Comparative analysis of the birth process and maternal-offspring interactions in bitches raised under different environmental conditions

Yavuzkan Paksoy; Ömer Aykul; Duygu Arslan; Gökhan Bozkurt; Ismaıl Kocaer

doi:10.33988/auvfd.1637842

Comparative analysis of the birth process and maternal-offspring interactions in bitches raised under different environmental conditions

Abstract

Pregnancy, parturition, and the postpartum period are critical stages in dog breeding that are significantly influenced by environmental factors. This study aimed to investigate how different birthing environments (home and farm) affect gestation duration, birth dynamics, and interactions between mothers and their offspring in small and medium breed dogs. A total of 68 pregnant bitches were included in the study, with 50 giving birth in a home environment (Group 1, G1) and 18 in a farm environment (Group 2, G2). Parameters such as birth weight, gestation length, neonatal mortality within the first 48 hours, duration of labor, time to first maternal licking, and time to first nursing were evaluated. The results indicated that bitches in G1 had a significantly shorter gestation period (P=0.021) and a higher incidence of dystocia (28%), whereas no cases of dystocia were observed in G2. Moreover, significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the time to first maternal licking and first nursing (P<0.05). The neonatal mortality rate was higher among G2 puppies (16.36%) compared to G1 puppies (3.60%). These findings highlight the impact of environmental conditions and human intervention on parturition dynamics and maternal-neonatal interactions. Long-term studies may provide further insights into optimizing birth management strategies for improved reproductive outcomes in dogs.

Keywords

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Animal Science, Genetics and Biostatistics, Veterinary Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Yavuzkan Paksoy ^*
0000-0002-0935-7693
Türkiye

Ömer Aykul
0009-0008-5382-3226
Türkiye

Duygu Arslan
0009-0000-9803-5452
Türkiye

Gökhan Bozkurt
0000-0003-1837-4492
Türkiye

Ismaıl Kocaer
0009-0007-5387-0375
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

September 7, 2025

Publication Date

October 1, 2025

Submission Date

February 11, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 72 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1637842

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA79ET97GU

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Paksoy, Y., Aykul, Ö., Arslan, D., Bozkurt, G., & Kocaer, I. (2025). Comparative analysis of the birth process and maternal-offspring interactions in bitches raised under different environmental conditions. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 72(4), 529-536. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1637842

AMA

1.Paksoy Y, Aykul Ö, Arslan D, Bozkurt G, Kocaer I. Comparative analysis of the birth process and maternal-offspring interactions in bitches raised under different environmental conditions. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2025;72(4):529-536. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1637842

Chicago

Paksoy, Yavuzkan, Ömer Aykul, Duygu Arslan, Gökhan Bozkurt, and Ismaıl Kocaer. 2025. “Comparative Analysis of the Birth Process and Maternal-Offspring Interactions in Bitches Raised under Different Environmental Conditions”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 72 (4): 529-36. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1637842.

EndNote

Paksoy Y, Aykul Ö, Arslan D, Bozkurt G, Kocaer I (October 1, 2025) Comparative analysis of the birth process and maternal-offspring interactions in bitches raised under different environmental conditions. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 72 4 529–536.

IEEE

[1]Y. Paksoy, Ö. Aykul, D. Arslan, G. Bozkurt, and I. Kocaer, “Comparative analysis of the birth process and maternal-offspring interactions in bitches raised under different environmental conditions”, Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, vol. 72, no. 4, pp. 529–536, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.33988/auvfd.1637842.

ISNAD

Paksoy, Yavuzkan - Aykul, Ömer - Arslan, Duygu - Bozkurt, Gökhan - Kocaer, Ismaıl. “Comparative Analysis of the Birth Process and Maternal-Offspring Interactions in Bitches Raised under Different Environmental Conditions”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 72/4 (October 1, 2025): 529-536. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1637842.

JAMA

1.Paksoy Y, Aykul Ö, Arslan D, Bozkurt G, Kocaer I. Comparative analysis of the birth process and maternal-offspring interactions in bitches raised under different environmental conditions. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2025;72:529–536.

MLA

Paksoy, Yavuzkan, et al. “Comparative Analysis of the Birth Process and Maternal-Offspring Interactions in Bitches Raised under Different Environmental Conditions”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 72, no. 4, Oct. 2025, pp. 529-36, doi:10.33988/auvfd.1637842.

Vancouver

1.Yavuzkan Paksoy, Ömer Aykul, Duygu Arslan, Gökhan Bozkurt, Ismaıl Kocaer. Comparative analysis of the birth process and maternal-offspring interactions in bitches raised under different environmental conditions. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2025 Oct. 1;72(4):529-36. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1637842