">THE
VALUE OF USING HOMEOPATHY
AT THE END OF GESTATION IN THE DOG AND PIG
Report
on two clinical trials
Y. GRANDMONTAGNE1 and A. RIAUCOURT2
1 LTP-Dolisos
- BP 20 - 51051 Reims Cedex France
2 Filiaporc-Dynal,
69, rue H. Le Vezouet BP 471 - 22 Loudéac Cedex France
1 - Introduction
2 - Study in Bitches
3 - Study in Sows
4 - References
In the last few years, there has been a trend towards increased use of homeopathy in animals. Treatment of this type has several advantages: the low cost of the treatment, efficacy against a variety of disorders, the absence of side effects... In farm animals (cattle, pigs, poultry ....) the improvement of production potential and the absence of residues following such treatment constitute two further major advantages.
In the specific context of birth, homeopathy can contribute to the welfare of the dam: these effects are apparent from the delivery conditions (quality, duration ...) and also to the growth potential and survival of the offspring. For some years, various authors have tested homeopathic dilutions around the time of delivery. Most of these studies have been carried out in farm animals because the intensive husbandry conditions which pertain are particularly suitable for experimental purposes, notably in making it possible to constitute various treatment groups within the same facility which are subject to the same conditions. Seifert (1987) has been able to demonstrate the value of rational homeopathic treatments in Mammitis-Metritis-Agalactia syndrome (particularly obvious efficacy with regard to the survival of piglets at weaning. Gavaret (1989) has tested the prenatal treatment of sows with Sulfur 9 CH and has demonstrated the beneficial effects on piglet growth. The clinical trials reported here were carried out, in one case in bitches and in the other in sows. Both studies evaluate homeopathic treatments administered to the dam during delivery.
2.1. PROTOCOL
2.1.1. Aim of the Study
The aim here was to evaluate the effect of a homeopathic medication on the delivery process in bitches.
2.1.2. Method
The trial was a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial and the treatments were randomly assigned to the individual dogs.
2.1.3. Subjects eligible for inclusion
Bitches confirmed to be pregnant, presenting with no pathological disorder or malformation which could hinder delivery by the natural process.
2.1.4. Initial assessment
The initial assessment of each subject was reported on the individual case report form:
-Data on each subject included: breed, age, presumed date of mating, expected date of delivery (=D0) and, if appropriate, dates of any previous deliveries.
-Previous history of any reproductive disorders.
2.1.5. Treatments
Many homeopathic remedies can be used in order to prevent any risk of dystocia in gravid females; these are prescribed on the basis of the homeopathic signs shown by each animals and observed by the prescriber. In the context of systematic prescription, the remedies had to be effective in all individuals; in this case they were prescribed, not on the basis of the various signs presented by the individual, but in this study, on the basis of the state of pregnancy common to all the bitches to be treated.
For the purposes of this clinical trial, we selected two "classical" remedies: Arnica and Caulophyllum.
Arnica: this is the principal homeopathic remedy used to treat physical injury, contusions, the effects of physical overwork and repeated exertion.
It also promotes the venous and capillary circulation. Arnica is recommended both during the final stages of pregnancy and during delivery.
Caulophyllum: this is the principal homeopathic remedy used to treat dystocia related to rigidity of the uterine cervix. It promotes dilatation at the moment of delivery; it is also reported to reduce uterine pain during gestation.
Each veterinarian received 12 numbered treatment kits, one per animal for the expected number of animals to be treated during the trial.
Presentation: each individual treatment was presented in the form of a kit consisting of 2 bottles: A and B.
1 individual kit = 1 bottle A + 1 bottle B.
Each kit was numbered.
2.1.6. Beginning of Treatments
The Veterinarian instructed the owner of the bitch to start the treatment two weeks before the expected date of delivery (D-15). A deviation by up to 5 days was acceptable.
2.1.7.
Dosage/administration regimen
The treatment consisted of daily alternate administration of either 20 drops (about 1 ml) of the contents of each of the two bottles (regardless of the bodyweight of the animal) until delivery actually took place.
i.e. 20 drops from bottle A on day 1
20 drops from bottle B on day 2
20 drops from bottle A on day 3
20 drops from bottle B on day 4
20 drops from bottle A on day 5
20 drops from bottle B on day 6
and so on, until the animal had pupped.
The drops could be mixed with the feed.
Concomitant medical treatment was permitted, as long as this was reported on the individual case report form -Appendix 1).
2.1.8.
Assesment Criteria
The following quantitative criteria were taken in account during the trial:
- number of procedures (manual, medical or medicinal) carried out during delivery,
- Duration of the two successive stages of delivery:
from the onset of labor to the birth of the first pup;
from the birth of the first pup to the birth of the last pup.
- Number of live born pups, still born pups and the number of pups alive at 3 days, which makes it possible to evaluate any injuries attributable to birth and the viability of the pups.
