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. 1996;37(3):251-63.
doi: 10.1186/BF03548092.

Intrauterine bacterial findings and hormonal profiles in post-partum cows with normal puerperium

M Bekana  1 , P Jonsson, H Kindahl
Affiliations

Intrauterine bacterial findings and hormonal profiles in post-partum cows with normal puerperium

M Bekana et al. Acta Vet Scand. 1996.

Abstract
in English, German

The post-partum intrauterine bacterial flora, prostaglandin release, uterine involution and resumption of ovarian activity were studied in 9 Swedish dairy cows during the first 8-week period. Uterine involution was monitored by transrectal examinations of the reproductive tract 3 times weekly. Bacteriological examination was performed from twice weekly uterine biopsies. The main PGF2 alpha metabolite (15-ketodihydro-PGF2 alpha) was monitored from twice daily blood plasma samples, while morning samples were used for progesterone determinations. The cows were assigned to 2 groups: Group I (n = 7) with an uncomplicated puerperal period and Group II (n = 2) with signs of intrauterine infections. A total of 143 biopsies were collected, of which 129 (90.2%) were found to be bacteriologically negative. Thirteen (9.1%) of the remaining 14 biopsies were bacteriologically positive, while one (0.7%) was probably a contamination on a single occasion. The 13 bacteriologically positive biopsies belonged to the Group II cows from which 31 isolates contained 6 different genera of facultative and obligate anaerobic bacteria. Actinomyces pyogenes along with Bacteroides sp. and Fusobacterium necrophorum were found to predominate in a mixed flora. The bacteria were rapidly eliminated and disappeared completely from the uteri towards the end of the third week post-partum. The average number of days required for completion of uterine involution was 21.8 +/- 3.0 for all animals. The plasma levels of the PGF2 alpha metabolite were significantly elevated for the first 12-18, and 18 and 27 days in Group I and Group II, respectively. There was no significant relationship between the duration of PGF2 alpha release and the time required for completion of uterine involution (p > 0.05). Progesterone analysis showed resumption of ovarian activity and subsequent ovulation in 4 of the 9 cows 44-55 days post-partum. Thus, intrauterine infections are not commonly seen in cows with normal calving and comparison between the duration of PGF2 alpha release and the time required for completion of uterine involution showed insignificant correlation. However, the longer duration of PGF2 alpha release recorded in the 2 cows with intrauterine infections are related to the increased frequency of infections.

Den postpartala intrauterina bakteriefloran, prostaglandinfrisättning, uterusinvolution och återupptagande av äggstocksaktiviteten studerades hos 9 svenska mjölkkor under den första 8 veckorsperioden efter kalvningen. Uterusinvolutionen följdes med rektalpalpation av genitalorganen 3 gånger i veckan och uterusbiopsier togs 2 gånger i veckan för bakterieodling. Huvudmetaboliten av prostaglandin (PG) F2α (15-ketodihydro-PGF2α) och progesteron analyserades i blodplasma samlat två respektive en gånger dagligen. Sju av djuren visade ett okomplicerat puerperium (grupp I) och två hade tecken på intrauterin infektion (grupp II). Totalt samlades 143 biopsier av vilka 129 (90.2%) var bakteriologiskt negativa. Tretton (9.1%) av de resterande 14 biopsierna var bakteriologiskt positiva, medan en (0.7%) sannolikt var en kontamination vid ett enstaka tillfälle. De 13 bakteriologiskt positiva biopsierna härrörde från grupp II och 31 olika isolat från 6 olika genus av fakultativt och obligat anaeroba bakterier påvisades. Actinomyces pyogenes tillsammans med Bacteroides sp. och Fusobacterium necrophorum dominerade i biandflora. Bakterierna eliminerades snabbt och försvann från livmodern i slutet av tredje veckan efter kalvningen. Det tog i medeltal 21.8 ± 3.0 dagar för alla djur att avsluta uterusinvolutionen. Plasmanivåerna av 3.0 dagar för alla djur prostaglandinmetaboliten var signifikant förhöjda under 12 till 18 dagar för de sju djuren med okomplicerat puerperium respektive 18 och 27 dagar för de två med infektioner. Det kunde inte påvisas något samband mellan prostaglandinfrisättning och tiden för avslutad uterusinvolution (p>0.05). Progesteronanalyserna visade att äggstockarna återupptog sin aktivitet och ovulationer inträffade hos 4 av de 9 djuren 44–55 dagar efter kalvningen. Det kan konkluderas från dessa studier att intrauterina infektioner inte är vanligt förekommande hos kor med normal kalvning. Det kunde inte påvisas något samband mellan prostaglandinfrisättning och tiden för avslutad uterusinvolution, men den längre prostaglandinfrisättningen uppmätt hos de 2 korna med intrauterin infektion tyder på att prostaglandiner har betydelse i infektionens förlopp.

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