

Stute - Geburtsüberwachungssysteme - Kamera - Transponder - Eutersekret

Keywords

Mare - parturition monitoring systems - camera - transponder - mammary secretion

Publication History

Received: 31 March 2024

Accepted: 06 May 2024

Article published online:
22 August 2024

• Literatur

• 1 Rossdale P. Clinical view of disturbances in equine foetal maturation. Equine Vet. J. 1993; 25: 3-7
• 2 Jeffcott L. Observations on Parturition in Crossbred Pony Mares. Equine Vet. J. 1972; 4: 209-214
• 3 Lanci A, Castagnetti C, Ranciati S. et al. A regression model including fetal orbit measurements to predict parturition in Standardbred mares with normal pregnancy. Theriogenology 2019; 126: 153-158
• 4 Nagel C, Aurich J, Aurich C. Prediction of the onset of parturition in horses and cattle. Theriogenology 2020; 150: 308-312
• 5 Rossdale P, Short R. The time of foaling of thoroughbred mares. Reproduction 1967; 13: 341-343
• 6 Brinsko S, Blanchard T, Varner D. et al. Management of the Pregnant Mare. In: Brinsko S, Blanchard T, Varner D, Schumacher J, Love C, Hrsg. Manual of Equine Reproduction. 3. Aufl. München: Elsevier; 2010: 114-130
• 7 Peaker M, Rossdale P, Forsyth I. et al. Changes in mammary development and the composition of secretion during late pregnancy in the mare. J Reprod Fert 1979; 27: 555-561
• 8 Renton J. Parturition in the mare. In Pract 1984; 6: 19-21
• 9 Cheong S, Castillo Herrera J, Dockweiler J. et al. Efficacy and outcome of foaling augmented with oxytocin using mammary calcium and pH criteria to guide the timing of augmentation. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 202: 87-95
• 10 Grunert E, Arbeiter K. Dauer der Gravidität. In: Grunert, E; Arbeiter, K, Hrsg. Tiergeburtshilfe. 4. Aufl. Singhofen: Paul Parey; 1993: 79-110
• 11 Hartmann C, Lidauer L, Aurich J. et al. Detection of the time of foaling by accelerometer technique in horses (Equus caballus) – a pilot study. Reprod Dom Anim 2018; 53: 1279-1286
• 12 Shaw E, Houpt K, Holmes D. Body temperature and behaviour of mares during the last two weeks of pregnancy. Equine Vet J 1988; 20: 199-202
• 13 Melchert M, Aurich C, Aurich J. et al. External stress increases sympathoadrenal activity and prolongs the expulsive phase of foaling in pony mares. Theriogenology 2019; 128: 110-115
• 14 Borchers M. Untersuchung zur Eignung des ALT-Pedometers als Fohlengeburtsmelder [Dissertation]. Hannover: Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover;; 2008
• 15 Auclair-Ronzaud J, Jousset T, Dubois C. et al. No-contact microchip measurements of body temperature and behavioural changes prior to foaling. Theriogenology 2020; 157: 399-406
• 16 ACARiS. Online: https://acaris.net Stand: 07.03.2024
• 17 Turner R, McDonnell S, Feit E. et al. Real-time ultrasound measure of the fetal eye (vitreous body) for prediction of parturition date in small ponies. Theriogenology 2006; 66: 331-337
• 18 Korosue K, Murase H, Sato F. et al. Assessment for Predicting Parturition in Mares Based on Prepartum Temperature Changes Using a Digital Rectal Thermometer and Microchip Transponder Thermometry Device. J Vet Med Sci 2012; 74: 845-850
• 19 Müller A, Glüge S, Vidondo B. et al. Increase of skin temperature prior to parturition in mares. Theriogenology 2022; 190: 46-51
• 20 Aoki T, Shibata M, Violin G. et al. Detection of foaling using a tail-attached device with a thermistor and tri-axial accelerometer in pregnant mares. PLoS One 2023; 18: e0286807
• 21 Neuhauser S, Gösele S, Handler J. Klinische Parameter der Spätträchtigkeit bei der Stute. Tierärztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere 2018; 46: 164-171
• 22 Nagel C, Aurich J, Aurich C. Heart rate and Heart Rate Variability in the Pregnant Mare and its Foetus. Reprod Domest Anim 2011; 46: 990-993
• 23 Nagel C, Melchert M, Aurich C. et al. Differences in Endocrine and Cardiac Changes in Mares and Her Fetus before, during and after Parturition in Horses of Different Size. Animals 2020; 10: 1577
• 24 Turner J, Todd L, Arns M. et al. Case Study: Use of Optical Density of Mammary Secretions to Predict Parturition in Mares. Prof Anim Sci 2002; 18: 312-315
• 25 Korosue K, Murase H, Sato F. et al. Comparison of pH and refractometry index with calcium concentrations in preparturient mammary gland secretions of mares. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013; 242: 242-248
• 26 Canisso I, Ball M, Troedsson M. et al. Decreasing pH of mammary gland secretions is associates with parturition and is correlated with electrolyte concentrations in prefoaling mares. Vet Rec 2013; 173: 218
• 27 Diel de Amorim M, Montanholi Y, Morrison M. et al. Comparison of foaling prediction technologies in periparturient standardbred mares. J Equine Vet Sci 2019; 77: 86-92
• 28 Ley W, Hoffman J, Meacham T. et al. Daytime Management of the Mare. Pre-foaling Mammary Secretions Testing. J Equine Vet Sci 1989; 9: 88-94
• 29 Ousey J, Delclaux M, Rossdale P. Evaluation of three strip tests for measuring electrolytes in mares´ pre-partum mammary secretions and for predicting parturition. Equine Vet J 1989; 21: 196-200
• 30 Ousey J, Dudan F, Rossdale P. Preliminary studies of mammary secretions in the mare to assess foetal readiness for birth. Equine Vet J 1984; 16: 259-263
• 31 Werner Kegel GMBH Waechtomat. Online: https://www.waechtomat.de Stand: 06.03.2024
• 32 Bachmann M, Wensch-Dorendorf M, Hoffmann G. et al. Pedometers as supervision tools for mares in the prepartal period. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2013; 151: 51-60
• 33 EasyFoal. Online: https://www.easyfoal.com Stand:18.02.2024
• 34 Birth Alarm Deutschland. Online: https://birthalarm.com/de/ueber-uns/ Stand: 28.02.2024
• 35 Jan Wolters Abfohlsystem GmbH. Online: https://www.abfohlsystem.de/de/ Stand: 02.02.2024
• 36 Lindinger H, Wehrend A. Investigating the suitability of a transponder-based birth monitoring system attached to the vulva of a mare. Vet World 2023; 16: 2451-2456
• 37 Sigloo EQUIREP KFT. Online: http://geburtsmelder.com Stand: 18.02.2024