scholarly journals Twins in Dairy Herds. Is It Better to Maintain or Reduce a Pregnancy?

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando López-Gatius

Multiple ovulations and so multiple pregnancies have increased recently in dairy cattle. The incidence of the double ovulation impact in high producers at insemination may be over 20%. Twin pregnancies are undesirable as they seriously compromise the welfare and productive lifespan of the cow and herd economy. Clinical problems extend from the time of pregnancy diagnosis to pregnancy loss, abortion or parturition. Early pregnancy loss or abortion of multiple pregnancies lead in most cases to culling. In cows reaching their term, mean productive lifespan is up to about 300 days shorter for cows delivering twins than for cows delivering singletons. While there is an urgent need to address multiple pregnancy prevention procedures in the foreseeable future, the incidence of twin pregnancies continues to rise in parallel with increased milk production. Herein, we review two contrasting measures proposed for the time of twin pregnancy diagnosis: (1) gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment for pregnancy maintenance, or (2) embryo reduction. These options are discussed in terms of their implications for individual animal health and herd economy. Our main conclusions find that manual twin reduction has proven to be the best management option, whereas the use of prostaglandin F2α for inducing abortion may be a better option than doing nothing.

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 678-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Davies ◽  
A. R. Rumbold ◽  
M. J. Whitrow ◽  
K. J. Willson ◽  
W. K. Scheil ◽  
...  

The study of very early pregnancy loss is impractical in the general population, but possible amongst infertility patients receiving carefully monitored treatments. We examined the association between fetal loss and the risk of birth defects in the surviving co-twin in a retrospective cohort study of infertility patients within an infertility clinic in South Australia from January 1986 to December 2002, linked to population registries for births, terminations and birth defects. The study population consisted of a total of 5683 births. Births from singleton pregnancies without loss were compared with survivors from (1) pregnancies with an empty fetal sac at 6–8 weeks after embryo transfer, (2) fetal loss subsequent to 8-week ultrasound and (3) multiple pregnancy continuing to birth. Odds ratios (OR) for birth defects were calculated with adjustment for confounders. Amongst infertility patients, the prevalence of birth defects was 7.9% for all twin pregnancies without fetal loss compared with 14.6% in pregnancies in which there had been an empty sac at ultrasound, and 11.6% for pregnancies with fetal loss after 6–8 weeks. Compared with singleton pregnancies without loss, the presence of an empty sac was associated with an increased risk of any defect (OR=1.90, 95% confidence intervals (CI)=1.09–3.30) and with multiple defects (OR=2.87, 95% CI=1.31–6.28). Twin pregnancies continuing to birth without loss were not associated with an overall increased prevalence of defects. We conclude that the observed loss of a co-twin by 6–8 weeks of pregnancy is related to the risk of major birth defects in the survivor.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2165
Author(s):  
Fernando López-Gatius ◽  
Irina Garcia-Ispierto ◽  
Ronald H. F. Hunter

Multiple pregnancies have devastating consequences on the herd economy of dairy cattle. This observational study examines incidence patterns based on data from the ultrasonographic examination of 1130 multiple pregnancies in cows in their third lactation or more carrying twins (98.8%), triplets (1.1%), or quadruplets (0.08%), and 3160 of their peers carrying singletons. Cows became pregnant following a spontaneous estrus with no previous hormone treatments. Irrespective of a significant decrease (p < 0.0001) in the conception rate (28–34 days post-insemination) during the warm period of the year, the multiple pregnancy rate was similar for both warm (26.5%) and cool (26.3%) periods. The incidence of unilateral multiple pregnancies (all embryos in the same uterine horn) was higher than that of bilateral pregnancies (at least one embryo in each uterine horn): 54.4% versus 45.6% (p < 0.0001). This difference rose to 17% during the warm season (p = 0.03). Pregnancy was monitored in unilateral multiple pregnancies until abortion or parturition (n = 615). In the warm period, the parturition rate was 43% compared to 61% recorded in the cool period (p < 0.0001). Thus, a warm climate is the main factor compromising the fate of multiple pregnancies. Some clinical suggestions are provided.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
L. C. Carrenho-Sala ◽  
A. Garcia-Guerra ◽  
R. V. Sala ◽  
M. Fosado ◽  
D. C. Pereira ◽  
...  

