Terminal fetal postures observed in a bovine caesarean survey

• Published in: Applied animal ethology Vol. 4; no. 4; pp. 315 - 322
• Main Authors: Fraser, A.F., Herchen, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.1978
• ISSN: 0304-3762
• DOI: 10.1016/0304-3762(78)90003-2

The posture of 1255 bovine fetuses was determined using a direct surgical examination. This caesarean survey examined the incidence of variable features, including fetal presentation, head posture and the arrangement of limbs. The fetuses had incidences of 86.8% with anterior presentation, 90.2% with head extension, 96.1% with extended forelimbs and 56.5% with extended hind limbs in posterior presentation. Pronation, with extension of the digits and carpal joints of the forelimbs, was predominant. Reduced responsiveness was recognized in varying degrees from the minor one of one flexed forelimb, to the major one of deflected head with both forelimbs flexed. Polarization of the fetus in the anterior presentation was usual. This occurred with highest incidence in the first pregnancy and with heavy, male fetuses. In the posterior presentation, female fetuses under 27 kg predominated and a high proportion of these were in “breech presentation”. The influence of the “trapping fold” of the uterine lesser curvature in assisting the fetus to secure polarity was considered to be evident in these data. Recognition has been given to the consequences of fetal kinesis, warranting its further study.