2.2. STUDY PROCEDURE/FINDINGS
The trial was a placebo-controlled trial carried out under double blind in several veterinary clinics between March 1993 and June 1994 in the context of the work of the C.N.V.S.P.A. (Conférence Nationale des Vétérinaires Spécialisés en Petits Animaux - National Conference of Veterinarians specializing in Small Species) by the G.E.B. (Groupe d'Etude en Biothérapies - Biotherapy Study Group).
Twenty-two veterinarians took part in the trial and provided 73 interpretable cases.
2.2.1. Number of Procedures
The small number of procedures performed made it impossible to carry out any statistical analysis of the data.
2.2.2. Duration of Delivery
The differences observed occurred during the labor phase i.e. the time between the breaking of the waters and the expulsion of the first pup. The mean duration of this phase was longer in the placebo group than in the homeopathy-treated group (verum group): 3.12 h vs. 1.82 h (p < 8%) - see Figure 1.
2.3. RESULTS
The results are expressed in figure 1.
Evaluation of
the viability of the pups at birth: this parameter was assessed from the mean
ratio of the total number of pups per litter (% live births/total births). The mean value of this ratio was 96.1% in
the verum group versus 92.4% in the placebo group; a difference which was
significant to the 10% threshold.
Figure 1. Onset of the
labour
3.1. PROTOCOL
3.1.1. Aim of the study
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on the farrowing process and the survival of the piglets of treating gestating sows with a homeopathic complex.
3.1.2. Method
The trial was an open trial versus a reference treatment. The treatments were randomly allocated by a process involving equilibration for litter rank and expected date of delivery.
3.1.3. Subjects eligible
for inclusion
Only sows carrying their second to sixth litter were eligible for inclusion. Those expecting their first litter were not eligible due to the lack of information about their farrowing capacity and the wide range of variability of their behavior. Litters after the sixth were not included because they are not typical of husbandry stock (only good sows are kept). Sows which had presented with any particular problems during previous farrowing(s) (MMA syndrome, abnormally prolonged farrowing) were also excluded from the trial.
3.1.4. Treatment
The treatment chosen was a complex formulation containing 3 constituents which had been in routine use in several animal husbandry facilities for several months:
Caulophylum 30 CH
Sepia 6 DH
Cocculus 6 DH
Caulophyllum thalictroides: a plant which contains methyl cystisine (Guermonprez et al., 1985). This is a hormonal substance, which explains why this substance has a polarity which promotes opening of the uterine cervix.
Caulophyllum has been subjected to numerous clinical trials in the sow which have demonstrated its role in facilitating farrowing (Wolter, 1980) and its indirect beneficial effect in improving prolificity criteria, reducing the number of piglets stillborn (Day, 1984) and increasing the litter weight (Casini et al., 1990). In experiments carried out in female rats, Caulophyllum has demonstrated and estrogen-like activity, resulting in increased ovarian and uterine organ weights (Seifert, 1987) In women, a homeopathic complex containing Caulophyllum reduced the duration of delivery and the number of cases of dystocia (Arnal, 1983; Coudert, 1981).
Sepia is prepared from squid ink. Sepia (Zissu and Guillaume, 1986) contains derivatives of amino acids, such as DOPA and serotonin-like substances. Its action consists of two phases: a short excitation phase (venous and vasomotor erythema, venous overload) followed by a prolonged phase of depression of the elastico-connective and nervous systems as well as of the cutaneous and mucosal orifice linings. The main areas affected are the pelvic pole and the hepatoportal pole. Administered concomitantly with Caulophyllum, Sepia is traditionally used in women in preparing for childbirth.
Cocculus indicus: obtained from the fruits of a Menispermacea, Cocculus contains alkaloids and picrotoxin, which induces hyperparasympathicotony. Cocculus has already been tested in pigs (three actions investigated: cannibalism, mortality during transportation and during farrowing); some idea of its potential usefulness has already emerged (Riaucourt, 1991).
Five milliliters of the preparation in liquid form was administered into the feeding trough by means of a dosing gun. This was repeated daily for the 5 days preceding the scheduled date of farrowing.
3.1.5. Concomitant
Treatment
Such treatments were authorized and administered in accordance with the usual stock practice of the farmer, and administered routinely to both groups.
3.1.6. Assessment
Criteria
Qualitative criteria:
"Farrowing assessed by the stockman
- duration (quick, normal, slow)
- demeanor of the sow during farrowing (nervous,
normal, calm)
Prolificity criteria
- number of
live births
- number of
still births
- number of
mummified fetuses
- number
alive at 48 h
(adoptions are carried out only after 48 hours)
- percentage
of live births still alive at 48h.
3.1.7. Monitoring the
trial
The information about each sow was reported on an individual case report form.
3.2. TRIAL PROCEDURE / RESULTS
- The trial was carried out between December 1991 and April 1992 in a farrowing/fattening unit in the Côtes d'Armor region (of Brittany, France), with 7 successive cohorts, each of about 25 sows every 3 weeks.
