Doppler sonography of uterine blood flow at mid‐oestrus during different degree of clinical endometritis in dairy cows

The present study was aimed at analysing the mid‐oestrous uterine blood flow parameters during varying degree of endometritis in dairy cows. Degree of clinical endometritis was adjudged on the basis of visual examination of uterine discharge collected from cows at mid‐oestrus, that is mild (slightly turbid; n = 13), moderate (turbid with pus flakes; n = 14) and severe (milky; n = 13). Pulsatility and resistance indices (PI and RI), time average mean velocity (TAMEAN), time average maximum velocity (TAMAX), diameter of the artery, volume of blood flow, Doppler pulse duration (DPD) and systolic upstroke/acceleration time (AT) were measured to study the spectral waveforms at mid‐oestrus. Significantly higher (p < .01) PI and RI were found in cows diagnosed with mild degree in comparison with cows diagnosed with moderate and severe degrees of clinical endometritis. There was significantly higher (p < .01) velocity (TAMEAN and TAMAX), volume of blood flow (BFV‐TAMEAN, BFV‐TAMAX) and DPD in both the middle uterine arteries during moderate and severe degrees of clinical endometritis as compared to mild endometritis. However, significantly higher (p < .01) AT was recorded in cows diagnosed with mild degree as compared to moderate and severe degrees of clinical endometritis. Pearson's correlation analysis has shown that RI was positively correlated with PI and AT in all the groups under study (mild degree, r = .72 and .49; moderate degree, r = .54 and .38; severe degree, r = .90 and .42; p < .05). However, there found significantly negative correlation (p < .05) with other parameters in all the cows irrespective of degree of inflammation. Therefore, it may be deducted that assessment of uterine inflammation can be done with a non‐invasive technique known as Doppler sonography which can be useful in adjudging the hemodynamic changes inside uterus and future fertility of dairy cows.     

Evaluation of haemodynamic changes of uterine arteries using Doppler ultrasonography during different stages of pregnancy in Bos indicus cows

The objectives of the study were to evaluate haemodynamic changes and their relationships among ipsilateral (IPS) and contralateral (CONT) uterine arteries (UA) during different stages of pregnancy in Bos indicus cows. Multiparous pregnant cows (n = 40) having a gestation length 30.47 ± 0.54 (mean ± SD) days were randomly enrolled and subjected to Doppler ultrasonography sequentially at 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th months of gestation. Blood flow indices including diameter of UA (mm), blood flow volume (BFVo, ml/min), blood flow velocity (BFVe, cm/s), time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMV, cm/s), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) were recorded. Data were analysed with mixed models using the PROC MIXED procedures, and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated using the PROC CORR statement in SAS. The final statistical models included the fixed effects of side of UA, gestation month and the interaction between side of UA and gestation month. Results revealed that the mean diameter of the UA (12.13 ± 0.22 vs. 10.09 ± 0.22), BFVo (1236.33 ± 0.55 vs. 770.41 ± 0.55), BFVe (17.18 ± 0.42 vs. 15.58 ± 0.42) and TAMV (17.11 ± 0.44 vs. 15.77 ± 0.44) was higher (p < .05) in IPS as compared to CONT side of the UA in cows. However, PI and RI did not differ between IPS and CON arteries of uterus in cows. A very high and positive correlation (r = .89; p < .05) existed between the diameter of UA and BFVo starting from 1st to 8th months of gestation in IPS as well as CONT sides of UA. Moreover, TAMV was highly and positively correlated (r = .91; p < .05) with BFVe throughout the gestation. In conclusion, these haemodynamic changes in the UA could be used as a valuable validity tool to differentiate the compromised pregnancy in Bos indicus cows.     

Colour-Doppler sonography of the musculophrenic vein in cows

The goal of the present study was to examine the musculophrenic vein of 29 healthy Swiss Braunvieh cows using colour-Doppler sonography to determine vessel morphology and diameter, and blood flow velocity. The hair over the reticular region was clipped, and the left musculophrenic vein was examined before and 10 min after sedation using 0.03 mg/kg xylazine. The musculophrenic vein appeared as a vessel with a diameter of 0.5–1.1 cm located in the diaphragmatic musculature. The spectral display was a broad band structure with a wave-like shape. The Doppler measurement point was 1.5–2.7 cm from the body surface. The diameter of the vein and the blood flow velocity did not differ significantly before and after sedation. Before sedation, the mean diameter (±SD) of the musculophrenic vein was 0.7 (0.2) cm, the maximum blood flow velocity 90.2 (38.6) cm/s, the mean blood flow velocity 60.4 (22.3) cm/s and the minimum blood flow velocity 41.4 (24.2) cm/s. There were significant correlations (r = 0.45–0.90) between blood flow velocity before and after sedation and between minimum, maximum and mean blood flow velocities.     

