Parturition Lab

Parturition is derived from Latin word parturire which means

to be ready to bear young

Does parturition involved various hormones

yes (relaxin, oxytocin, prolactin, P4, E2)

T/F: different species have adapted to various birthing repro schemes

true

Gestational length of equine

11 month

Gestational length of bovine

9 months

gestational length of ovine/caprine

5 months

Porcine gestational length

112-114 days (3 months, 3 wks, 3 days)

What species have a diffuse placental type

equine and porcine

What species have a cotyledonary placenta

bovine, caprine, ovine

Humans/primates have a what type of placenta

discoid

dogs and cats have what type of placenta

zonary

T/F: The inner cell mass is fetus and outside is the placenta

true

T/F: No blood on amniotic sack

true

Stage 1 of parturition includes all the following EXCEPT

a) no external changes seen

b) placental attachment is less “intimate”

c) birth canal prepares

d) expulsion of fetus

e) animal becomes uncomfortable

f) contractions begin while fetus orients itself in correct direction

d) expulsion of fetus

Time frame of stage 1 in cows

2-6hrs

Time frame of stage 1 in mares

1-4hrs

Time frame of stage 1 in ewes

2-6hrs

Time frame of stage 1 in sows

2-12hrs

Cervix during Stage 1 of parturition:

1. loosening occurs to alteration in [what]

2. cervix dilates w/ external os prior to internal os, [what shape is formed]

3. vagina and [what] form a continuous canal

4. shortening and dilation of [what]

1. collagen composition

2. cone shape is formed

3. uterus

4. internal os

What part of the fetus’ body is the hardest to push out in each species

• cow: hind legs/ butt

• horse: shoulders

• humans: head

What stage of parturition does this describe

• expulsion of fetus

• in species w/ multi young, this can’t be separated from stage 3

• allantochorionic sac ruptures

• fetal head appears

Stage 2

T/F: mare, cow, and ewe usually have the fetus delivered in anterior presentation, dorsal position, and extended posture

true

T/F: sows can have up to 40-45% in normal presentation in stage 2

true

Duration of stage 2 of parturition

• cow

• mare

• ewe

• sow

• cow: 70 min

• mare: 17min

• ewe: 1 hr

• sow: 4 hr

Stage 3 of parturition

• contractions continue for expulsion of placenta

• afterbirth normal eaten by animals

  • cleaning up/scent

  • nutrients

• suckling usually influences expulsion of afterbirth

Duration of stage 3 in cow

6-12 hrs

Duration of stage 3 in mare

30 min-3hr

Duration of stage 3 in ewe

2-3hrs

Duration of stage 3 in sow

4hrs

what are 5 problems that can come up during parturition

• incorrect orientation

• incorrect placentation

• large birth wt

• length of time during stages

• weather climate

Dystocia (difficult delivery)

Red bagging

portion of placenta has detached from uterine wall prematurely, reducing or eliminating exchange of nutrients to fetus still inside mare

Prolapsed uterus

sagging or slipping of uterus from its original position

If the placenta is retained after birth, what will it cause

an infection

T/F: pulling the cord is good way to deliver the placenta

false; it will cause prolapse of uterus

what are 2 hormones we can give to expel placenta

• oxytocin: uterine contractions

• PGF2 alpha

Cervical Star Picture

Gravid and non-gravid horns

• Gravid horns (pregnant horn) will be more stretched and become more of a problem

• Non-gravid horn will be smaller and be more condensed

T/F: the shiny side of the placenta will be for the fetus and the velvet side is for the mare

true; the placenta will be turned inside out when delivered so the shiny side will be shown first during delivery but to be inspected, the velvet needs to be on outside and shiny on the inside

Be able to identify placental components