Incidence of Dystocia and Perinatal Calf Mortality Resulting from Reciprocal Crossing of Double-muscled and Normal Cattle

In order to study the incidence and causes of dystocia and perinatal calf mortality in double-muscled cattle, straight and reciprocal matings between double-muscled and normal cattle were made in three breeding seasons. A total of 348 matings resulted in 247 calvings in the four mating types. The frequency of normal calvings or calvings requiring slight assistance was higher among normal cows mated to double-muscled or normal bulls compared with that of double-muscled cows mated to double-muscled bulls (94% vs 78%, P < 0.05). In general the incidence of dystocia was higher among the double-muscled than the normal cows (19% vs 6%, P < 0.05). Calf birth weight, dam weight at calving, and condition score were not shown to contribute significantly to the differences in the frequencies of dystocia. A higher incidence of dystocia was found in the mating type which frequently gave rise to phenotypically muscular calves (DM × DM). The height, width, and area of pelvic opening were significantly smaller (P < 0.05) in the double-muscled than in the normal cows, indicating that the higher incidence of dystocia and perinatal mortality in double-muscled cattle can be attributed, at least partially, to the smaller area of pelvic opening in the double-muscled cattle.     

Discriminant analysis for predicting dystocia in beef cattle. II. Derivation and validation of a prebreeding prediction model

Discriminant analysis was utilized to derive and validate a model for predicting dystocia using only data available at the beginning of the breeding season. Data were collected from 211 Chianina crossbred cows (2 to 6 yr old) bred to Chianina bulls. A proportionally stratified sampling procedure divided females into an analysis sample (n = 134) on which the model was derived and a hold-out sample (n = 77) on which the prediction model was validated (tested). Variables available during the derivation stage were cow age, cow weight, pelvic height, pelvic width, pelvic area and calf sire. Dystocia was categorized as either unassisted or assisted. Occurrence of dystocia was 17.2 and 18.2% in the analysis and hold-out samples, respectively. All data were standardized to a mean of zero and a variance of one before statistical analysis. The centroid of cows experiencing dystocia differed (P less than .01) from that of cows calving unassisted in the analysis sample. Significant variables were pelvic area and cow age (standardized coefficients = .56 and .51, respectively). This model correctly classified 85.1% of the cows in the analysis sample. This was 13.5% greater than the proportional chance criterion. For model validation, prediction accuracy was 84.4% in the hold-out group, which was 14.2% greater than the proportional chance criterion. However, only 57.1% of the cows that experienced dystocia were correctly classified. Examination of the data revealed that those cows misclassified were 3 yr of age or older.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Relationship of maternal plasma progesterone and estrone sulfate to dystocia in Holstein-Friesian heifers and cows.

Thirteen primiparous and 41 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cattle were used to study the relationship between maternal plasma progesterone (P4) and estrone sulfate (E1S) concentrations and the prevalence of dystocia. The calvings in 4 heifers and 30 cows were normal (eutocia), while the calvings in 9 heifers and 11 cows were difficult (dystocia). Neither the concentrations of P4 nor E1S were different between the groups with eutocia and dystocia from days 90 to 270 of pregnancy. However, a few days prior to parturition, eutocial cows and heifers showed a sharp decline of plasma P4, while dystocial cattle did not show such a remarkable decline of P4 concentration. Plasma P4 levels in dystocial cows a few days antepartum were significantly higher than in eutocial animals (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Prepartum E1S concentrations were significantly lower (P<0.05) in dystocial than eutocial cattle during the prepartum period from days 6 to 1 in heifers and from days 3 to 1 in cows. These results suggest that insufficient production of E1S and delayed regression of the corpora lutea are possible causes of dystocia in cattle.     

