Sow serenity: automatic long-term measurement of lying behavior in crates and free-farrowing pens using 3D accelerometers.

Accelerometers are useful in analyzing lying behavior in farm animals. The effect of the farrowing system on sow lying behavior has been studied around parturition, but not long-term. In a natural environment, sows increase activity 14 d post parturition, which we expected to be also evident in housed sows when they can move freely. The objective of this study was (1) to validate the methodology to automatically measure sow lying bouts and duration with accelerometers and (2) to apply it to crated and free-farrowing sows 24-h pre-parturition until weaning. We used videos with manual behavior coding as the gold standard for validation and calculated the agreement with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), which was 0.30 (95% CI: -0.10 to 0.64) for the number of lying bouts. When transitional sitting bouts were excluded from the video dataset, the ICC for lying bouts increased to 0.86 (95% CI: 0.40 to 0.95). For lying duration, the ICC was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.26 to 0.98). We evaluated the effects of housing, day relative to parturition, and time of day on lying using the accelerometer data and linear mixed models. In crated sows, the number of lying bouts increased toward parturition, peaking at about five bouts per 6 h, and decreased to almost zero bouts after parturition. Then, it increased again (P = 0.001). In free-farrowing sows, the number of lying bouts gradually decreased from a high level towards parturition and was lowest after parturition. It remained constant, as in the crated sows, until day 15, when the number of bouts increased to eight bouts on day 20 (P = 0.001). Sows in both systems were lying almost all of the time between 18:00 and 00:00 hours and on all days (P = 0.001). The crated sows showed a very similar pattern in the other three-quarters of the day with a reduced lying time before parturition, a peak after parturition, reduced lying time from days 5 to 20, and an increase again towards weaning (P = 0.001). Free-farrowing sows had a similar pattern to the crated sows from 00:00 to 06:00 hours, but without the reduction in lying time from days 5 to 20. They showed an increase in lying time toward parturition, which remained constant with a final decrease toward weaning, especially during the day (P = 0.001). This study proves the accuracy of accelerometer-based sow lying behavior classification and shows that free-farrowing systems benefit lactating sows around parturition but also towards weaning in the nest-leaving phase by facilitating activity.

We analyzed lying behavior of sows using sensors, focusing on crated versus free-farrowing sows from pre-parturition to weaning. Lying behavior varies in this time following the needs of the sow and her litter. In a natural environment, sows increase activity 14 d post parturition, which we expected to be also evident in housed sows when they are allowed to move freely. Validation with video data showed excellent agreement for duration and frequency of lying. In crated sows, the number of lying bouts peaked around parturition, decreased after parturition, and then gradually increased. In free-farrowing sows, lying down occurred less often before parturition, but increased by day 20 compared to crated sows. Both housing systems showed prolonged lying periods from 18:00 to 00:00 hours. Crated sows had reduced lying times before parturition and lied longest post-parturition, which decreased until day 5 and then increased toward weaning. Free-farrowing sows had similar nocturnal patterns but persistent lying times that increased prior to parturition and decreased prior to weaning. Overall, the study highlighted the accuracy of accelerometer-based lying behavior classification and showed that free-farrowing systems benefit lactating sows not only around parturition but also toward weaning, facilitating activity during the nest-leaving phase.

Simulation of the Childbirth Process in LS-DYNA.

Childbirth or labor, as the final phase of a pregnancy, is a biomechanical process that delivers the fetus from the uterus. It mainly involves two important biological structures in the mother, the uterus-generating the pushing force on the fetus-and the pelvis (bony pelvis and pelvic floor muscles)-resisting the movement of the fetus. The existing computational models developed in this field that simulate the childbirth process have focused on either the uterine expulsion force or the resistive structures of the pelvis, not both. An FEM model including both structures as a system was developed in this paper to simulate the fetus delivery process in LS-DYNA. Uterine active contraction was driven by contractile fiber elements using the Hill material model. The passive portion of the uterus and pelvic floor muscles were modeled with Neo Hookean and Mooney-Rivlin materials, respectively. The bony pelvis was modeled as a rigid body. The fetus was divided into three components: the head, neck, and body. Three uterine active contraction cycles were modeled. The model system was validated based on multiple outputs from the model, including the stress distribution within the uterus, the maximum Von Mises and principal stress on the pelvic floor muscles, the duration of the second stage of the labor, and the movement of the fetus. The developed model system can be applied to investigate the effects of pathomechanics related to labor, such as pelvic floor disorders and brachial plexus injury.

