Increased incidence of peri-parturient problems in ewes with pregnancy toxaemia

•Duration of pregnancy was shorter in ewes with pregnancy toxaemia.•Ewes with toxaemia developed more frequently obstetrical problems.•Lambs of ewes with toxaemia had increased mortality.

In total, 16 ewes with pregnancy toxaemia and 12 healthy animals were monitored for peri-parturient problems (dystocia, perinatal death of offspring, post-partum genital disorders). Mean duration of pregnancy was significantly shorter in ewes with pregnancy toxaemia (145.75 days) than in healthy animals (148.42 days) (P < 0.001). In all cases, comparison between ewes with pregnancy toxaemia and healthy animals revealed a significantly higher incidence of peri-parturient problems in the former animals. Incidence of dystocia (mainly expulsive deficiency, likely as the consequence of primary uterine inertia) was 0.500 in ewes with pregnancy toxaemia and 0.083 in healthy animals (P = 0.01), incidence of perinatal mortality of offspring was 0.375 in the former animals and 0.083 in the latter (P = 0.039) and incidence of post-partum genital disorders was 0.250 and 0.000, respectively (P = 0.031). Finally, mean blood concentration of β-hydroxybutyrate at the end of gestation was higher in ewes that developed dystocia (3.71 mmol L−1) or post-partum genital disorders (3.90 mmol L−1) than in ewes that did not (1.91 mmol L−1 and 2.18 mmol L−1, respectively; P = 0.003 and P = 0.094).