Abstract
Beluga whales have never successfully reproduced in captivity. Frances, a 600 lb., 9'8" beluga whale, was followed prior to and throughout her pregnancy. The fetal heart could not be heard by stethoscope or Doptone but enlargement of the uterus was demonstrated by sonography. Comparisons of the CBC, blood profile and clinical condition in the pregnant and non-pregnant state are reported. Near term the mother became clinically ill with an elevation of bilirubin, electrolytes, BUN, and SGOT. Urine showed 2+ protein, 4+ bile, 4+ urobilinogen and 4+ hemoglobin. Amniotic fluid obtained transvaginally was amber in color with a lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio of 5:1. After the mother failed to go into labor spontaneously, pitocin stimulation with 20 units of oxytocin resulted in rhythmic contractions of the left horn of the uterus. Six hours later the whale suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest which failed to respond to intravenous epinephrine and bicarbonate. Immediate cesarean section revealed a macerated fetus suggestive of a previous 24-48-hour demise. Autopsy revealed the mother to have acute fatty liver of pregnancy.
The baseline clinical, biochemical, and biophysical data presented in the pregnant and non-pregnant state - as well as the labor record under the influence of oxytocin should be helpful in evaluating other pregnant belugas, both diseased and healthy.
Note
Normal Beluga Whale Values
|
BUN
|
48-63 mg%
|
|
Cl
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120-122 meq/L
|
|
Cholesterol
|
185-250
|
|
CO2
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27-34
|
|
P
|
2.9-?
|
|
T.P.
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7-8.5 gm%
|
|
Albumin
|
1.5-4.6
|
|
Globulin
|
2.4-7
|
|
SGOT
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41-85
|
|
SGPT
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7-19U/ml
|
|
Na
|
148-152
|
|
Uric acid
|
0.2-1.7 mg%
|
|
Bilirubin
|
0.1-0.5
|
|
Ca++
|
7.5-10.0
|
This beluga whale refused food for awhile before calving. The vaginal opening contracted and expanded before commencement of labor. The BUN fell before term as occurs in the human. Hormone assays showed no estrogen or progesterone changes.
Amniocentesis was attempted without success after noting the enlarged uterus on sonography. Sonography revealed that the contents of the enlarged organ were consistent with amniotic fluid.
Oxytocin was used to stimulate the uterus after vaginal palpation revealed that the fetus was in the breach presentation (fluke first). The oxytocin stimulated contractions. The art of pregnancy diagnosis in cetaceans needs further study.
N.B. In Tursiops, labor should last no longer than two hours. If longer than two hours, something is wrong and the calf is usually stillborn.