Maternal and fetal ultrasonography, vulvar temperature and vaginal mucous impedance for the prediction of parturition in Saanen does

Author(s)

Del'Aguila-Silva, Priscila ; Santos, Fabiana Cirino dos ; Aires, Luiz Paulo Nogueira ; Uscategui, Ricardo Andres Ramirez ; Amoroso, Lizandra ; Vicente, Wilter Ricardo Russiano ; Feliciano, Marcus Antonio Rossi

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANIMAL REPRODUCTION; v. 20, n. 1, p. 8-pg., 2023-01-01.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate and correlate modifications of vaginal mucous impedance, vulvar temperature and ultrasonographic measurements (echobiometric parameters) to parturition in pregnant Saanen does. 30 does were selected for the study and submitted to an estrus synchronization protocol and natural mating. The females were evaluated daily from Day 143 of pregnancy to parturition. For the sonographic evaluations, the following structures were measured: biparietal diameter, thoracic diameter, abdominal diameter, ocular orbit, kidney length, kidney height, cardiac area, placentome length, cervical measurement and fetal heart rate; by means of two different approaches: transrectal and transabdominal, using a 7.5 MHz linear transducer. The vaginal mucous impedance was assessed using an electric estrous detector and vulvar temperature was measured using a non-contact infrared thermometer. Statistical analysis was performed using the R-project software and the significance level was set at 5% for all tests. 25 Saanen does became pregnant, resulting in 80.33% pregnancy rate. Fetal heart rate was negatively correlated to the hours to parturition (p<0,001; r-Pearson=-0,451), as well as vaginal temperature (p= 0,001; r-Pearson=-0,275), while cervical thickness was positively correlated to hours to parturition (p<0,001; r-Pearson= 0,490). The echobiometric parameters (biparietal diameter, thoracic diameter, abdominal diameter, ocular orbit, kidney length and height, cardiac area, placentome length), as well as vaginal mucous impedance did not vary throughout the timepoints of evaluation and did not correlate to the moment of parturition. It was concluded that the parameters of fetal heartbeat, vaginal temperature and cervical effacement in the last week of pregnancy provide valuable information regarding the proximity of parturition. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/14957-6 - Study of new biotechnics for reproduction of canine and small ruminants
• Grantee: Wilter Ricardo Russiano Vicente
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants