Histology of the endometrium in cows in normal and pathologic puerperium

There were repeated histological bioptic examinations of the endometrium during the period from the second to twentieth day post partum (p.p.) in cows with afterbirth retention (n = 5), with developing puerperal endometritis (n = 5), and with a physiological course of puerperium (n = 5). In cows with a physiological course of puerperium, a finished process of epithelization of endometrium with a morphological and functional consolidation of the epithelium could be observed on the 20th day p.p. In cows with disturbed puerperium, the surface epithelium still exhibited signs of disintegration and a low secretion activity. The endometria of both groups of cows with pathological puerperium had a high degree of infiltration with neutrophil granulocytes: in cows with retained afterbirth this picture was characteristic already the second day p.p. On the other hand, the endometrium of cows with physiological puerperium was characterized by a higher occurrence of folliculoid nodules as early as on the tenth day p.p., and a rapid increase in the number of fat cells and activated histiocytes--macrophages could be observed in the endometrium of these cows between the 15th and 20th day p.p. The dynamics of occurrence of mobile cells in the studied groups of cows confirmed their importance for a physiological course of the restitution of endometrium during the puerperium of cows.     

Levels of progesterone, 17 beta-estradiol and 11-hydroxycorticosteroid in the blood in cows in different types of puerperal conditions

Changes in progesterone (P4), 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and 11-hydroxycorticosteroid (11-OHCS) concentrations in blood plasma were determined in daily intervals from the day of parturition to day 15 post partum (p.p.) in cows with physiological puerperium (n = 8), with puerperal endometritis (n = 6), and with placenta retention (n = 6). Cows with puerperium disorders (endometritis, placenta retention) had significantly higher P4 levels in the period from day 3 to day 7 p.p. than cows with physiological puerperium. E2 concentrations decreased to basal values following the parturition in cows with spontaneous parturitions and subsequent expulsion of the placenta. A delayed decrease in E2 concentrations after parturition and a significant increase on day 5 and day 7 p.p. were recorded in the group of animals with placenta retention. Significantly higher levels of 11-OHCS in blood plasma were detected by day 5 or by day 8 p.p. in cows with placenta retention and puerperal endometritis. Extraovarial sources of sexual steroids resulting in endocrine malfunctions are discussed as well as likely consequences for puerperium.     

Influence of time of initiation of a prostaglandin F2alpha protocol in dairy cows with puerperal endometritis

A field trial was conducted to elucidate the effect of the time of initiation of a repeated PGF2alpha-application in a 14 day interval for treatment of endometritis in dairy cows. On a commercial dairy farm in Brandenburg, Germany, a total of 494 dairy cows were examined by rectal palpation and adspection for signs of endometritis (vaginal discharge, enlarged uterus) between day 20 to 26 post partum (dpp). We performed two further examinations by rectal palpation and external adspection to monitor the puerperal phase (34.-40. dpp, 55.-61. dpp). All cows with symptoms of an endometritis were treated with PGF2alpha (0.15 mg R-Cloprostenol, Preloban, Intervet Deutschland GmbH Unterschleissheim) twice in a 14-day interval. In the group "Early" (n = 146) the first injection of Cloprostenol was administered at time of the 1st examination. In the group "Late" (n = 129) an identical treatment was administered in cows with endometritis, however it was started 14 days later (34.-40. dpp). The incidence of endometritis was 57.7% in the group "Early" and 53.5% in the group "Late" at the first time of examination. The 1st service conception rates for treated cows were 34% in the group "Early" vs. 37% in the group "Late". In the group "Early" differences were found in days open between treated cows with endometritis and untreated controls without symptoms of endometritis (99.1 d vs. 110.8 d, p > 0.05). In the group "Late", days open for treated (106.8 d) and untreated cows (108.0 d) were similar. The severity of endometritis influenced the percentage of cows pregnant at 200 dpp. Regarding cows with a severe endometritis (E2 and E3) the percentage of pregnant cows 200 dpp was higher in the group treated early (E2: 78.4%; E3: 80.0%) than in the group with the late initiation of the treatment (E2: 68.6%; E3: 54.5%, p < 0.05). Cows with a moderate endometritis (E1) had a similar percentage of pregnant cows (200 dpp) as the untreated cows without endometritis. It is concluded that application of PGF2alpha in the 4th and 6th week post partum in a 14 day interval in cases of severe endometritis is more effective than the application of the same treatment two weeks later.     

