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Updated: Aug 15, 2025
Noninvasive Electrocardiography in the Perinatal Mouse
Published on: June 12, 2020
Comparative study of electrocardiographic parameters in calves born after eutocia versus dystocia
Julia Nowak1, Jessica Joerling2, Marlene Sickinger2
1Clinic for Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Andrology for Large and Small Animals with Ambulance Service, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Frankfurter Straße 106, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
Background And Aim:
The mortality rate of perinatal calves is high, particularly in dystocia cases. Besides detectable conditions such as trauma or amniotic fluid aspiration, the potential salience of cardiological diseases in neonatal bovine deaths has received little attention. This study aimed to compare the electrocardiographic parameters of calves born under conditions of dystocia and eutocia.
Materials And Methods:
Electrocardiographic, clinical, and laboratory diagnostic examinations were performed during the first 5 days of life on 40 calves. Of them, 20 calves were born under conditions of dystocia and 20 of eutocia.
Results:
Electrocardiograms (ECGs) did not show detectable arrhythmias in all calves. Both groups exhibited tachycardia on their first ECGs. The QT and ST interval durations developed differently over time in both groups, suggesting that these may be related to conditions of birth.
Conclusion:
The electrocardiographic differences between calves born of dystocia and eutocia could be a factor in the increased mortality rate of calves born of dystocia.
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