Morphological examination of pelvic floor muscles in a rat model of vaginal delivery.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated morphological changes in the composition of the pelvic floor muscles, degree of atrophy, and urethral function in a rat of simulated birth trauma induced by vaginal distension (VD) model. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were classified into four groups: a sham group, and 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-VD (1 W, 2 W, and 4 W, respectively) groups. We measured the amplitude of urethral response to electrical stimulation (A-URE) to evaluate urethral function. After measuring the muscle wet weight of the pubococcygeus (Pcm) and iliococcygeus (Icm) muscles, histochemical staining was used to classify muscle fibers into Types I, IIa, and IIb, and the occupancy and cross-sectional area of each muscle fiber were determined. RESULTS: There were 24 Sprague-Dawley rats used. A-URE was significantly lower in the 1 W group versus the other groups. Muscle wet weight was significantly lower in the VD groups versus the sham group for Pcm. The cross-sectional area of Type I Pcm and Icm was significantly lower in the VD groups versus the sham group. Type I muscle fiber composition in Pcm was significantly lower in the VD groups versus the sham groupand lowest in the 2 W group. Type I muscle fiber composition in Icm was significantly lower in the 2 and 4 W groups versus the sham group. CONCLUSION: Muscle atrophy and changes in muscle composition in the pelvic floor muscles were observed even after improvements in urethral function. These results may provide insight into the pathogenesis of stress urinary incontinence after VD.

Identification of genetic variants and individual genes associated with postpartum hypocalcemia in Holstein cows.

Periparturient hypocalcemia is a complex metabolic disorder that occurs at the onset of lactation because of a sudden irreversible loss of Ca incorporated into colostrum and milk. Some cows are unable to quickly adapt to this demand and succumb to clinical hypocalcemia, commonly known as milk fever, whereas a larger proportion of cows develop subclinical hypocalcemia. The main goal of this study was to identify causative mutations and candidate genes affecting postpartum blood calcium concentration in Holstein cows. Data consisted of blood calcium concentration measured in 2513 Holstein cows on the first three days after parturition. All cows had genotypic information for 79 k SNP markers. Two consecutive rounds of imputation were performed: first, the 2513 Holstein cows were imputed from 79 k to 312 k SNP markers. This imputation was performed using a reference set of 17,131 proven Holstein bulls with 312 k SNP markers. Then, the 2513 Holstein cows were imputed from 312 k markers to whole-genome sequence data. This second round of imputation used 179 Holstein animals from the 1000 Bulls Genome Project as a reference set. Three alternative phenotypes were evaluated: (1) total calcium concentration in the first 24 h postpartum, (2) total calcium concentration in the first 72 h postpartum calculated as the area under the curve; and (3) the recovery of total calcium concentration calculated as the difference in total calcium concentration between 72 and 24 h. The identification of genetic variants associated with these traits was performed using a two-step mixed model-based approach implemented in the R package MixABEL. The most significant variants were located within or near genes involved in calcium homeostasis and vitamin D transport (GC), calcium and potassium channels (JPH3 and KCNK13), energy and lipid metabolism (CA5A, PRORP, and SREBP1), and immune response (IL12RB2 and CXCL8), among other functions. This work provides the foundation for the development of novel breeding and management tools for reducing the incidence of periparturient hypocalcemia in dairy cattle.

[Initiation and endocrine control of parturition in domestic mammals - Part 1]. / Initiierung und endokrine Kontrolle der Geburt bei Haussäugetieren ­ Teil 1.