Mammary blood flow and venous drainage in cows

The mammary blood flow and the udder drainage in vivo evaluated using the antipyrine absorption method has been compared with the anatomical findings in the udder after slaughtering of the experimental cows (Table 1).Because of the orientation of the valves in the perineal veins and blood samples taken in vivo it must be assumed that the perineal veins lead blood toward the veins at the udder base.It is concluded that the drainage of the udder in standing cows will primarily be through the milk veins, eventually there will be a flow of non-mammary venous blood down the external pudic veins at the udder base, as in the case of the perineal veins.     

奶牛产后急性子宫内膜炎病原的分离与鉴定

通过研究奶牛产后急性子宫内膜炎致病微生物组成,揭示该病主要病原并为临床治疗提供依据。以产后6～10 d急性化脓性卡他性子宫内膜炎患牛80头为研究对象,对子宫内容物进行细菌和真菌的分离鉴定。共分离到195株细菌及真菌,其中35.4%具有溶血性,50.8%对试验动物有致病性;大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌分离率较高,为83.75%和62.5%,其次是奇异变形杆菌(36.25%)、白色念珠菌(20%)和肺炎克雷伯氏菌(17.5%)。该病的90%为混合感染,细菌混合感染(70%)主要由大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、肺炎克雷伯氏菌和奇异变形杆菌组成;真菌与细菌混合感染占20%,均有白色念珠菌存在;细菌单一感染占10%。结果表明,奶牛产后急性子宫内膜炎主要致病菌是大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、肺炎克雷伯氏菌、奇异变形杆菌,20%受试牛存在着以白色念珠菌为主的真菌感染。     

Ovarian and uterine arteries blood flow waveform response in the first two cycles following superstimulation in cows

To investigate the ovarian and uterine blood flow responses, hemodynamic, circulating ovarian hormones and nitric oxide (NO) after end of treatment by Folltropin. Holstein Friesian (12) cows previously synchronized with CIDR underwent Doppler ultrasound after administrating of FSH daily for 4 days in eight injections started on day 10 of the second ovulation (day −5). Oestradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and nitric oxide (NOMs) were measured. During the follicular phase, follicle area and antrum area of the second cycle reached maximum value on the day of ovulation compared with that in the first cycle, while during the luteal phase, both showed a pattern of increase and decrease. The luteal area and total coloured area increased till day 10 in the first and second cycle. The first cycle ipsilateral ovarian artery (Ov.A) had higher pulsatility (PI) (p = .001), resistance (RI) (p = .001), peak velocity (PSV) (p = .009) and lower end-diastolic velocity (EDV) (p = .003) compared with the second cycle. The increased ipsilateral Ov.A PSV (p = .009) was accompanied by lower EDV. The first cycle ipsilateral middle uterine artery (MUA) had higher PI (p = .001) and RI (p = .001), with lower PSV (p = .001) and EDV (p = .001). It was concluded that blood flow of ovarian and middle uterine arteries changed after the end of superstimulation as the increased ipsilateral Ov. A and MUA PSVs accompanied by lower EDV and both Doppler indices that reflect the amount of ovarian and uterine blood flow waveform.     

Efficiency of uterine fluid cytology in the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

This study compared endometrial cytology vis‐a‐vis uterine fluid cytology for assessment of uterine health in clinically normal and subclinical endometritis (SE)‐affected buffaloes. Uterine fluid samples and endometrial samples were collected from the buffaloes (n = 38) at oestrus using blue sheath and cytobrush, respectively. The smears were stained with Field stain for 3 minutes, and a minimum of 400 cells were counted in each smear for determination of the percentage of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocyte. The incidence of subclinical endometritis, based on the cytobrush cytology, was 23.08%. The correlation between cytobrush cytology with uterine fluid cytology was positive and significant (r = .37; p = .02). The ratio of PMN leucocyte in cytobrush cytology to uterine fluid cytology was 1:2.4. ROC analysis revealed that the threshold value of 6.16% PMN leucocyte in uterine fluid cytology showed a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100% in differentiating normal from SE‐affected buffaloes. In conclusion, collection of uterine fluid was easier compared to collection of endometrial samples using cytobrush and the percentage of PMN leucocyte in uterine fluid cytology can be used as a tool for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in buffaloes.     