Fertility of in vitro-produced embryos is affected by embryo stage and quality. Embryos quality 1 and stage 7 result in higher fertility than embryos of earlier stages and/or lower quality. The objective was to evaluate the effect of unilateral and bilateral transfer of 2 in vitro-produced embryos of earlier stages and/or poor quality on fertility. Heifers were synchronized using a 5-day CIDR Synch or 2 prostaglandin F2α injections 14 days apart followed by oestrus detection. Embryo transfer was performed 7 ± 1 day after gonadotropin-releasing hormone/oestrus and heifers were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 groups: single embryo ipsilateral to the corpus luteum (single; n = 188); 2 embryos in the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum (unilateral; n = 138); 2 embryos bilaterally (bilateral; n = 128). Embryos stage 4 to 8 and quality 1 or 2 were randomly assigned to treatment groups. All embryos were 7-day fresh in vitro-produced embryos, and pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography on Days 32 and 60. Data were analysed by logistic regression. Conception rates on Days 32 and 60 were not different (P > 0.10) between heifers receiving a single embryo [Day 32 = 30.9% (58/188) and Day 60 = 25% (47/188)] or those receiving 2 embryos [Day 32 = 36.5% (97/266) and Day 60 = 22.2% (59/266)]. However, pregnancy loss between Days 32 and 60 was greater (P < 0.01) in heifers with 2 embryos (39.2%; 38/97) than in those with a single embryo (18.9%; 11/58). Conception rate on Day 32 was not different between groups (P = 0.4) and was 30.9% (58/188) for single, 36.9% (51/138) for unilateral, and 35.9% (46/128) for bilateral. Similarly, there was no difference (P = 0.8) in conception rates on Day 60, single = 25% (47/188), unilateral = 23.9% (33/138), and bilateral= 20.3% (26/128). However, there was an effect of group on pregnancy loss between Days 32 and 60 (P = 0.04). Losses were higher (P = 0.01) in the bilateral group [43.5% (20/46)] compared with the single group [18.9% (11/58)], and the unilateral group was intermediate [35.3% (18/51)] and tended to be different from the single group (P = 0.1). Interestingly, when pregnancy loss was compared between heifers with twin or single pregnancies, as determined by ultrasonography, and regardless of the number of embryos transferred or their location, twin pregnancies had a greater pregnancy loss [62.1% (18/29)] compared with single pregnancies [24.6% (31/126); P < 0.01]. For twin bearing heifers, as determined by ultrasonography on Day 32, pregnancy loss did not differ between unilateral (62.5%; 10/16) and bilateral (61.5%; 8/13) transfers (P = 0.9). Similarly, there was no difference (P = 0.2) for heifers with single embryo pregnancies: single (18.9%; 11/58), unilateral (22.9%; 8/35), bilateral (36.4%; 12/33), although bilateral transfer of 2 embryos tended to be higher than single (P = 0.07). Transfer of 2 low quality in vitro-produced embryos results in similar conception rates, although pregnancy losses are greater. Interestingly, only 30% (29/97) of the pregnancies from heifers that received 2 embryos contained twins, indicating the loss of one of the embryos before Day 32. Furthermore, the increased losses observed with the transfer of 2 embryos were attributed to those heifers in which twin pregnancies were diagnosed on Day 32 regardless of distribution.


Author(s):  
Bonnie Steinbock

Multiple births are an unfortunate consequence of assisted reproductive technology, causing risks to both fetuses and pregnant women. The central ethical issue raised by multiple pregnancy is the conflict between the fertility patient’s desire to get pregnant and the increased risks to offspring. Although extreme cases in which many embryos are transferred to the woman’s uterus are very rare—and represent negligence—twin pregnancies are still common. Many women undergoing fertility treatment reportedly express a preference for twin pregnancies to reduce the costs and risks of the procedure while increasing their opportunities for having more than one child. However, risks to the offspring are significant and underappreciated, including prematurity, low birth weight, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities. Even though many multiple pregnancies result in good outcomes, the ethical question is whether the risks are justifiable in order to improve the chances of pregnancy when transfer of a singleton embryo is an available alternative.