Endocrine regulation of parturition is based on an intense exchange of signals between the fetus, placenta and mother. Apart from sheep, our knowledge of the endocrine control of parturition is still very incomplete. However, current observations suggest significant differences between the species. For the maintenance of pregnancy, progesterone (P4) is the crucial superordinate regulatory factor, although in some species, such as the horse, functions of P4 are at least partially fulfilled by other progestogens. In general, prepartum P4 withdrawal is considered a prerequisite for the onset of physiological birth. In species with exclusive (dog) or predominant (e. g., cattle, goat, pig) luteal P4 at the end of gestation, luteolysis is the crucial event. In sheep, where P4 is of placental origin prior to parturition, the prepartum P4 decline is due to a switch in placental steroid metabolism. The mechanism of prepartum progestogen withdrawal in the mare is still largely unclear. In sheep, initiation of parturition proceeds from maturation of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which leads to a steep prepartum rise in fetal cortisol concentrations stimulating the collapse of placental P4 production. In cattle, fetal cortisol probably triggers luteolysis via stimulation of placental prostaglandin secretion. In several other domestic mammalian species, there is also evidence that the initiation of parturition proceeds from maturation of the fetal HPA axis. However, the functional relationships between fetal cortisol and prepartum P4 withdrawal are largely unknown in nonruminant species.

[Induction and endocrine control of parturition in domestic mammals - Part 2 - Species-specific aspects and their relevance to the applicability of birth induction procedures]. / Initiierung und endokrine Kontrolle der Geburt bei Haussäugetieren ­ Teil 2.

The endocrine regulation of birth is based on an intensive exchange of signals between fetus, placenta and mother. Apart from sheep, our knowledge of the underlying processes is still very incomplete. However, current observations suggest substantial species differences. Of critical importance for the onset of the final steps of the signaling cascade leading to active labor is "prepartum progesterone withdrawal," which is based on luteolysis (e. g., cattle, goat, buffalo, camelids, pig) or a breakdown in placental progestogen production (sheep, horse), depending on the relevant progestogen source in late pregnancy. Knowledge of birth-associated regulatory processes allows species-specific regulatory mechanisms to be mimicked for drug-based induction of labor. Furthermore, species-independent mechanisms such as the inhibition of progesterone receptors are available. In addition to efficacy, other aspects such as tolerability for dams and offspring as well as drug regulations must be taken into account when selecting active ingredients under practical conditions.

In silico prediction of maximum perineal muscle strain during vaginal delivery by design of experiment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of pelvic floor muscle injuries induced by childbirth is higher than 23 % in the general women population. Such injuries can lead to prolapses and other pathologies in future female life. Leveraging computational biomechanics, the study implements an advanced female pelvic floor model for computing the maximum pelvic muscle strain, which serves as an injury risk indicator. The design of experiment method, abbreviated as DoE, is used to compute the maximum strain for boundary values of bony pelvis dimensions, namely the anterior-posterior diameter (abbreviated as APD) and the transverse diameter (abbreviated as TD). This is done in combination with small, medium and large percentiles of fetal head circumference (abbreviated as HC). METHODS: We utilized a previously developed finite element model of a female pelvic floor, as a reference, and enhanced it with new features, including a more detailed tissue geometry and advanced constitutive material models. The APD and TD dimensions were sourced from the set of MRI of 64 nulliparous women. This data was used to estimate the boundary dimensions of the female bony pelvis, combining both small and large values of APD and TD. Together with the 10th and the 95th percentiles for HC, a three-dimensional domain was constructed to assess the maximum pelvic muscle strain. In boundary cases, the maximum pelvic muscle strain was computed across 8 full-factorial design models (each situated at one corner of the domain, thereby combining the minimum and the maximum values of APD, TD and HC). This was done to define a response surface that predicts the maximum pelvic muscle strain within the domain. The accuracy of this response surface prediction was validated using 15 additional intermediate design models. These models were placed at the center of the domain (1 point), the centres of the domain boundary surfaces (6 points), and midway along each domain boundary edge (8 points). RESULTS: The maximum strain results for 8 combinations of APD, TD, and HC were employed to construct a linear response surface as a function of APD, TD, and HC. Tests at an additional 19 domain points served to evaluate the efficiency of the response surface prediction. The response surface demonstrated strong predictability, with an absolute average error of 1.52 %, an absolute median error of 1.52 %, and an absolute maximum error of 11.11 %. HC emerged as the most influencing dimension, accounting for 16 % of influence. CONCLUSIONS: The reference finite element pelvic floor model was scaled to 8 full-factorial female-specific pelvic floor models, which represent the combination of boundary values for APD, TD, and HC. The maximum pelvic floor muscle strain from these 8 models was used to design a response surface. When implementing the DoE approach to construct the response, there was consistent predictability for the maximum perineal muscle strain, as validated by the additional 19 intermediate design models. As a result, the response surface methodology can serve as an initial predictor for potential childbirth-induced pelvic floor muscle injury.

