The preparatory phase of parturition in Saanen goats. Clinical signs of imminent labor and hormonal profile evaluation

Author(s)

Ana Paula Mazucco Prina

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2007-08-30

Examining board members

Eduardo Harry Birgel Júnior; Claudio Alvarenga de Oliveira; Juarez Pinto Fernandes Távora

• Advisor: Eduardo Harry Birgel Júnior

Abstract

With the aim to evaluate the morpho-functional changes of the caprine\'s parturition preparatory phase, 18 Saanen does were examined twice a day within the 20 finishing days of gestation and at the end of the experiment they were grouped according to the moment that preceded the birth (16, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1 ½, 1, ½ days before parturition and immediately before labor). There were also picked samples of sanguine plasma and milky serum for the progesterone, oestradiol and cortisol dosage and milky calcium determinations. During the clinical exam the following parameters were evaluated: corporal temperature; relaxation and movement of the Sacrosciatic Ligaments; movement and flexibility of the tail; distention and filling of the udder and teats; appearance of the pre-colostral milky secretion and its calcium concentration; modifications of the vulva and vaginal discharge and determination of the plasmatic values of progesterone, oestradiol and cortisol. Gradual relaxation and increase of movement of the Sacrosciatic Ligaments occurred, observed with larger intensity starting from 24 hours before parturition, with maximum degree observed in the moment of the birth. A gradual decrease in the animals\' capacity on tail movement was observed associated to the relaxation and movement of the Sacrosciatic Ligaments. The mammary gland and teats became more distended and full in agreement with the proximity of the moment of parturition and the edema presence in the mammary gland was sporadic. The frequency of goats whose milky secretion was classified as colostrum increased with the approach of the labor, as well as the calcium tenors in the pre-colostral secretion. There was a significant increase of the vaginal discharge in the animals examined immediately before parturition. The hormonal profile suffered influence of the preparatory phase of labor, occurring decrease of the medium plasmatic tenors of progesterone and increase of the oestradiol and cortisol tenors as the parturition approaches. The corporal temperature, the size and vulva edema, the degree of flexibility of the tail and the coloration of vaginal mucous membrane didn\'t suffer influence of the preparatory stage of labor. (AU)