# Impact of Delivery Method on Serum Cortisol Levels and Neonatal Outcomes in Canine Cesarean Sections

## TL;DR

This study found that elective cesarean sections in dogs lead to higher cortisol levels in puppies compared to emergency cesareans, suggesting differences in stress responses.

## Contribution

The study reveals new insights into how delivery method affects neonatal stress markers in dogs, contrasting with previous findings.

## Key findings

- Elective cesarean puppies had higher amniotic fluid cortisol levels than therapeutic cesarean puppies.
- Neonatal Apgar scores were higher for elective cesarean puppies compared to therapeutic cesarean puppies.
- Meconium presence in amniotic fluid was not significantly linked to distress markers.

## Abstract

This study evaluated pregnant dogs undergoing cesarean sections, comparing cortisol levels in amniotic fluid between elective and therapeutic procedures. Higher cortisol was found in pups from elective cesareans compared to therapeutic c-sections. No link was observed between meconium presence and distress markers. Findings highlighted complex physiological responses and the importance of maternal and neonatal stress assessment to improve care strategies.

In this study, thirty female dogs, aged one to five years and varying in weight, in the last week of gestation were evaluated. The animals were divided into two groups: GC, which comprised twenty-two bitches undergoing elective cesarean section, and GD, which consisted of eight dogs requiring therapeutic cesarean section as a treatment to dystocia. We found that cortisol levels in the amniotic fluid were significantly higher in pups delivered via elective cesareans (mean: 9.86 ng/mL) compared to those from therapeutic c-sections (mean: 4.11 ng/mL). This observation contrasted with previous studies that reported lower cortisol levels in elective procedures, suggesting complexities in the physiological responses to different delivery methods that warrant further investigation. Notably, our study observed no significant association between amniotic fluid meconium presence and other distress markers, indicating that meconium may be more closely associated with fetal maturation rather than distress (p > 0.05). Neonatal viability (Apgar score) revealed that 92.86% of the neonates from elective procedures demonstrated no distress shortly after delivery, contrasting with 56.25% in therapeutic c-section. Fetal distress can be a direct consequence of dystocia caused by various stressors, such as pain and hypoxia. These factors can impair the fetus’ ability to adapt to extrauterine life, often leading to lower Apgar scores. Notably, neonatal weight was directly related to fetal cortisol levels, while no significant associations were noted between the litter size or birth order and cortisol concentrations, irrespective of the delivery type. These findings underscore the need for ongoing investigation into the relationships between cesarean delivery types, maternal and neonatal stress markers, and resultant health outcomes, aiming to enhance care strategies for expectant canine mothers and their puppies.