Supplementation of distiller's grains during late gestation in beef cows consuming low‐quality forage decreases uterine,but not mammary,blood flow

Positive effects have been observed in offspring from beef cows supplemented with corn dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) during late gestation. The hypothesis of this study was that late gestational DDGS supplementation to beef cows would increase blood flow (BF) to the gravid uterus and mammary gland thus impacting birthweight and post‐natal growth of the offspring. Experiment 1 investigated mammary gland BF in multiparous cows during late pregnancy. Beef cows were fed a control (CON1) diet of low‐quality hay (n = 5) or a supplement diet (SUP1) of low‐quality hay with DDGS [1.7 g/kg of body weight (BW); n = 6]. In Experiment 2, multiparous late pregnant beef cows were fed either a control (CON2) diet of a low‐quality hay (n = 4) or a supplement diet (SUP2) of low‐quality hay with DDGS (1.7 g/kg of BW; n = 5). Uterine and mammary gland BF were recorded every 21 days during late gestation. In Experiment 1, there were no effects of diet or day on mammary gland hemodynamics. In Experiment 2, total and ipsilateral uterine BF was less (p ≤ 0.04) in SUP2 vs. CON2 cows and similar BF to contralateral horns. Mammary gland BF was unaltered by maternal supplementation. Even when measured in two different years in two different environments, mammary gland BF remained unaltered to DDGS supplementation. Investigations on the mechanism that may impact uterine BF during late gestation remain to be known.     

Biochemical analysis of uterine fluid for identification of indicators for subclinical endometritis in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Alterations in biochemical constituents of uterine fluid have been suggested for diagnosis of subclinical uterine infection in the bovine. This study was undertaken to investigate whether uterine fluid biomolecules could act as tool for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in the buffalo. Uterine fluid samples from normal (n = 22) and subclinical endometritis (n = 18; diagnosed based on uterine cytology)‐affected buffaloes were subjected to biochemical analysis. Among the different biochemical constituents estimated, urea, urea N, cholesterol, total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in uterine fluid obtained from subclinical endometritis‐affected buffaloes. The extent of difference between normal and subclinical endometritis‐affected buffaloes was highest in ALP (69%) followed by cholesterol (55%), bilirubin (48%), urea (30%) and urea N (30%) concentrations. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that the likelihood ratio (LR) was 3.63 for urea, indicating that buffaloes having less than the threshold concentration (47.5 mg/dl) of urea in their uterine fluid were at 3.6 times more risk to be affected with SE. The LRs for urea N, cholesterol, ALP and bilirubin were 2.33, 2.54, 2.12 and 1.65, respectively. It was concluded that ALP, urea, urea N and cholesterol concentrations in uterine fluid may serve as an aid for diagnosing subclinical endometritis in the buffalo.     

大肠杆菌性子宫内膜炎对山羊血液和子宫内膜的影响

用致病性大肠杆菌经子宫角插管灌入子宫腔,以建立山羊子宫内膜炎疾病模型。经检测发现,致病性大肠杆菌在子宫静脉血液中呈一过性存在;子宫卵巢静脉和颈静脉血液中性粒细胞数量明显增加。其中,颈静脉血液嗜中性粒细胞增多明显于子宫静脉血液,颈静脉血液淋巴细胞降低明显于子宫静脉血液。病羊子宫黏膜损伤、炎性细胞浸润,子宫内膜上皮分泌细胞微绒毛和纤毛成片或部分脱落。     

Effects of a medetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol combination on renal cortical, intestinal and muscle microvascular blood flow in isoflurane anaesthetized dogs: a laser Doppler study

Objective To obtain renal cortical, ileal, colonic and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow measurements in dogs using the laser Doppler technique and to characterize the effects of medetomidine‐midazolam‐butorphanol combination on these flows. Study Design Prospective randomized experimental study. Animals Fourteen clinically normal beagles (two groups of seven), aged 1–4 years and weighing 13.2 ± 1.8 kg. Methods All dogs were anaesthetized with 1.7% end‐tidal isoflurane in oxygen. In the treatment group, after instrumentation and when anaesthesia was considered stable, medetomidine (1 mg m^?2 body surface area (BSA)) was administered intramuscularly (time 0). Midazolam (1 mg kg^?1) and butorphanol (0.1 mg kg^?1) were administered intravenously 20 minutes later. Atipamezole (2.5 mg m^?2 BSA) was administered intramuscularly 60 minutes after medetomidine. In the control group, saline (0.5, 2.5 and 0.25 mL) was administered at the corresponding times. Heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures, body temperature, renal cortical, ileal, colonic and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flows were measured before time 0, and 5, 15, 25, 40, 60, 65, 70 and 90 minutes thereafter. Results Heart rate, ileal and skeletal muscle blood flows decreased in the treatment group, while no changes were observed in the control group. Conclusions Laser Doppler flowmetry allowed the measurement of microvascular blood flow in different organs. The medetomidine‐midazolam‐butorphanol combination decreases intestinal and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flows, while renal cortical blood flow is maintained. Clinical relevance Medetomidine‐midazolam‐butorphanol combination can be used to induce a short duration anaesthesia in dogs, but it will induce cardiovascular depression. This depression appears to be accompanied by a redistribution of blood flow.     