Progesterone control of myometrial contractility.

During pregnancy, the primary function of the uterus is to be quiescent and not contract, which allows the growing fetus to develop and mature. A uterine muscle layer, myometrium, is composed of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Before the onset of labor contractions, the uterine SMCs experience a complex biochemical and molecular transformation involving the expression of contraction-associated proteins. Labor is initiated when genes in SMCs are activated in response to a combination of hormonal, inflammatory and mechanical signals. In this review, we provide an overview of molecular mechanisms regulating the process of parturition in humans, focusing on the hormonal control of the myometrium, particularly the steroid hormone progesterone. The primary reason for discussing the regulation of myometrial contractility by progesterone is the importance of the clinical problem of preterm birth. It is thought that the hormonal mechanisms regulating premature uterine contractions represent an untimely triggering of the normal events occurring during term parturition. Yet, our knowledge of the complex and redundant hormonal pathways controlling uterine contractile activity leading to delivery of the neonate remains incomplete. Finally, we introduce recent animal studies using a novel class of drugs, Selective Progesterone Receptor Modulators, targeting progesterone signaling to prevent premature myometrial contractions.

Autonomic nervous system balance in parturient mares: Spontaneous vs induced delivery.

Delivery is not easily predictable in horses and the consequences of dystocia can be serious for both the mare and foal. An induction protocol with low doses of oxytocin has been reported as a safe procedure. This study investigates the effect of induced delivery on at-term mares' sympathetic-vagal balance. Fourteen mares were included and divided into two groups, one subjected to spontaneous delivery (SD), and one to induced delivery (ID). In both groups, an ECG was recorded using an elastic belt with integrated smart textile electrodes. The recording started before the delivery (Basal), continued close to delivery (Pre-delivery) and during delivery (Delivery), and ended after parturition (Placental expulsion). From the ECGs, Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters relating to time and frequency domains and non-linear analysis were extrapolated. The HRV analysis was performed both within the same group (IntraGA) and between the two groups (InterGA). In the present study, spontaneous and induced delivery did not appear to differ in autonomic nervous system functioning. In IntraGA analysis, both for SD and ID mares, delivery and placental expulsion periods were parasympathetic dominated since vagal-related HRV parameters increased. Moreover, no differences were found in InterGA comparison between SD and ID mares, except for the pre-delivery period of ID mares, during which both branches of the autonomic nervous system were activated. These results are in line with the literature on parasympathetic dominance during parturition and no change in Heart Rate Variability following exogenous oxytocin administration in parturient mares.

[Definition, incidence and causes of dystocia in horses - a review of the literature]. / Definition, Häufigkeit und Ursachen der Dystokie beim Pferd ­ eine Literaturübersicht.

In horses, birth is classified as dystocia when the process of parturition threatens to inflict damage onto the mare or the foal, when assistance is required to complete the process of parturition, or when there are temporal deviations in the physiological duration of the first and/or second parturition stages. In this, the duration of the second stage is an important indicator in identifying dystocia, as this phase is easily discernible by the mare's behavior. Equine dystocia is classified as an emergency with life-threatening consequences for mare and foal. A large degree of variation has been found in the reported incidence of dystocia. Stud farm surveys reported dystocia in 2-13% of all births, regardless of breed. Fetal malpositioning of the limbs and neck during parturition is described as the most common cause of dystocia in horses. The species-specific length of limbs and neck is considered to be the reason for this finding.

A Computational Procedure to Derive the Curve of Carus for Childbirth Computational Modeling.

Computational modeling serves an important role in childbirth-related research. Prescribed fetal descent trajectory is a key characteristic in childbirth simulations. Two major types of fully prescribed fetal descent trajectories can be identified in the literature: straight descent trajectories and curve of Carus. The straight descent trajectory has the advantage of being simpler and can serve as a reasonable approximation for relatively small fetal movements during labor, but it cannot be used to simulate the entire childbirth process. The curve of Carus is the well-recognized fetal descent trajectory with physiological significance. However, no detailed procedure to geometrically define the curve of Carus can be found in existing computational studies. This status of curve of Carus simulation in the literature hinders the direct comparison of results across different studies and the advancement of computational techniques built upon previous research. The goals of this study are: (1) propose a universal approach to derive the curve of Carus for the second stage of labor, from the point when the fetal head engages the pelvis to the point when the fetal head is fully delivered; and (2) demonstrate its utility when considering various fetal head sizes. The current study provides a detailed formulation of the curve of Carus, considering geometries of both the mother and the fetus. The maternal geometries were obtained from MRI data, and the fetal head geometries were based on laser scanning of a replica of a real fetal head.