Effects of the intensity of a post partum examination on the fertility performance of high yielding dairy cows

Two methods for a scheduled post partum examination were compared on a commercial dairy farm. In Group 1, all cows (n = 601) were examined by rectal palpation between day 20 and 26 post partum for signs of endometritis (vaginal discharge, enlarged uterus). In Group 2, all cows (n = 652) were examined by external inspection for vaginal discharge as a sign for endometritis. In both groups all cows with endometritis were treated twice with prostaglandin F2 alpha (25 mg of dinoprost) in a 14-day interval. The proportion of cows with signs of endometritis was 33.3% and 17.2% in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p < 0.05). In Group 1, the conception rate (39.0% vs 49.3%) and the proportion of cows pregnant (60.5% vs 72.6%) were lower for cows with endometritis than for cows without endometritis. In Group 2, no significant differences were found in reproductive performance for cows with and without signs of endometritis. No significant differences in reproductive performance were found for cows with endometritis between the two groups. Also, for cows without endometritis no significant differences in reproductive performance were found between the groups. It is concluded that the post partum examination by rectal palpation was more sensitive in finding cows with endometritis. However, with regard to the reproductive performance the more sensitive method was not more effective than the method based on systematic external inspection.     

Evaluation of the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in dairy cattle using ultrasound

The aim of this study was to determine signs of subclinical endometritis found by ultrasound that are associated with reduced fertility in dairy cows.The maximum diameter of the uterine lumen was determined by ultrasound in 324 cows without clinical signs of endometritis after evaluation of the genital tract 21 to 27 days postpartum. Cows were classified into healthy or with subclinical endometritis by three threshold values for the maximum uterine lumen diameter of 0.2 cm, 0.5 cm or 0.8 cm. Examinations by rectal palpation and ultrasound as well as classifications were repeated 14 days later. In addition, ovaries were scanned by ultrasound to determine the stage of the estrous cycle. In a subgroup of 103 cows the echotexture of the uterus and its contents was evaluated. In these cows the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis was performed by a scoring system. The diameter of the uterine lumen was significantly affected by stage of the estrous cycle at the time of examination. However, no effects were found for the stage of the cycle at the time of examination on subsequent reproductive performance. A uterine lumen with a maximum diameter of more than 0.2 cm showed a significant negative association with conception rate and proportion of cows pregnant. Classification based on higher threshold values did not reveal an association with reproductive performance. Echogenic content in the uterus also decreased reproductive performance. A classification based on the echotexture of the uterus and its contents revealed significant differences between healthy cows and cows with subclinical endometritis regarding the proportion of cows inseminated and pregnant.The results of this study showed that the diagnostic of bovine endometritis should be broadend by ultrasonography. The definition of subclinical endometritis diagnosed by means of ultrasonography has to be evaluated in further studies.     

Suitability of sonographic evaluation of ovarian dynamics and uterine involution for prediction of postpartum fertility in the cow

To investigate the suitability of sonography for prediction of puerperal fertility, we used 34 cows with normal puerperium. For this purpose, the animals were examined gynecologically and by transrectal sonography at 10-day intervals between day 15 and day 45 p.p. as well as at oestrus, when they were inseminated. We judged uterine involution by diameter and sonographic structure of the uterine cross-section and ovarian activity by the presence of follicles and corpora lutea. Cows, which became pregnant after first insemination p.p., were assigned to group G1 (n = 16) and animals, which failed to conceive, to group G2 (n = 18). The cows of G1 obtained significantly better results concerning both uterine involution and ovarian activity than cows of G2. Thus, diameter of the uterine horn decreased faster and sonographic structure of the uterine cross section returned markedly earlier to the nonpregnant appearance in G1 than in G2. Group G1 also showed a significantly higher percentage of dominant follicles at all examinations. The results of the study show a distinct relationship between uterine involution and ovarian activity and puerperal fertility. But it has also to be resumed that the prediction of fertility for individuals will always be restricted by other reasons causing failure of conception.     

