Relation between Apgar scoring and physical parameters in 44 newborn Amiata donkey foals at birth

Francesca Bonelli; Irene Nocera; Giuseppe Conte; Duccio Panzani; Micaela Sgorbini

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.10.020

Relation between Apgar scoring and physical parameters in 44 newborn Amiata donkey foals at birth

Theriogenology. 2020 Jan 15:142:310-314. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.10.020. Epub 2019 Oct 23.

Authors

Francesca Bonelli¹, Irene Nocera², Giuseppe Conte³, Duccio Panzani⁴, Micaela Sgorbini⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Livornese snc, 56122, San Piero a Grado (PI), Italy. Electronic address: francesca.bonelli@unipi.it.
² Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Livornese snc, 56122, San Piero a Grado (PI), Italy. Electronic address: irene.nocera@vet.unipi.it.
³ Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: giuseppe.conte@unipi.it.
⁴ Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Livornese snc, 56122, San Piero a Grado (PI), Italy. Electronic address: duccio.panzani@unipi.it.
⁵ Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Livornese snc, 56122, San Piero a Grado (PI), Italy. Electronic address: micaela.sgorbini@unipi.it.

PMID: 31711687
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.10.020

Abstract

The assessment of the behavior and physiological parameters of neonatal foals is essential in the detection of early signs of illness. Modified Apgar scoring systems from human medicine exist and have been validated in foals as a guide for assessing neonatal viability after birth. This study evaluated the viability of 44 Amiata donkey foals at birth, by assessing the Apgar score and comparing the relationship between viability and various physical parameters. A total of 44 Amiata donkey foals and 27 jennies were enrolled in this study. An expert operator examined each foal within 5 min of birth. A complete physical examination was performed, along with an existing four-parameter Apgar score. The presence of the suckling reflex was evaluated. The interval time needed to acquire sternal recumbency and quadrupedal position, as well as nurse from the mare, were recorded. In addition, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and rectal body temperature (BT) were measured. Results were expressed as median ± standard error, minimum and maximum values. The effects of the Apgar score on time to reach sternal position and quadrupedal standing, time to nurse from the mare, RR, HR, and BT were estimated along with the differences related to Apgar scoring and gender. Differences between female and male donkey foals regarding the time to acquire sternal position and quadrupedal standing, time to nurse from the mare, RR, HR, and BT were also assessed. Differences between female and male donkey foals regarding the Apgar score was evaluated using a chi-Square test. Finally, the reference values for Amiata donkeys were also calculated. Twenty/44 (45.4%) foals were colts and 24/44 (54.5%) were fillies born from 27 jennies. None of the foals showed an Apgar score lower than 6. Twenty-nine out of 44 foals showed an Apgar score of 8/8, 10/44 a score of 7/8, while 5 foals (11.3%) showed a score of 6/8. No differences between fillies and colts in relation to the Apgar score were obtained.

Keywords: Apgar score; Donkey foal; Neonatal evaluation; Vitality.

MeSH terms

Animals
Animals, Newborn*
Apgar Score*
Equidae
Female
Fetal Viability / physiology
Parturition / physiology*
Physical Examination / veterinary*
Pregnancy
Reflex / physiology
Research Design
Sucking Behavior / physiology
Veterinary Medicine / methods