EXTRAPOLATION OF GESTATIONAL CURVE AND WHELPING TIME IN BITCH
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Date
2022-01
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College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati
Abstract
To study extrapolation of gestational curve and determination of whelping time,
gestation period of six (6) crossbred bitches were divided into first, second and third
phases; planned to study on 0-day (day of mating), 10th , 20th , 30th , 40th , 50th day and on
the day of term or whelping. Different parameters of physical and behavioural signs, extrafoetal
and foetal structures, vaginal cytology and haematobiochemical parameters were
taken for the study.
The per cent mean of enlarged belly (50.00%) and enlarged udder and teats
(83.33%) were first found to be recorded from second phase, while, oozing of milk
(100.00%) and vulvar swelling (100.00%) were recorded on third phase of gestation,
respectively. The occurrence of reduced appetite, decreased activity, restlessness and
nesting behaviour of behavioural signs were found 100.00% on day of whelping.
Gestational Sac Diameter (GSD) was first recorded (02.17 ± 0.07 mm) on 20th day
of first phase of gestation. Inner Chorionic Cavity (ICC), Crown Rump Length (CRL) and
Foetal Head Diameter (FHD) was first recorded as 15.03 ± 0.27 mm, 12.98 ± 0.29 mm and
07.05 ± 0.09 mm, respectively on 30th day of second phase of gestation in crossbred bitch.
The FHD was increasing throughout phases of gestation and found 29.28 ± 1.11 mm
diameter on day of whelping. There was highly significant (P<0.01) difference between
groups, between day of gestation and between interaction groups x days of gestation.
The Foetal Heart Rate (FHR) was first recorded on 30th day of second phase of
gestation which was found 207.17 ± 4.93 beats/min. FHR was significantly (P<0.01)
differed between days; recorded 146.00 ± 7.52 beats/min on day of whelping.
On day of mating (0-day), the Large Intermediate and Superficial Keratinized cells
were recorded as 9.00 ± 0.52% and 91.00 ± 0.52%, respectively. On day of whelping,
highest (59.67 ± 0.56%) and lowest (2.67 ± 1.43%) values were recorded in case of Small
Intermediate cells and Superficial Keratinized cells. There was significant difference
(P<0.01) between types of cells on different days of first, second and third phase of
gestation. While between days of gestation no significant difference was found. Highly
significant (P<0.01) difference recorded in interaction between days of gestation x types of
cells.
Level of progesterone was increasing from 10th day of gestation (29.97 ± 0.54
ng/ml) which dropped on day of whelping to 1.66 ± 0.25 ng/ml. Relaxin level reduced on
10th day of gestation (0.39 ± 0.03 ng/ml) which then gradually was increasing till 50th day
of gestation (5.54 ± 0.39 ng/ml); on day of whelping recorded as 3.71 ±0.86 ng/ml. Both
progesterone and relaxin were significantly (P<0.01) differed between day of gestation in
crossbred bitches. There was highly significant (P<0.01) difference of C-Reactive Protein
between day of gestation. On day of whelping C-Reactive Protein was recorded as 11.62 ±
ABSTRACT
2.32 mg/L. There was significant (P< 0.01) difference between calcium and phosphorus;
significantly (P< 0.05) differed on each day of first, second and third phase of gestation.
But, non-significant difference recorded between days of gestation and in interaction
between minerals days of gestation. On day of whelping, level of calcium and
phosphorus was recorded as 10.21 ± 0.31 mg/L and 4.47 ± 0.31 mg/L, respectively.
Haemoglobin and glucose per cent was recorded on day of whelping as11.07 ± 0.54
gm/dl and 108.18 ± 2.90 mg/dl, respectively. The values were differed non-significantly
between days of gestation.
From this study it was concluded that pregnancy could be first confirmed based
on GSD and FHR, respectively by 20th and 30th day of first and second phase of
gestation. On day of whelping, examination of vaginal cytology revealed significantly
(P<0.05) increased Small Intermediate cells (SIC), while, Superficial Keratinized Cells
(SKC) significantly (P< 0.05) decreased. Level of progesterone and relaxin hormone
significantly (P<0.05) decreased on the day of whelping.