Author(s):  
Joana Sousa Nunes ◽  
Mário Sousa ◽  
Nuno Montenegro ◽  
Alexandra Matias

Abstract Objective The purpose of the present study was to analyze the influence of chorionicity in the biometric parameters crown-rump length (CRL), birthweight (BW), crown-rump length discordancy (CRLD) and birthweight discordancy (BWD), determine the correlation between these latter two in cases of intertwin discordancy, and to analyze the influence of chronicity in the presence of these discordancies with clinical relevance (> 10% and > 15%, respectively). Methods The present study was a retrospective study based on the twin pregnancy database of the Centro Hospitalar S. João (2010–2015), including 486 fetuses among 66 monochorionic (MC) and 177 dichorionic gestations (DC). The inclusion criteria were multiple pregnancies with 2 fetuses and healthy twin gestations. The exclusion criteria were trichorionic gestations and pregnancies with inconclusive chorionicity, multiple pregnancy with ≥ 3 fetuses and pathological twin gestations. Results No statistically significant difference was found in BW (p = 0.09) and in its discordancy (p = 0.06) nor in CRL (p = 0.48) and its discordancy (p = 0.74) between MCs and DCs. Crown-rump length discordancy and birthweight discordancy were correlated by the regression line “BWD = 0.8864 x CRLD + 0.0743,” with r2  = 0.1599. Crown-rump length discordancy > 10% was found in 7.58% of monochorionic and in 13.56% of dichorionic twins. Birthweight discordancy > 15% was detected in 16.67% of monochorionic and in 31.64% of dichorionic twins. Conclusion No statistically significant influence of chorionicity was identified in both birthweight and birthweight discordancy, as in crown-rump length and crown-rump length discordancy. Birthweight discordancy was correlated to crown-rump length discordancy in 20% of cases.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selda Demircan Sezer ◽  
Mert Küçük ◽  
Hasan Yüksel ◽  
Ali Riza Odabaşi ◽  
Münevver Türkmen ◽  
...  

This study was conducted for the purpose of assessing, in the light of results of other research carried out in the present researchers' clinic and in Turkey, the status of twin pregnancies in Turkey, the incidence of twin births, perinatal and mortality rates associated with twin pregnancies, and the problems experienced in Turkey in cases of multiple and twin pregnancies.Materials and Methodology:The outcomes of twin births that occurred at the researchers' clinic during the period 2001–2009 were studied retrospectively. Seventeen studies conducted in Turkey on multiple and twin pregnancies during the years 1991–2010 were included in the study.Findings:It was observed that the mean multiple pregnancy rate in Turkey is 1.9% and the mean twin birth rate is 1.7%. It was also observed that a large majority (80–97.3%) of multiple pregnancies in Turkey are twin pregnancies. It was noted from Turkish literature that the mean gestational age of twins at birth varies between 33–36.2 weeks and that mean birthweights are 2065–2327 grams for the first-born twin and 1887–2262 grams for the second-born. These findings were observed to be lower than what is indicated in the literature. Perinatal and neonatal mortality, at 58–156/1000 and 40–98/1000 respectively, were seen to be higher than in the literature.Conclusion:It can be seen that preterm birth rates for twin pregnancies in Turkey are higher than what is indicated in the literature and that prenatal and neonatal mortality rates are also similarly higher.


1993 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P Neilson ◽  
Caroline A Crowther

Multiple pregnancy is associated with a high rate of perinatal loss – mainly due to preterm labour but with important contributions from fetal malformation, intrauterine growth retardation and twin-twin transfusion syndrome. The overall perinatal mortality rate is consistently around six times that of singleton pregnancies but the rate rises progressively with the number of fetuses. Rates of 63,164,200,214 and 416 per 1000 births have been recently reported for twins, triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets and sextuplets respectively. In addition to these alarming figures, it should be emphasized that the restricted concept of perinatal mortality obscures the real extent of loss. If we include late abortion (after 20 weeks), late neonatal deaths and deaths in infancy from perinatal causes, as well as the usual indices of perinatal mortality (stillbirths and early neonatal deaths) we find that the total loss rate from twin pregnancy alone doubles and may be close to 10%. Although the rate of loss from multiple pregnancies is now substantially higher than that associated with the pregnancies of diabetic women, the challenge of multiple pregnancy has not been met with the same commitment or organisation of specialized perinatal services as has diabetes.