From each cohort, up to 2 groups of 10 sows were selected by means of random selection equilibrated with regard to the number of previous litters, so that these 2 groups of sows could farrow in the same farrowing unit.
- All the animals in both groups received the routine treatments administered in the unit:
- on day
114: Planate“ (morning) + Suanovil“
(afternoon)
- at the end
of farrowing: Ocytocin (30 IU)
- the day
after farrowing: combination of
antibiotic + anti-inflammatory (Ampimycin Dex“).
Animals included: 111 animals were included.
Animals excluded during the trial: 10 multiparous sows, either because they were not pregnant or because they became ill before farrowing.
101 sows completed the trial in entirety.
3.2.1. Preliminary Analysis
The results are presented in Table 1.
The distribution of the litter ranks in each group was fully equilibrated.
TABLE
1: Comparison of the distribution of
litter ranks in the two groups (K2 test: NS)
_________________________________________________________
Control
Group Treated Group
2nd
litter 14 12
3rd
litter 8 15
4th
litter 8 6
5th
litter 8 9
6th
litter 8 8
_________________________________________________________
TOTAL 51 50
3.2.2. Analysis of the Criteria Investigated
-
qualitative criteria
No difference was detected between the two groups with regard to the demeanor of the sow or the duration of farrowing.
-
quantitative criteria
No difference was found between the groups with regard to the number of live births, still births, mummified fetuses or live offspring at 48 hours. The number of stillborn piglets was however, clearly higher in the control group (20 still births versus 10 in the treated group).
TABLE 2:
Summary of the study data
_____________________________________________________________________
Control Group Treated Group Statistical
analysis
_____________________________________________________________________
Number
of 51 50
Subjects
(
sows)
_____________________________________________________________________
Qualitative
Criteria
Duration of
Farrowing
-
quick 10 10 NS
-
normal 39 38 NS
-
long 2 2 NS
Demeanor
of
the
sow during
farrowing
-
nervous 6 3 NS
-
normal 29 35 NS
-
calm 16 12 NS
_____________________________________________________________________
Prolificity *
Criteria
Number
of 10.1± 2•5 10.1 ± 2 NS
live
birth
Number
of 0.4 ± 1.1 0.2 ± 0.5 NS
(p < 7.6%)
still
birth
Number
of 0.1± 0.3 0.1± 0.3 NS
mummified
Number alive 9.1 ± 2.2 9.5 ± 1.9 NS
at
48h
Number
alive 91.9% ± 10.5 95.1% ± 6.3 p < 4%
at
48h / number
live
birth
___________________________________________________________________
*
Mean ± SD
The percentage of piglets alive at 48 h in terms of the number of live births showed a significant difference, to the threshold of 4%, in favor of the treated group.
Farrowing process: in contrast with the findings reported by Wolter (1980), no difference was found between the two groups. The difficulty in carrying out evaluations of this type is related to the nature of the parameters selected (qualitative criteria marked by some degree of subjectivity) and to the timing of farrowing (this often occurs at night, which does not always make it possible for the observer to be present): the percentage of sows showing "normal" demeanor or farrowing described as "normal" may therefore have been overestimated.
Prolificity parameters
The intergroup comparison of the number of live born piglets did not reveal any difference:
the equivalent number of mummified piglets in these two groups can easily be accounted for by the fact that mummification process occurs earlier than the period of the test treatment.
- the facilitation of the passage (distention of the cervix) was not confirmed statistically, on the criterion "number of still births", despite the clearly smaller number of in the treated group: 10 still births versus 20 in the control group. The "reduced distress" during farrowing is however reflected in the improved survival of the piglets in the treated group: 95.1% survival rate versus 91.9% in the control group (which is equivalent to mortality rates of 4.9% and 8.1% respectively during the first 48 hours). Another analysis of the survival rate, this time in terms of the total number of births (= live births + still births + mummified) gives values of 92.8% in the treated group versus 87.4% survival rate (difference of more than 5 points, significant to the 7% threshold).
The two tests described, carried out on two very different types of animal (dog and pig) consisted in both cases of a comparison of a homeopathic treatment administered at the end of gestation with a placebo. In both cases significant differences between the treated/placebo groups were noted: both studies demonstrated a beneficial effect of the homeopathic treatment on the viability of the offspring at birth (number of live births/total number of births) in the dog and (number alive at 48 hours/number of live births) in the sow. In the sow, a beneficial effect of the homeopathic treatment on the duration of farrowing was also observed.
These findings probably reflect the known effect of Caulophyllum on the dilatation of the uterine cervix. Caulophyllum is included in the formulations used in both studies, but is used at different concentrations. These findings confirm those reported by Day (1984). They also show the financial value of administering some homeopathic preparations in combination with conventional "allopathic" treatments.
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