The evaluation of postpartum period in dairy cows with normal and periparturient problems

Abstract

The evaluation of uterine diameter, bacterial flora, ovarian activity and fertility parameters was aimed in this study by means of clinical examination performed 20, 30 and 40 days after calving in dairy cows exhibiting normal (Group 1, n=30) and abnormal (Group 2, n=30) periparturient periods. On the 20th, 30th and 40th day postpartum; in Group 2, uterine horns had larger diameters compared to Group 1. In both groups, the rate of involution was determined to be higher between 20 and 30 days postpartum in previously gravid uterine horns, and between 30 and 40 days postpartum in non-gravid uterine horns. In Group 2, fluid accumulation in both uterine horns was determined to be high on the 20th and 30th day postpartum. Bacterial agents were isolated from 11 and 25 cows in Groups 1 and 2, respectively on the 20th day after calving. The most frequently found microorganisms were determined to be E. coli in the first and A. pyogenes in the second group. However an evident reduction in the number of bacteria was observed in the second group on the 40th day after calving. Among the animals included in Group 1, 10 were determined to have regular ovarian activity, 12 to have inactive ovaries, 2 to have resistant luteal structures, and 6 to have resistant follicular structures throughout the 40 days following calving. The numbers of animals in Group 2 detected to exhibit the same structures were determined as 7, 16, 4 and 3 cows, respectively. The interval from calving to the first service and the calving to conception interval were found to be prolonged in Group 2. The high level of fluid accumulation in the uterus, especially between days 20-30 postpartum, the difference between measurements of previously gravid uterine horns and the isolation of A. pyogenes were regarded as parallel findings.