Influência das fases da lua na ocorrência do parto de cadelas e gatas / Influence of the moon phases on the occurrence of parturition in bitches and cats / Influencia de las fases lunares en la aparición del parto en perras y gatas

A Lua é o satélite natural da Terra e sua participação em diversos aspectos da sociedade tem sido descrito há muitos anos. Nesse quesito, existe uma crença popular que afirma que esse astro possui influência direta sobre o ciclo reprodutivo de diversas espécies. Baseado nisso, estudos averiguaram que as mulheres apresentam maior número de partos durante determinadas fases da Lua. Porém, não há trabalhos com relação a estes aspectos na reprodução de pequenos animais. Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi verificar se as fases da Lua influenciam no parto de cadelas e gatas. Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo coletando-se os dados de 100 fêmeas que passaram por acompanhamento gestacional no hospital veterinário da instituição. Utilizou-se a data do parto para posterior classificação da fase da Lua correspondente, bem como se o parto ocorreu em uma mudança de fase da Lua. Obteve-se maior incidência de partos durante a Lua crescente (porém sem significância estatística) e na transição entre as fases da Lua. Assim, conclui-se que a influência da Lua sobre os partos de pequenos animais ainda é uma incógnita, devendo-se considerar outros fatores para identificar se essa relação existe.

The Moon is the Earth's natural satellite and its participation in various aspects of society has been described for many years. In this regard, there is a popular belief that this star has a direct influence on the reproductive cycle of various species. Based on this, studies have shown that women give birth more often during certain phases of the Moon. However, there are no studies that analyze this in the reproduction of small animals. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify whether the moon phases influence births in female dogs and cats. A retrospective study was carried out, collecting data from 100 females that underwent gestational monitoring at the veterinary hospital of the institution. The date of parturition was used for further classification of the corresponding Moon phase, as well as whether the parturition occurred during a Moon phase change. We found a higher incidence of births during a crescent Moon (but without statistical significance) and during the transition between Moon phases. Thus, we conclude that the influence of the Moon on births in small animals is still unknown, and other factors should be considered to identify if this relationship exists.

La Luna es el satélite natural de la Tierra y desde hace muchos años se ha descrito su participación en diversos aspectos de la sociedad. Existe la creencia popular de que la Luna influye directamente en el ciclo reproductivo de varias especies. Basándose en ello, algunos estudios han demostrado que las mujeres dan a luz con más frecuencia durante determinadas fases de la Luna. Sin embargo, no existen estudios que analicen este hecho en la reproducción de pequeños animales. Así, el objetivo de este estudio fue comprobar si las fases lunares influyen en el nacimiento de perras y gatitos. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo recogiendo los datos de 100 hembras que se sometieron a seguimiento gestacional en el hospital veterinario de la institución. La fecha del parto se utilizó para clasificar posteriormente la fase lunar correspondiente, así como si el parto se produjo durante un cambio de fase lunar. Se obtuvo una mayor incidencia de partos durante la luna creciente (pero sin significación estadística) y durante la transición entre fases lunares. Por lo tanto, se puede concluir que la influencia de la Luna en los partos en pequeños animales es aún desconocida y que deben considerarse otros factores para identificar si existe esta relación.

Progesterone withdrawal and parturition.

The steroid hormone progesterone (P4), acting via the nuclear P4 receptors (PRs) in uterine cells, is essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. P4/PR signaling maintains pregnancy by promoting uterine quiescence and blocking the contractions of labor. Withdrawal of the P4/PR block to labor induces parturition. The success of pregnancy requires the timely birth of a mature neonate to a healthy mother, and to this end, the mechanism by which the P4/PR block is withdrawn, and how that process is physiologically controlled is critical. This review examines current understanding of cell and molecular biology of P4/PR withdrawal in the control of parturition.

Increase of skin temperature prior to parturition in mares.