2018 ◽  
pp. 67-73
Author(s):  
T.G. Romanenko ◽  
◽  
O.M. Sulimenko ◽  
S.O. Ovcharenko ◽  
◽  
...  

The objective: conduct a comparative clinical and statistical analysis of obstetric and perinatal complications in singleton and multiple pregnancies after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) according to archival documents (pregnancy observation data and birth history) and identify features of multiple pregnancy. Materials and methods. During the period 2017–2019, 522 women gave birth in maternity hospital «Leleka» after assisted reproductive technologies, 331 women were observed in the maternity hospital «Leleka». 445 women gave birth with a singleton pregnancy and 77 with a multiple pregnancy. A clinical and statistical analysis of 150 pregnancy and childbirth histories was performed. All pregnant women were divided into two groups: Group I – 75 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies after ART; Group II – 75 pregnant women with multiple pregnancies after ART. The selection criteria for comparative clinical and statistical analysis were women whose pregnancies occurred as a result of ART, namely by in vitro fertilization (IVF) using five-day frozen embryos. Mathematical research methods were performed in accordance with the recommendations of O.P. Minzer (2013). The reliability of the cancellation of the mean pairs was calculated using the Student’s and Fisher’s criteria. Graphs were designed using the program «Microsoft Excel». Results. Complications of early pregnancy in multiple pregnancies were: anemia (47.8% vs. 22.9%; p<0.01), placental dysfunction (43.3% vs. 22.9%; p<0.01), the threat of abortion (41.8% vs. 28.6%; p<0.01). Complications of the second half of pregnancy: preeclampsia (52.7% vs. 20.6%; p<0.01), fetal growth retardation (20.0% vs. 7.4%; p<0.01), gestational anemia (76,4% vs. 32.4%; p<0.01), placental dysfunction (47.3% vs. 22.1%; p<0.05). Complications in childbirth in women with multiple pregnancies were as follows: premature rupture of membranes (30.9% vs. 10.3%; p<0.05), anomalies of labor activity (16.4% vs. 5.9%; p>0.05), fetal distress (29.1% vs. 14.7%; p<0.05), premature placental abruption (3.6% vs. the absence of this indicator in group I). In patients of group II with multiple pregnancies 3.7 times more often the pregnancy ended prematurely compared with singleton (21.8% vs. 5.9%; p<0.05). Early preterm births predominated, of which births occurred in 3.6% of cases at 22–28 weeks, 7.3% at 28–32 weeks, and 6.4% at 32–34 weeks. Significant increase in the frequency of 32.7% of abdominal births in multiple pregnancies against 11.8% of patients in pregnancy with a single fetus (p<0.01). The structure of indications in patients of group II was as follows: severe preeclampsia 27.8%, development of fetal growth retardation and fetal distress of 11.1%, respectively, premature placental abruption 16.7%, the following single indications (pelvic presentation of the fetus, transverse or oblique position of the fetus, clinically narrow pelvis, abnormalities of labor, scar on the uterus) – 33.3%. Significant increase in the total frequency of neonatal asphyxia of varying severity in multiple pregnancies (35.0% vs. 5.9%; p<0.05), fetal growth retardation (27.3% vs. 11.8%; p<0.01). Conclusions. Multiple pregnancies are a high risk factor for gestational anemia, preeclampsia, placental dysfunction, early fetal growth retardation, and fetal distress during pregnancy and childbirth. This causes a high level of abdominal delivery. Therefore, further research to predict and prevent obstetric and perinatal complications in multiple pregnancies after ART is relevant today. Keywords: obstetric and perinatal complications of pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, assisted reproductive technologies.


1972 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. 22-26
Author(s):  
H. Skalba ◽  
R. Osuch-Jaczewska ◽  
O. Lempart ◽  
Z. Ochabska

The material covers 332 twin pregnancies (including 5 of triplets) of which 208 (62.7%) were premature deliveries and 124 (37.3%) deliveries at term.Of the twin pregnancies included in the group examined 15.7% developed complications (gestosis and eclampsia, kidney and heart diseases, anemia, hydramnios). Spontaneous deliveries were 66.7%, operative deliveries 33.3%. A high mortality of the second twin (13.1%) is noticeable and it increases to 21.4% when operative procedures are applied to the first twin.


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