Development and Clinical Evaluation of a Standardized Cervical Thermal Application Protocol for Incomplete Cervical Dilation in Buffaloes
Uttam Kumar Sahu
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India.
Brijesh Kumar *
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India.
Anurag Patel
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India.
Mayank Singh Baghel
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India.
Mahima Porwal
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India.
Athidi Lokavya Reddy
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India and College of Veterinary Science, Korutla, P. V. Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Telangana, 505325, India.
Praveen Kumar
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India.
Pratyanshu Srivastava
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India.
Vandana
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Hazaribagh, 825405, Jharkhand, India.
Laxmi Sahu
Livestock Production & management, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry Anjora, Durg, Chhattisgarh, 491001, India.
M. H. Khan
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India.
S. K. Singh
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Incomplete cervical dilation (ICD) is a significant maternal cause of dystocia in buffaloes, often resulting in prolonged labor and increased obstetrical intervention despite conventional pharmacological therapy. The present study aimed to develop and clinically evaluate a standardized cervical thermal application protocol as an adjunct to routine cervical relaxation therapy in buffaloes affected with ICD. Twenty full-term buffaloes diagnosed with ICD were enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial and allocated to Control (n = 10) and Thermal Intervention (n = 10) groups. Both groups received a standardized cervical relaxation regimen consisting of cloprostenol, dexamethasone, estradiol benzoate, valethamate bromide, and supportive intravenous fluids. The intervention group additionally received a standardized cervical thermal application using 2% carboxymethyl cellulose–soaked gauze maintained at 45–50°C for 20–25 minutes. The primary outcome was time to complete cervical dilation. Mean time to complete dilation was significantly shorter in the Thermal Intervention group (19.2 ± 1.3 h) compared with the Control group (29.4 ± 1.7 h; P < 0.01), representing an approximate 35% reduction. Cervical dilation scores at 2 and 4 hours were significantly higher in the intervention group (P < 0.05), and fewer cases required assisted delivery without evidence of maternal or neonatal complications. However, the study was limited by a modest sample size and the absence of direct mechanistic evaluation of cervical tissue remodeling. The standardized cervical thermal application protocol demonstrated clinical efficacy as a safe and reproducible adjunct intervention in buffaloes with ICD.
Keywords: Buffalo, cervical ripening, dystocia, incomplete cervical dilation, obstetrics, thermal therapy