Effects of intermittent injections of LHRH on specific binding of 125I-labeled gonadotropins to granulosa and theca, and concentrations of steroids in serum and ovarian follicles during postpartum anovulation in suckled beef cows

To examine ovarian follicular response to low-dose injections of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), 32 anovulatory, suckled beef cows were allotted to one of four treatment groups and injected with either saline or 500 ng LHRH every 2 h for 48 or 96 h, starting 21.4 +/- .4 d after parturition. Two hours after the last injection of LHRH, cows were ovariectomized and 10 to 15 ovarian follicles per pair of ovaries were removed and categorized by diameter as small (1.0 to 3.9 mm), medium (4.0 to 7.9 mm) or large (greater than or equal to 8.0 mm). Injections of LHRH did not affect (P greater than .10) steroid levels in small follicles or numbers of gonadotropin receptors in small and medium follicles. Concentrations of progesterone in fluid of medium follicles increased 1.5-fold (P less than .05) after 96 h of LHRH, whereas concentrations of estradiol and androstenedione were unchanged. In fluid of large follicles, concentrations of progesterone were fourfold greater (P less than .05) in LHRH-treated than in control cows at 48 h, but by 96 h progesterone was twofold greater (P less than .05) in control than LHRH-treated cows. In large follicles, concentrations of estradiol were unchanged (P greater than .10) after 48 h of LHRH injections but after 96 h estradiol was twofold greater (P less than .05) in LHRH-treated than control cows. Increased concentrations of estradiol in large follicles coincided with increased numbers of binding sites for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) but not follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in granulosa and theca.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of intrauterine bacterial infusions and subsequent endometritis on prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite concentrations in postpartum beef cows.

Multiparous Angus and crossbred Angus cows were used to determine the effect of induced endometritis on plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) and progesterone (P4) and on duration of the estrous cycle of treatment. Beginning on the day of calving (d 0), blood samples were collected on alternate days. On three consecutive days, ranging from d 8 to 14 of the first postpartum estrous cycle, uterine horns were inoculated transcervically with either 3 x 10(9) colony forming units (cfu) of Actinomyces pyogenes and 1.5 x 10(9) cfu of beta-hemolytic Escherichia coli (treated; n = 9) in sterile PBS or with sterile PBS alone (control; n = 9). Samples of uterine fluid were collected by transcervical aspiration twice weekly from just before the start of each series of inoculations until the end of the experiment. Endometrial biopsies were collected transcervically between d 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 after inoculation. Based on clinical observations and results of bacterial cultures, all treated cows developed acute uterine infections. Controls did not develop uterine infections. Endometrial biopsies indicated that there were no significant diffuse or focal cellular reactions in response to the infection. The interestrous interval was greater (P less than .0003) for treated (27.7 +/- 1.0 d) than for control (20.6 +/- 1.0 d) cows, but P4 concentrations were similar between the two groups. Mean PGFM concentration and PGFM profiles were similar (P greater than .10) between treated and control cows before bacterial infusions. Bacterial infusions increased mean PGFM concentration (P less than .0001) and changed the shape of the PGFM profile (P less than .02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of Puerperal Uterine Infection on Uterine Involution and Postpartum Ovarian Activity in Dairy Cows

This article presents the results of a clinical trial designed to study the effect of puerperal uterine infection on uterine involution and on ovarian activity in dairy cows, monitored twice weekly from parturition until the sixth week postpartum (wpp). Infection significantly retarded uterine involution assessed by the uterine body diameter and a score of intrauterine fluid volume (IUFV). By the sixth wpp, cows with normal puerperium (controls) and cows that showed mild puerperal endometritis had similar uterine body diameter and IUFV, indicating spontaneous recovery within the postpartum voluntary waiting period. However, in cows with severe puerperal endometritis, although uterine body diameter had regressed to pregravid size, IUFV remained significantly higher than in control and mild endometritis cows, indicating that chronic endometritis was established. The IUFV score was positively and significantly correlated with uterine swab bacterial growth density and allowed diagnosis of endometritis after the third wpp. Cows with mild or severe endometritis had a significantly higher prevalence and persistence of pathogenic bacteria ( Escherichia coli , Actinomyces pyogenes , Gram-negative anaerobes – GNA) than controls. Actinomyces pyogenes was associated to GNA in 74% of isolations. Ovarian activity measured by ultrasound scanning of the ovaries and plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations was more abnormal (prolonged anoestrus, prolonged luteal phases and ovarian cysts) in cows with severe endometritis than in controls.     