Prediction of impending foaling is highly desirable as early intervention may improve mare and foal outcomes. However, monitoring the peripartum mare is a time-consuming challenge for breeders and many foaling prediction systems have limitations. "Heating up" of the mare is empirically used by breeders as a sign of upcoming parturition in mares. The purpose of this study was to investigate if an increase in skin temperature shortly before parturition is detectable and to determine whether such physiological changes could be an additional valuable parameter to predict foaling. For that, 56 foalings of 14 Warmblood mares, 5 Arabian mares, 27 Thoroughbred mares, and 2 mares of other breeds were analyzed in this 2-year-study. Eight mares were monitored in both years. Mares were between 4 and 22 years old (average: 10 ± 5.5 years) and the mean pregnancy length was 342 days (±9 days), resulting in 14 births from primiparous mares and 42 multiparous mares. For monitoring the periparturient mares, the Piavet® system (Piavita AG, Zurich, Switzerland) was fixed daily when the mares had returned from the field between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. and collected the next morning between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. until the time of foaling. Nocturnal rhythms of the skin temperature with the highest values at the start of measurements and a nadir at 6:00 a.m. were observed. On the foaling night, we found a rise in skin temperature starting on average around 90 min prepartum. Skin temperatures recorded at 50 min before parturition and at each 5 min time point until rupture of the allantochorion were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the mean temperatures measured in the 5 nights before parturition at the same time, reaching a difference of approximately 0.5 °C. There was a significant effect of parity (p = 0.04) on skin temperature during the last hours before foaling where primiparous mares showed a higher mean temperature than uni- or pluriparous mares as early as from 180 min on before parturition. In conclusion, our study shows an increase in skin temperature in most mares within 90 min before birth. Using new biomechanical and digital technologies, this finding could generate an additional potential parameter for the detection of impending parturition. However, skin temperature cannot be used as the only predictive diagnostic of impending parturition in the absence of other parameters.

MicroRNA profiling of subcutaneous adipose tissue in periparturient dairy cows at high or moderate body condition.

A growing body of evidence shows that microRNA (miRNA), play important roles in regulating adipose tissue (AT) physiology and function. The objective was to characterize the AT miRNA profile in over-conditioned (HBCS, n = 19) versus moderate-conditioned (MBCS, n = 19) periparturient dairy cows. Tail-head subcutaneous AT biopsied on d -49 and 21 relative to parturition were used for miRNA sequencing. The miR-486 was the most significant miRNA among the upregulated miRNA on d -49, which might be related to more pronounced changes in lipogenesis and altered insulin sensitivity in AT of HBCS cows at dry-off. Comparing HBCS to MBCS on d 21, 23 miRNA were downregulated and 20 were upregulated. The predicted targets of upregulated differentially expressed (DE)-miRNA on d 21 were enriched in different pathways, including pathways related to lysosomes and peroxisomes. The predicted targets of downregulated DE-miRNA on d 21 were enriched in various pathways, including epidermal growth factor receptor, insulin resistance, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway, and autophagy. The results showed that over-conditioning was associated with changes in SCAT miRNA profile mainly on d 21, of which most were downregulated. The enriched pathways may participate in over-conditioning-associated metabolic challenges during early lactation.

Addition of açai oil during the close-up dry period of Holstein cows improves colostrum quality and immune responses of their calves.

This study evaluated of the effects of açai oil during the close-up dry period of Holstein cows on colostrum quality, as well as on the immune and antioxidant responses of their calves. Sixteen multiparous cows were assigned randomly to two treatments: 1) CONTROL (n = 8) - 4.48% of soybean oil/concentrate; 2) AÇAI (n =8) - 4.48% of açai oil/concentrate. Cows fed with açai oil had greater (P≤0.04) colostrum concentrations of immunoglobulins (Ig) G (1st and 2nd milking), IgG heavy chains, IgA (only at 1st milking), alpha-lactalbumin (1st milking), total protein, and antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (only at 1st milking). Cows fed with açai oil had greater serum concentrations of globulin (only on the day of calving) and total protein (only on the day of calving) (P = 0.03). Calves born of cows fed with açai oil had greater serum concentrations of total protein (only 24 and 48 h after calving) and serum concentration of IgG heavy chain (only 24 h after calving) and globulin (only 24 and 48 h after calving) (P = 0.01). These data suggest that the addition of açai oil in the cow feed during the close-up dry period boosted immunity in their calves by altering the composition of colostrum.

