Etiological Aspects of Perinatal Mortality in the Thoroughbred

Abstract

SUMMARY Some of the principal causes of stillbirth and foalhood mortality in the Thoroughbred are described, based on the interim findings of a Survey of perinatal disease and mortality, and on autopsy records. A high proportion of the early foalhood mortality can be attributed to defective intrauterine development in various forms. Twinning also is an important cause of perinatal mortality. Among diseases affecting foals during the first few weeks of life, alimentary disorders and generalized infections were the most important categories. Some of the factors influencing foetal development and maturity are discussed, and the need for more research into this subject in the equine is commented upon. RÉSUMÉ Quelques unes des causes principales de la mortalité néo natale et durant les premières semaines, chez le foal de Pur Sang, sont indiquées, compte tenu d'une étude des maladies péri‐natales et des examens post mortem effectués. Une forte proportion des cas mortels durant le très jeune age peut être attributée à diverses formes de pertubations durant la vie intra utérine. La gemellité est également une cause importante de mortalité. Parmi les maladies les plus importantes affectant le foal durant les premières semaines de sa vie, les troubles digestifs et les infections généralisées paraissent dominer. Quelques uns des facteurs modifiant le développement foetal sont évoqués et la nécessité de recherches dans ce domaine est souligné. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Einige Hauptursachen von Totgeburten und Fohlen‐verlusten beim Vollblut werden beschrieben, gestützt auf vorläufige Resultate einer Ueberblicksuntersuchung über perinatale Krankheiten und Verluste und auf Sektions‐befunde. Ein hoher Anteil an der Mortalität im frühen Fohlen‐alter kann einer fehlerhaften intrauterinen Entwicklung verschiedener Art zugeschrieben werden. Unter den Krankediten des Fohlens in seinen ersten Lebenswochen sind Ernährungsstörungen und generalisierte Infektionen die wichtigsten. Einige Faktoren, die die foetale Entwicklung und die Reifung beeinflussen, werden diskutiert und das Bedürfnis für intensivere Erforschung dieses Gebiets beim Pferd wird kommentiert.

Genetic study of gestation length in andalusian and arabian mares

“…We observed longer gestation periods in both younger and older mares ( Table 2). Similar results were obtained in most studies (Akkayan and Demirtel, 1974;Platt, 1979;Bos and Van Der Mey, 1980;Demirci, 1988). This was postulated to be due to a decrease in uterine/placental nutritional efficiency (Pashan and Allen, 1979) and/or the metabolic-hormonal drive to grow (Gluckman and Hanson, 2004), as a consequence of age and the multiparous state, slowing intrauterine growth and prolonging gestation.…”

“…We found differences that are similar to these. Variation was greater when mares were bred out of season, as reported by Platt (1984) and Pérez et al (2003).…”

A review of the causes of abortion in UK mares and means of diagnosis used in an equine studfarm practice in Newmarket

“…Make sure that the mare's placenta has been expelled completely, so that she can be speedily and specifically examined and appropriately treated where there are signs of retention. Surveys of the causes of abortion in mares have been published over the years, from different parts of the world (Mahaffey, 1968, Bain, 1969Prickett, 1970;Platt, 1973;Dimmock, Edwards and Bruner (1974);Platt (1975); Rossdale and Ricketts (1976) ;Platt, 1979;Whitwell, 1980;Acland, 1993). The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective survey of the last six year's records of postmortem examinations performed on pre-term (up to 10 months gestation) aborted foeti at an equine practice pathology laboratory in Newmarket, for comparison.…”

Growth and Maturity in the Equine Fetus

“…The information presented here is derived from a perinatal survey conducted on thoroughbred studs during the years 1968-73 (Platt 1978), supplemented by information from the Equine Research Station's autopsy records of aborted equine fetuses and from other sources. (Platt 1978) and chorionic surface area (K E Whitwell, personal communication).…”