Dynamic changes in plasma concentrations of gonadotropins, inhibin, estradiol-17beta and progesterone in cows with ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration

To elucidate the effects of ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicular aspiration, plasma concentrations of FSH, LH, inhibin, estradiol-17beta and progesterone, and folliculogenesis were examined in Holstein cows. Four clinically healthy cows with regular estrous cycles were scanned by ultrasound per rectum once a week for 9 weeks before the commencement of follicular aspiration. All visible follicles were divided into 3 categories based on their sizes (2 < or = small < 5 mm; 5 < or = medium < 10 mm, large > or = 10 mm). The follicular aspiration was started at random during the estrous cycle and conducted under epidural anesthesia induced with 5 ml of 2% lidocaine once a week for 6 weeks. The average number of total visible follicles > or = 2 mm in diameter at 7 days after aspiration (21.7 +/- 7.4, n = 24) was similar to that before starting aspiration (26.7 +/- 10.5, n = 36). Plasma inhibin and estradiol-17beta declined and fell to a trough on 1.5 days and returned to pre-aspiration values by 5 days after aspiration. Plasma concentrations of FSH increased and reached peak levels between 1 and 1.5 days after aspirations. Plasma concentrations of LH also increased and reached peak levels between 0.5 and 1.5 days after aspirations. Both plasma FSH and LH had returned to pre-aspiration levels by 5 days after aspirations. Plasma concentrations of progesterone did not change with the follicular aspiration. These results demonstrate that follicular aspiration decreases plasma concentrations of inhibin and estradiol-17beta, which in turn leads to a rise in plasma concentrations of FSH and LH. It is suggested that marked increases in plasma concentrations of FSH and LH after the aspiration stimulate the development and maturation of a new cohort of follicles within one week in cows.     

不同共轭亚油酸水平对淘汰安格斯母牛血清生化指标和肌肉脂肪酸的影响

试验旨在研究不同共轭亚油酸（CLA）水平对淘汰安格斯母牛血清生化指标及肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响。采用完全随机设计的方法,选用40头健康无病、体重（417.70±30.83）kg的22月龄淘汰安格斯母牛,随机分为4组,每组10头。对照组不添加CLA,试验组分别添加0.5%（0.5% CLA组）、1.0%（1.0% CLA组）和1.5%（1.5% CLA组）CLA,整个试验期为105 d,其中预试期15 d,正试期90 d。试验结束时,每组随机选取3头体重相近的试验牛采血并屠宰,测定其血清中总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、高密度脂蛋白（HDL）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）、生长激素（GH）、胰岛素（INS）、脂联素（ADPN）和瘦素（LEP）及肌肉脂肪酸含量。结果表明：各组间血清中TC、TG、HDL、LDL及GH、ADPN和LEP含量均无显著差异（P>0.05）;对照组和1.0% CLA组血清中INS含量显著低于0.5%、1.5% CLA组（P<0.05）,但0.5% CLA组和1.5% CLA组之间无显著差异（P>0.05）。日粮中添加CLA对淘汰安格斯母牛肌肉中脂肪酸含量有影响,与对照组相比,0.5%、1.0%和1.5% CLA组C14：0含量与1.0% CLA组C16：0含量显著降低（P<0.05）,且均以1.0% CLA组C14：0与C16：0含量最低;1.0% CLA组C18：1n9c、MUFA（单不饱和脂肪酸）含量及1.0%、1.5% CLA组C18：2n6c、PUFA（多不饱和脂肪酸）含量显著提高（P<0.05）,且均以1.0% CLA组不饱和脂肪酸含量最高。由此可见,在该试验条件下,日粮中添加1.0% CLA能降低淘汰安格斯母牛血清中INS水平,提高牛肉中MUFA和PUFA含量,改善牛肉品质。     

Relationship between postpartum changes in 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2alpha concentrations in Holstein cows and their susceptibility to endometritis