Progesterone Receptor Signaling in the Uterus Is Essential for Pregnancy Success.

The uterus plays an essential role in the reproductive health of women and controls critical processes such as embryo implantation, placental development, parturition, and menstruation. Progesterone receptor (PR) regulates key aspects of the reproductive function of several mammalian species by directing the transcriptional program in response to progesterone (P4). P4/PR signaling controls endometrial receptivity and decidualization during early pregnancy and is critical for the establishment and outcome of a successful pregnancy. PR is also essential throughout gestation and during labor, and it exerts critical roles in the myometrium, mainly by the specialized function of its two isoforms, progesterone receptor A (PR-A) and progesterone receptor B (PR-B), which display distinct and separate roles as regulators of transcription. This review summarizes recent studies related to the roles of PR function in the decidua and myometrial tissues. We discuss how PR acquired key features in placental mammals that resulted in a highly specialized and dynamic role in the decidua. We also summarize recent literature that evaluates the myometrial PR-A/PR-B ratio at parturition and discuss the efficacy of current treatment options for preterm birth.

A Qualitative Study of US Women's Perspectives on Confidence for Physiologic Birth in the Birth Center Model of Prenatal Care.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of the components of the US birth center model of prenatal care and how the birth center prenatal care model contributes to birthing people's confidence for physiologic childbirth. METHODS: This was a qualitative descriptive study using semistructured interviews with individuals who gave birth in freestanding birth centers. Birthing people were recruited from freestanding birth centers in a Midwestern US state and were between the ages of 18 and 42, were English-speaking, and had experienced a birth center birth within the previous 6 months. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Glaser's constant comparative method. RESULTS: Twelve women who gave birth in birth centers, representing urban and rural settings, participated. Four core categories were identified encompassing the components of birth center prenatal care and how the birth center model contributes to women's confidence for physiologic birth: birth center culture and processes, midwifery model of care within the birth center, internal influences, and outside influences. DISCUSSION: Women who gave birth in birth centers believed that the birth center culture and environment, the midwifery model of care in the birth center, internal influences including the belief that birth is a normal physiologic process, and outside influences including family support and positive birth stories contributed to their confidence for physiologic birth.

Manifestations, responses, and consequences of mistreatment of sick newborns and young infants and their parents in health facilities in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Despite efforts to incorporate experience of care for women and newborns in global quality standards, there are limited efforts to understand experience of care for sick newborns and young infants. This paper describes the manifestations, responses, and consequences of mistreatment of sick young infants (SYIs), drivers, and parental responses in hospital settings in Kenya. METHODS: A qualitative formative study to inform the development of strategies for promoting family engagement and respectful care of SYI was conducted in five facilities in Kenya. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with providers and policy makers (n = 35) and parents (n = 25), focus group discussions with women and men (n = 12 groups), and ethnographic observations in each hospital (n = 64 observation sessions). Transcribed data were organized using Nvivo 12 software and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: We identified 5 categories of mistreatment: 1) health system conditions and constraints, including a) failure to meet professional standards, b) delayed provision of care; and c) limited provider skills; 2) stigma and discrimination, due to provider perception of personal hygiene or medical condition, and patient feelings of abandonment; 3) physically inappropriate care, including providers taking blood samples and inserting intravenous lines and nasogastric tubes in a rough manner; or parents being pressured to forcefully feed infants or share unsterile feeding cups to avoid providers' anger; 4) poor parental-provider rapport, expressed as ineffective communication, verbal abuse, perceived disinterest, and non-consented care; and 5) no organized form of bereavement and posthumous care in the case of infant's death. Parental responses to mistreatment were acquiescent or non-confrontational and included feeling humiliated or accepting the situation. Assertive responses were rare but included articulating disappointment by expressing anger, and/or deciding to seek care elsewhere. CONCLUSION: Mistreatment for SYIs is linked to poor quality of care. To address mistreatment in SYI, interventions that focus on building better communication, responding to the developmental needs of infants and emotional needs for parents, strengthen providers competencies in newborn care, as well as a supportive, enabling environments, will lead to more respectful quality care for newborns and young infants.