母牛难产的风险病因--基于系列案例研究

[目的]难产是繁殖母牛的常见疾病,危害母牛和犊牛健康,进行难产牛原因分析有助于兽医或者牛场做好接产工作,提高生产力。 [方法]在万方数据服务平台、CNKI中国知网、Elsevier SD数据库和“SCI-科学引文索引”上,用关键词“难产”、“病例”、“牛”精确搜索我国相关的案例,统计筛除后的病例数,对牛难产原因进行统计和分析。 [结果]检索获得母牛难产的病例总数为753例,难产原因占比最大的是胎儿性难产有525例,占69.72%(95%CI 66.3-73.0);其次是产道异常（骨折造成骨盆畸形,子宫颈、阴道、阴门狭窄造成的产道异常）造成的难产89例,占11.82%(95%CI 9.6-14.3);阵缩及努责无力造成的难产41例,占5.44%(95%CI 3.9-7.3);子宫扭转造成的难产38例,占5.05%(95%CI 3.6-6.9);子宫颈开张不全造成的难产26例,占3.46%(95%CI 2.3-5.0);营养不良造成的难产18例,占2.39%(95%CI 1.4-3.8);双胎难产9例,占1.20%(95%CI 0.5-2.3);人为因素和其他因素造成的难产有7例,占0.93%（95%CI 0.4-1.9）。 [结论]引起母牛难产的最主要的因素是胎儿性难产、产道异常。兽医在实际临床中,应快速、准确确定母牛难产的病因,采取对应接产措施,减少经济损失。     

The incidence of cervical dystocia and disorders of cervical involution in the post partum cow

The aim of this study was to obtain information on the frequency of cervical dystocia and involution disorders of the canalis cervicalis after difficult dystocia and to characterise factors possibly influencing these pathological conditions. Therefore 317 difficult births in the cow (extraction: 123; foetotomy: 82; caesarean section: 112) and the involution of the cervical canal were documented during the first ten days post partum. In total a cervical dystocia could be diagnosed 53 times (16.7% related to the total number of births). This kind of birth disorder is regularly followed by a caesarean section (p < 0.001). Animals who show a narrowness in the cervix were older than the cows without cervical dystocia (p < 0.05). The same correlation could be detected for the number of births. Animals with delivery problems associated with the cervix had already given birth to more calves than cows who were not affected by cervical disorders (p < 0.01). 58 cows developed a disorder of the cervical involution (18.3% related to the total number of deliveries). This puerperal disorder can be frequently observed after foetotomy (p < 0.001). A correlation between the incidence of disorders of cervical involution and the age or the parity of the animals could not be detected. In the same way, cows with a diagnosis of a cervical dystocia did not develop more frequently disorders of cervical involution than animals who showed a physiological dilation of the cervical canal intra partum.     

Twinning in cattle: III. Effects of twinning on dystocia, reproductive traits, calf survival, calf growth and cow productivity

An evaluation of natural twinning in beef cattle revealed that cows birthing twins had shorter (P less than .01) gestation lengths, more (P less than .01) retained placentas, more (P less than .01) dystocia, more (P less than .01) days to estrus, lower (P less than .01) conception rates and more (P less than .01) days to pregnancy than cows birthing singles. Days to estrus, conception rate and days to pregnancy were not affected by number of calves reared (1 vs 2) in cows birthing twins. Survival at birth was greater (P less than .01) for single- than for twin-born calves, but twins and singles did not differ (P greater than .05) in postnatal survival. When dystocia was experienced, calf survival at birth was 95% vs 73% for singles vs twins compared with 99% vs 92% when no dystocia was experienced. Calves born twins were lighter (P less than .01) at birth, 100 d and 200 d, but twins and singles did not differ in postweaning gains. Total calf weights at 100 d per cow calving were 12% greater (P less than .01) in cows birthing twins vs singles when twin calves reared by foster dams were excluded. The potential increase in cow productivity for total calf weight at 100 d is 40% if calf survival rates of twins with dystocia relative to survival rates of twins without dystocia were comparable to survival rates of singles with and without dystocia, and if cows birthing twins were fed and managed to obtain conception rates equal to those of cows birthing singles. Identification of cows gestating twins to provide for their higher prepartum nutritive requirements and calving assistance at parturition is necessary to make twinning in cattle an economically viable technology.     

The effect of twinning on milk yield,dystocia, calf birth weight and open days in Holstein dairy cows of Iran

Calving records of Iranian Holsteins from April 1998 to September 2006 comprising 16 herds with 104 572 calving events representing 4045 twin births were used to evaluate reported open days, calving difficulties and calf birth weight in single‐ and twin‐births and the relationship exists between twinning and milk production. A logistic regression model was constructed to analyse dystocia for single‐ and twin‐births. In addition, statistical analyses of 305‐day milk yield, open days and calf birth weight were performed using the general linear models procedure. The odds of dystocia was greater after twin births [p < 0.0001; odds ratio (OR) = 2.32]. The odds of dystocia decreased from parity 1 to parity 2 and beyond (p < 0.0001; OR = 0.44). Open days were significantly different between single (129.28 days) and twin (144.88 days) births (p < 0.05). Calf birth weights were significantly greater for singletons than twins (43.33 kg vs. 34.36 kg; p < 0.05). In addition, twin‐calved cows had greater 305‐day milk production than single‐calved cows (p < 0.05). In general, development of practical management strategies to cope with the negative effects associated with twinning on dairies is critical, especially if the trend towards increased twinning in the dairy cattle population continues.     