Uterine infections (i.e., endometritis) can have a major economic impact on dairy production. Identifying cows that are susceptible to endometritis and improving the diagnosis of endometritis could lead to a reduction in the impact of such infections. Thus, we used Holstein cows to determine whether postpartum changes in 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2alpha (PGFM), a metabolite of PGF2alpha, could be used to identify cows that are susceptible to endometritis and to improve the diagnosis of endometritis. Cows were assigned to three treatments. 1) Control (n = 10) had no clinical or bacteriological signs of endometritis during the study. 2) Treated (n = 11) developed endometritis spontaneously and were treated i.m. with 25 mg of PGF2alpha immediately after clinical diagnosis (d 17.6 +/- 0.8 postpartum; mean +/- SEM). 3) Untreated (n = 10) developed endometritis spontaneously and were not treated after diagnosis (d 20.0 +/- 0.5). Examinations of external and internal genitalia and bacteriological data were used to diagnose endometritis. From d 0 (calving) until approximately d 63 postpartum, jugular blood was collected three times weekly. Progesterone and PGFM were quantified in plasma. For PGFM, the treatment x day interaction was significant (P < 0.01). Overall PGFM profiles for Control and Treated differed (P < 0.05), but the Untreated profile did not differ from either Control or Treated. To better understand the interaction, PGFM data from d 0 to 35 postpartum were partitioned into consecutive 7-d periods, and d-36 and greater data were partitioned into one period. Effects of treatment, day, and the treatment x day interaction were then evaluated within period. Except for the d-15 to -21 period, PGFM was greater (P < 0.03) in Control than in Treated and Untreated. In Treated and Untreated, PGFM increased during the d-15 to -21 period. For progesterone, treatment did not affect the profiles, but day was significant (P < 0.001). Progesterone concentrations were basal from d 0 until approximately d 12, and they generally increased after d 12. Onset of endometritis was associated with increased progesterone concentrations. Treatment did not affect the interval from calving to first detected estrus (29.5 +/- 4.9 d) or from calving to AI (73.3 +/- 8.7 d). We conclude that PGFM measures have the potential to be used to identify cows that are more likely to develop endometritis and that PGFM may aid in the diagnosis of endometritis.     

Pathological changes in the reproductive organs of cows and heifers culled because of infertility

The reproductive organs of 20 Estonian Holstein Breed (EHF) cows and three heifers, culled because of infertility, were studied by palpation per rectum and ultrasonography. In addition, pathoanatomical and pathohistological studies were carried out after slaughtering. The pathohistological study revealed that small cysts often (12 animals) existed in culled cows, whose diameter was less than 2.5 cm. These cysts were frequently accompanied by changes in secondary and Graafi follicles, rete ovarii, ovarian stroma, and the endometrium. Three cows had follicular cysts in the ovaries, which were 25-35 mm in diameter. Two cows revealed luteal cysts in the ovaries; one of them had vaginal prolapse. Four animals (one heifer and three cows) manifested tumours or tumour-like malformations: ovarian endosalpingiosis, germ and stromal cell tumour, oviductal myolipoma, and haemangiosarcoma in the uterine blood vessels. One heifer had been culled because of two abscesses in the vaginal wall close to the cervix and another had chronic endometritis. The research findings indicate that the most common cause of infertility in the culled cows was cystic degeneration in ovaries (85%), accompanied by pathological changes elsewhere in the reproductive organs. We claim that these changes are responsible for the low pregnancy rate after the treatment of ovarian cysts. The second most common reason was genital tumours (15%). In heifers, infertility is rare and its causes are heterogeneous.     