Phagocytic and oxidative burst activity of phagocytic cells in peripheral blood and uterine washings in cows with clinical endometritis before and after intrauterine use of cephapirin and methisoprinol

The aim of the study was to evaluate phagocytic and killing activity of phagocytic cells in blood and uterine flush of cows with endometritis before and after intrauterine (i.u.) administration of cephapirin and methisoprinol. The research was carried out on 28 cows with clinical endometritis. Animals were divided into four groups, each composed of seven cows, depending on the i.u. treatment used: Group A—cephapirin; Group B—methisoprinol; Group C—cephapirin and methisoprinol at the same time; and a control group—without medication. Using flow cytometry technique, the phagocytic activity of granulocytes and monocytes was identified, as well as the oxidative burst activity of neutrophils in the peripheral blood and uterine washings. Summarizing the results of the research, i.u. infusion of cephapirin caused a reduction in the phagocytic and killing activity of phagocytes. The i.u. use of methisoprinol increased phagocytic and killing activity of phagocytes in the uterus. Administering both listed substances simultaneously showed a decrease in phagocytosis, presumably due to the dominating inhibitor effect of the antibiotic. However, also an increase of mean fluorescence intensity was observed, presumably caused by the methisoprinol. Intrauterine use of immunostimulatory substances, can improve the effectiveness of the treatment of endometritis in cows.     

日粮大豆磷脂对奶牛生产性能和血液生化指标的影响

为研究日粮大豆磷脂水平对泌乳早期奶牛生产性能、消化代谢和血液生化指标的影响,本试验选取8头初产泌乳早期中国荷斯坦奶牛,随机分成4组,每组2头,采用4×4重复拉丁方试验设计进行研究。4种日粮处理中大豆磷脂的添加量分别为日粮干物质基础的0,1%,2%和3%。结果显示:大豆磷脂对奶牛干物质采食量无显著影响(P>0.05),但提高了饲料转化率,尤其是2%添加组饲料转化率显著提高(P<0.05);与对照组相比,2%大豆磷脂组奶牛的产奶量、4%标准乳、日产乳脂量和乳蛋白量显著提高(P<0.05);各组间乳成分和乳体细胞数无显著差异(P>0.05);3%大豆磷脂水平显著降低了酸性洗涤纤维的表观消化率(P<0.05),极显著提高了血清甘油三酯含量(P<0.01),但对粗蛋白、粗脂肪及中性洗涤纤维的表观消化率无显著影响(P>0.05)。结果表明:日粮大豆磷脂能够提高奶牛产奶量,提高奶牛的健康状况和免疫机能,经济效益显著。在奶牛日粮中最佳添加量为2%(干物质基础)。     

Effect of acute intraocular pressure elevation on blood flow velocity and resistance in the rabbit ophthalmic artery

Objective To determine the effect of intraocular pressure (IOP) on blood flow velocity and resistance in the rabbit ophthalmic artery. Animals Ten adult New Zealand White rabbits were used. Procedures Right eyes were cannulated and the IOP was raised in a stepwise manner from 20 to 70 mmHg. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistive index (RI) in the ophthalmic artery were measured by color Doppler imaging. Values of PSV, EDV and RI were compared at various IOPs via the analysis of variance (anova ) of a randomized block design with post hoc Bonferroni test. Results Significant differences of PSV, EDV and RI at different IOP points (all P < 0.001) were observed. Over the entire IOP range, linear regression showed a negative correlation between IOP and both PSV and EDV (β = ?0.07434, P = 0.0020 and β = ?0.07829, P < 0.001, respectively), as well as a positive correlation between the RI and IOP (β = 0.00221, P < 0.001). Moreover, line plots identified a point with IOP = 40 mmHg, splitting the IOP range with different regression slopes. Piecewise linear regression indicated no correlation between PSV, EDV, RI and IOP when the IOP was elevated from 20 to 40 mmHg (P = 0.1832, P = 0.5932 and P = 0.5819, respectively). However, piecewise linear regression detected a stronger negative correlation between PSV, EDV and IOP (β = ?0.15760, P = 0.0011 and β = ?0.11872, P = 0.001, respectively) and a stronger positive correlation between RI and IOP (β = 0.00273, P = 0.0015) during the stage from 40 to 70 mmHg. Conclusions The ophthalmic artery in the rabbits was capable of maintaining normal blood velocity and resistance when IOP was below 40 mmHg. However, the autoregulatory capacity was greatly limited when IOP was over 40 mmHg.     