Effects of bovine leukemia virus infection on production and reproduction in dairy cattle.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection on production, reproduction and longevity in dairy cattle. The study population was a commercial Holstein dairy herd of approximately 400 milking cows. Cattle were tested for antibodies to BLV at least annually for three years and when culled. Four groups of culled cows were compared: seronegative cows (n = 79), seropositive cows without lymphocytosis (n = 176), seropositive cows with lymphocytosis (> or = 9,000 lymphocytes/microliter) (n = 74), and seropositive cows with lymphosarcoma (n = 29). Seropositive groups of cows were bred more times and had longer calving intervals than seronegative cows. The seropositive groups had greater 305-day ME (mature equivalent) FCM (3.5% fat-corrected milk) per lactation and were older when culled than seronegative cows. However, the percent fat per lactation was greater in seronegative cows. In the last complete lactation, differences in 305-day ME FCM, days open and cull age between groups were reduced and none were significant (p > 0.05). In the cull lactation, only cows with lymphocytosis had reduced milk production relative to seronegative cows, although this difference was not significant. After adjustment for initial production and reproductive values, only seropositive nonlymphocytotic cows were culled at a significantly older age than seronegative cattle. Lymphocytotic cows were culled four months younger on average than nonlymphocytotic seropositive cows. Hence, BLV infected cows had greater milk production on average than uninfected cows. Adverse effects of BLV infection were primarily limited to lymphocytotic cows which were culled earlier and had reduced milk production in the cull lactation.     

母牛难产的原因及解决方法

[目的]为了寻求本地黄牛母牛难产的原因和解决方法。[方法]2013年对5081头母牛的产犊情况进行统计分析。[结果]在统计产犊的母牛中,本地母牛为4018头,西本杂母牛为1063头,难产率最高的是本地母牛×西门塔尔,难产率为7.98%,其后依次为本地母牛×利木赞（6.55%）,西本杂母牛×西门塔尔（4.65%）,本地牛×安格斯（3.1%）,难产率最低的是本地母牛×本地公牛,难产率为0.85%。[结论]可采取科学选配、控制营养等方法来减少难产的发生率;采取科学的接产方法,能有效解决难产问题。     

The predictive value of pelvimetry in beef cattle.

To elucidate reasons for failure of pelvimetry to predict dystocia, we collected data from 1146 heifers and 210 cows in five beef cow herds in Saskatchewan. We assessed the reliability of pelvic area measurements, the generalizability of findings, various modifications of the technique, and the statistical association between pelvic area measurements and dystocia. The repeatability (kappa) of pelvic area measurements between and within veterinarians for the Rice and Krautmann pelvimeters were low to moderate, indicating pelvic area measurements were imprecise. The positive predictive values and sensitivities of pelvic area measurements were consistently poor across herds, years of study, breeds of heifers, times of measurement, various pelvic area cut-off points, and sires. Various modifications of the technique, including pelvic area/calf birth weight ratios, pelvic area/heifer weight ratios, and Ko's calving prediction equation were also poor on-farm tests for predicting dystocia. Although the mean pelvic area in heifers with dystocia was smaller than those without dystocia, there was a large overlap in the distribution of their measurements. Far too many heifers with a small pelvic area had no dystocia (false positives) and far too many heifers with a large pelvic area had dystocia (false negatives) for pelvimetry to be useful. We conclude there is little evidence to justify the continued use of pelvimetry as an on-farm test to reduce dystocia in beef cattle.     

Effect of intrauterine antibiotic treatment on reproductive performance of dairy cows following periparturient disease