Anovulation in postpartum suckled beef cows. I. Associations among size and numbers of ovarian follicles, uterine involution, and hormones in serum and follicular fluid

Changes in sizes and numbers of ovarian antral follicles, uterine size and weight, serum hormones, and frequency and duration of suckling were examined during the postpartum anovulatory period in primiparous, suckled beef cows. Twenty-one anovulatory, suckled cows (n = 4 to 6/d) were slaughtered on d 7, 14, 28 and 42 to 56 after parturition. In addition, a total of 11 postpartum cows that had begun cyclic activity were slaughtered on d 28, 42 or 56. Blood was collected at 10-min intervals for 6 h 1 d before slaughter for measurement of prolactin, cortisol and progesterone in serum. Numbers of medium (4.0 to 7.9 mm) follicles increased fourfold (P less than .05) between d 7 and 42 to 56 in anovulatory cows, whereas numbers of small (1.0 to 3.9 mm) and large (greater than or equal to 8.0 mm) follicles did not change (P greater than .10). Uterine involution was complete by d 28. In anovulatory cows, a higher (P less than .05) proportion of largest (but not second-largest) follicles was opposite the ovary containing the corpus albicans from pregnancy (CAP). In addition, 90% of these largest follicles opposite the CAP had concentrations of estradiol greater than progesterone. In cyclic cows, however, first ovulations occurred with equal frequency on either ovary. Concentrations of prolactin or cortisol in serum or duration of suckling were not associated with changes in uterine or ovarian measurements. In conclusion, growth and function of the largest (but not second-largest) follicle were reduced when located on the ovary containing the CAP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Prostaglandin F2α metabolite levels in normal and uterine-infected postpartum cows

The stable metabolite of prostaglandin F₂, 15 keto-13, 14-dihydroprostaglandin F₂ (PGFM), was measured from peripheral blood samples collected at specified intervals postpartum from 7 normal dairy cows and 4 cows with apparent endometritis. Plasma PFGM levels were significantly (P<.05) elevated for the first 5 days postpartum in the cows with endometritis (ranging from 4.0 to 5.0 ng/ml) compared to the controls (approximately 1.0 ng/ml). Beyond 5 days postpartum, plasma PGFM levels were not significantly different and decreased to approximately 0.4 ng/ml by day 13 in both groups. Time to uterine involution was not different between groups (less than 30 days). Therefore, uterine infections in cows during the puerperium was associated with elevated circulating PGFM levels. These findings and the observation that PGF₂ is not uterotonic in the puerperal cow do not suggest a therapeutic use of PGF₂ in order to evacuate the uterus.     

Bacterial flora of the uterus of cows after calving on two hygienically contrasting farms.

Intrauterine swabs were obtained from cows after calving on two commercial dairy herds with contrasting hygienic environments and incidence of leucorrhea, and cultured aerobically and anaerobically. Of 26 cows with a normal calving and puerperium, eight of 14 (57 per cent) were sterile on farm B where hygiene was poor, compared with five of 12 (42 per cent) on farm A where hygiene was better. Two cows on farm B retained their placentas and subsequently developed metritis/endometritis. Actinomyces pyogenes was the commonest bacterial isolate and Fusobacterium nucleatum, Proteus mirabilis and Bacteroides melaninogenicus were also frequently observed. Similar isolates were obtained from cows on farm B with parturient or puerperal disorders. The contrasting hygienic environments had no influence on either the quantitative or qualitative uterine bacterial flora. Thus, the difference in the incidence of endometritis must have been due to factors other than hygiene.     

Impact of ovarian and uterine conditions on some diagnostic tests output of endometritis in postpartum high-yielding dairy cows

The effect of ovarian predominating structures and uterine condition on the result of some diagnostic tools for the evaluation of endometritis was studied in postpartum (pp) Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (n = 58). Endometrial cytology (EC) and the evaluation of vaginal mucus by vaginoscopy or Metricheck were performed weekly from week 3 to 7 pp. The ovarian studies involved the predominating structures including cystic follicles with plasma progesterone (P(4) ; more or <1 ng/ml; >23 mm), corpus luteum (CL), pre-ovulatory follicles (10-23 mm) and small follicles (<10 mm). The uterine conditions comprised uterine involution, tonicity and fluid in uterus (FIU) regarding echogenicity extent. During week 5, the percentage of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN%) was higher (p < 0.05) in animals with pre-ovulatory follicles (mean ± SEM, 26.3 ± 7.6%) than animals having CL (11.0 ± 3.6%). In cystic ovaries, during week 5, PMN% was higher (p < 0.05) in follicular cysts with low progesterone (P(4) < 1 ng/ml; 9.3 ± 2.6%) than those with high P(4) (P(4) ≥ 1 ng/ml; 1.5 ± 1.1%). Moreover, PMN% was higher (p < 0.01) in animals with non-involuted uterus (11.5 ± 7.4%) than those with involuted uterus (2.7 ± 0.6%) during week 7 pp. The animals that had abnormal mucus determined by Metricheck was higher in animals with atonic uterus than those with tonic uterus during week 6 (82.6% vs 51.5%; p < 0.05) and 7 (71.4% vs 25.7%; p < 0.01) pp. In addition, by vaginoscopy, the prevalence of animals with abnormal discharge showing small follicles (100%, 5/5) during week 3 pp and pre-ovulatory follicles (40.0%, 8/20) during week 5 pp was higher (p < 0.05) when compared to those having CL during week 3 (33.3%; 1/3) and week 5 pp (7.7%; 2/26), respectively. In conclusion, endometrial cytology, Metricheck and vaginoscopy were influenced by the predominating various ovarian structures and uterine condition in early pp high-yielding dairy cows.     