Effect of oxytocin infusion on luteal blood flow and progesterone secretion in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of oxytocin infusion on corpus luteum (CL) function during early to mid-diestrus by measuring luteal size (LS) and luteal blood flow (LBF) along with plasma levels of progesterone (P4) and prostaglandin metabolites (13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F_2α, PGFM). On day (D) 7 of the estrus cycle (D1 = ovulation), seven cows received 100 IU of oxytocin (OXY) or placebo (PL) following a Latin square design. LS and LBF increased in both groups over time and no differences were observed between the groups. PGFM did not differ either within the groups over time or between the groups at any time point. P4 of the OXY group was higher compared to that of the the PL group 360 min after the infusion (p = 0.01) and tended to be higher at the time points 450 min, 48 h, and 72 h (all p = 0.08). Results from this study support the hypothesis that OXY is not directly involved in the mechanism(s) governing blood flow of the CL and has no remarkable effects either on luteal size or P4 and PGFM plasma levels. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the role of OXY in CL blood flow during early and late luteal phases.     

子宫内膜炎患牛唾液生化变化的初步研究

[目的]探究子宫内膜炎患牛唾液生物标志物特点,[方法]研究收集试验组子宫内膜炎患牛和对照组健康奶牛唾液,针对所选10种生物标志物使用相关试剂盒在自动生化分析仪上进行检测,并将所得数据进行对比分析。[结果]相比健康奶牛,子宫内膜炎患牛唾液生物标志物的升高项为α唾液淀粉酶、皮质醇、乳酸和尿酸,而腺苷脱氨酶、乙酰胆碱酯酶水平、pH值、钠钾比则下降明显。[结论]说明应激、炎症和氧化应激在患子宫内膜炎奶牛体内的存在,钠营养状况略受影响。     

Effects of hypertonic dextrose and paraffin solution as non‐antibiotic treatments of clinical endometritis on reproductive performance of high producing dairy cows

The objective of this study was to compare the reproductive performance of cows affected by clinical endometritis (CE) following treatment with an intrauterine infusion of 50% dextrose solutions (DEX) and liquid paraffin (LP) as alternative therapies with routine treatments including PGF_2α injection and intrauterine infusion of oxytetracycline (OTC). Moreover, the reproductive indices of cows treated with endometritis were compared with those of healthy ones. At postpartum reproductive tract examination (28–35 DIM) in one Iranian dairy farm, cows with CE without any selection were assigned to four groups: (a) OTC, a common treatment in Iran, was administered (5 g) to 396 cows, (b) PGF₂α (PG) was injected to 496 cows, (c) dextrose solution (DEX): intrauterine infusion of 50% dextrose solution (200 ml) was done in 427 cows, and (d) liquid paraffin (LP) was administered (100 ml) to 423 cows via intrauterine route. We further assigned 2,233 clinically healthy cows to the control group. The incidence of endometritis was 41.6% in this study. Based on the results of reproductive indices including median days to first AI, days open (DO), first service conception rate, conception rate in 2nd and 3rd services, conception rate in all three services, pregnancy rate < 100 days and pregnancy rate < 200 days, except for median days to first AI in other reproductive indexes, reproductive performance was significantly lower in LP group compared with the healthy cows and other treatment groups (p < 0.05). Except for the first service conception rate and proportion of cows pregnant before 100 days in milk (DIM), there existed no significant difference between the DEX group and the control as far as reproductive performance is concerned (p ≥ 0.05). The first service conception rate was recognizably lower in DEX group compared with OTC and PG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of a non‐antibiotic special solution of dextrose 50% is a good alternative to antibiotic agents concerning the treatment of CE in dairy cows.     

中西药复方乳剂对子宫内膜炎奶牛血清NO、SA、MDA含量及SOD、NOS活性影响的研究

应用中西药复方乳剂对子宫内膜炎奶牛进行临床治疗试验,于试验第0、3、5、7、9天分别采集血样,测定血清中NO、SA、MDA含量及SOD、NOS活性。结果表明,中西药复方乳剂能明显降低血清中NO、SA、MDA含量及NOS活性,同时提高血清中SOD活性。