Effect of different doses of dexamethasone on labor in Santa Inês ewes and its influence on the onset of labor and the expulsion of fetal membranes

Abstract

<jats:p>ABSTRACT: The induction of labor aims to concentrate births to follow up better the parturient and the first care to the neonates. However, even if the labor induction technique with dexamethasone administration has been successfully described since the late 1970s, few studies report the technique of birth development and neonatal vitality in Santa Inês sheep. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of dexamethasone use in two doses (8 and 16mg) in labor induction of Santa Inês ewes at 145 days of gestation and to evaluate its effects on the birth characteristics. In this study, 58 ewes were used, raised in an extensive system in the experimental farms of UFBA, with confirmation pregnancy after fixed-time artificial insemination or controlled breeding. These female ewes were separated into three groups according to the dose of dexamethasone administered (G1 = 0mg, G2 = 8mg, and G3 = 16mg). From these births, 79 lambs were born. This study analyzed the period from induction of labor to birth, fetal presentation at birth, the weight of the placenta, and the period for placenta expulsion. The data were analyzed by the Statistical Analysis System (SAS v.9.1.3®, 2002), and the significance level considered for all analyzes was 5%. Births of induced groups occurred on average at 48.4±22.17 hours after induction, while the females with non-induced labor gave birth 131.96±41.9 hours on average after the placebo application (P&lt;0.05), confirming the efficiency of both doses for induction of labor. The period from induction to birth did not differ (P&gt;0.05) between the doses used. There were no differences in delivery about the fetal static relation, time to placental attachment, and weight. With this study, it can be concluded that the induction at 145 days of gestation with eight or 16mg of dexamethasone is a useful technique and does not alter the labor in Santa Inês sheep.</jats:p>

Technologies Used in Production Systems for Santa Inês Sheep: A Systematic Review

“…Seeking to facilitate calf handling, dexamethasone in ewes at 145 days gestation (8 and 16 mg) is an effective alternative to induce labor and concentrate handling and attention to the neonates without altering labor ( 127 ).…”

Prepubic tendon rupture in Santa Inês ewe – case report

“…An ultrasound examination confirmed the viability of the two fetuses and no hernial content was observed. In a cautious approach, in the last days of pregnancy, when the due date is known, the induction of parturition in ewes can be performed with corticosteroids (SANTANA et al 2010). After eight days of hospitalization, the labor was induced using a single dose of dexamethasone (20mg dose total), IM, as Prestes and Landim-Alvarenga Desmorrexia pré-púbica em ovelha Santa Inês -relato de caso…”