Immune responses during the peripartum period in dairy cows with postpartum endometritis

Determining the immune responses to the development of endometritis during the peripartum period may assist in the development of more efficient reproductive management regimens for dairy herds. In this study, we compared the peripartum immune responses of dairy cows that develop endometritis by 4 weeks postpartum (n = 11) to cows that did not develop this disease (n = 19). Blood samples were collected 1 week before calving, just after or during calving, and then at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 postpartum. Cows that developed endometriris had significantly higher total leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts than the control cows (P < 0.05) at all time points. The leukocytes from cows that developed endometritis were significantly less phagocytic than those from control cows at all sampling time points (P < 0.01). The serum TNFalpha concentrations of the control cows decreased linearly from the prepartum time point (P = 0.0029), but the endometritis cows showed a different profile (P > 0.05). As a result, the serum TNFalpha concentrations were greater in the endometritis group (P < 0.01) than in the control group during the third and fourth weeks postpartum. The greater total leukocyte numbers and neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts, and the maintenance of elevated serum TNFalpha levels in the cows with endometritis may be due to infection in the postpartum period. Furthermore, the decreased phagocytic capacity of leukocytes during the peripartum period, including at the prepartum time point, makes cows more susceptible to postpartum endometritis.     

硫酸头孢喹肟子宫注入剂对泌乳期奶牛的安全性研究

为研究硫酸头孢喹肟子宫注入剂对泌乳期奶牛的安全性,试验选用24头泌乳期的健康中国荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为4组(每组6头),其中3个受试药物组(Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组)分别给奶牛子宫内注入不同剂量的硫酸头孢喹肟子宫注入剂,1个空白对照组(Ⅳ组),给奶牛子宫内注入一定剂量的灭菌生理盐水。给药2次,间隔72h。在给药第0天、末次给药日及停药第7天,观察记录试验奶牛的各项指标,包括体温(直肠温度)、脉搏、呼吸频率、血液生理和生化指标、精神状态等临床表现及日产奶量和乳汁体细胞数(SCC)等,并对其进行考查。结果表明,泌乳期奶牛按推荐方法使用受试药物硫酸头孢喹肟子宫注入剂较安全,临床可用于治疗泌乳期奶牛的子宫内膜炎。     

Acid and alkaline phosphatase in bovine antral follicles

Acid and alkaline phosphatases were measured in the follicular fluid of 766 individual follicles from 96 cows. Follicles were obtained by bilateral ovariectomy or at slaughter from animals at various stages of the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Mean follicle size varied with the physiological state of the cow (P less than .0001). Acid phosphatase activity (U/microliters) varied inversely with follicle size (P less than .001) but not with stage of the estrous cycle or gestation. Total acid phosphatase activity per follicle increased with follicle size (P less than .05). Neither acid phosphatase nor alkaline phosphatase concentration was associated with atresia. Alkaline phosphatase activity (U/microliters) was greater in the smallest follicles (less than 50 microliters) than in other size groups (P less than .0001). Alkaline phosphatase activity (U/microliters) was greater (P less than .05) during the preovulatory phase of the estrous cycle than during other phases. A high concentration of follicular fluid phosphatases cannot be used as a marker for atresia but is characteristic of healthy small antral follicles.