AIMS: To quantify the effect of treating lactating dairy cows that had histories of periparturient disorders or disease with a single intrauterine infusion of 0.5 g cephapirin, 3-6 weeks prior to the start of the seasonal breeding period. METHODS: Cows (n=690) from spring-calving dairy herds (n=22) were enrolled in a prospective case-control study if they had a history of dystocia, a dead calf at calving or within 24 h of calving, retained foetal membranes (RFM), metabolic disease, twins or a vulval discharge 13 days postpartum. Cows were blocked by age, periparturient condition and calving date, and randomly assigned to be either treated with 0.5 g of cephapirin by intrauterine infusion, or left as untreated controls. Treatment occurred 24-42 days before the planned start of mating (PSM) within each herd. In addition, the reproductive tracts of 91 cows from 4 herds were examined using a vaginal speculum and rectal palpation and cervical-os discharge was scored on a scale from 0 (nil) to 3 (purulent). RESULTS: Overall, more treated cows were retained in the trial herds until pregnancy testing than control cows (p0.05). Average 28-day submission rate was higher (93.1% vs 87.1%; p0.05) and PSM-to-first-service interval was shorter (9+/-1 vs 11+/-1 days; p0.05) in treated than control cows. The percentage of cows not pregnant at the end of the mating period was not affected by treatment overall. However, amongst cows diagnosed with RFM, a dead calf, or vulval discharge, pregnancy rates 28 and 56 days after PSM were higher for treated than control cows (p0.05). Cows with a purulent cervical-os discharge had lower 28-day submission rates (p0.01), lower 28-day pregnancy rates (p0.05) and higher non-pregnant rates at the end of mating than cows with nil or mucoid cervical-os discharges. CONCLUSIONS: Intrauterine treatment with 0.5 g cephapirin improved reproductive performance of dairy cattle, especially those that had a history of RFM, a calf dead at calving or within 24 h of calving, or a vulval discharge.     

Prevalence and genotypes of Giardia duodenalis in dairy and beef cattle in farms around Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in dairy and beef cattle on farms around Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (Canada) was determined by analyzing feces using direct immunofluorescence antibody microscopy. Genotypes were determined by 16S-rRNA sequencing. Fecal samples (n = 892) were collected from adult cattle in dairy tie-stall, dairy free-stall, and beef herds (10 herds each), and from calves (n = 183) from 11 dairy farms. Prevalence rates were 38% and 51% in cows and calves, respectively. Giardia duodenalis was present in all dairy herds, in 9/10 beef herds and in calves from 10/11 herds examined. Prevalence rates were 40% and 41% for cows in tie- and free-stall herds, respectively, and 27% for beef cows. Zoonotic Assemblage A was found in 12.2% of calves concomitantly infected with Assemblage E. All successfully sequenced samples (114/128) from cows corresponded to Assemblage E. Giardia duodenalis is highly prevalent in cattle herds in Prince Edward Island and Assemblage A in calves is a potential public health concern.     

Prevalence and risk factors for dystocia in dairy cattle: a review

This review focuses on the case definition of dystocia, its current prevalence and recent temporal trends, the different types of dystocia and their associated risk factors in dairy cattle. The reported dystocia rates in dairy cattle internationally are generally <5%, apart from those in the United States, where they are higher. Given the skewed distribution of herd dystocia rates, average figures mask high prevalence herds. Phenotypic dystocia trends are generally increasing internationally and this trend has been partially attributed to the introduction of Holstein genes. The principal types of dystocia differ between primiparae and pluriparae, with feto-pelvic disproportion (FPD) predominating in the former and fetal malposition in the latter. In order of importance, the two major determinants of FPD are calf birthweight and maternal pelvic size. Abnormal fetal position is most influenced by the number of fetuses, parity and calf sire breed. Adequate weighting of dystocia in selection indices, achievement of heifer rearing targets prior to both service and calving, and appropriate periparturient management decisions are prerequisites for controlling dystocia in dairy cattle.     

Active immunization against inhibin improves superovulatory response to exogenous FSH in cattle

The effect of active immunization against inhibin on the response to superovulatory treatment by porcine FSH (pFSH) was investigated in cattle. Japanese black cows were sc injected with 1 mg of porcine inhibin alpha-subunit fragment (1-26) conjugated with rabbit serum albumin (inhibin-immunized group; n=14) or rabbit serum albumin alone (control group; n=12) in Freund's complete adjuvant. Booster injections (half the amount of the primary injection) were given 35 and 70 days after the primary injection. All cows were superovulated three times with pFSH. Three days after each injection of the antigen, a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (CIDR-B) was inserted vaginally into all animals and left in place for 10 days. Forty-eight hours before CIDR-B removal, all animals were sc injected with 30 mg pFSH dissolved in 40% polyvinylpyrrolidone, and im injected with 750 microg of PGF2alpha at CIDR-B removal. Cows were artificially inseminated twice during estrus, and ova or embryos were collected 7 or 8 days after estrus. The number of corpora lutea, the number of ova or embryos and the number of transferable embryos in inhibin-immunized cows (12.1+/-1.2, 11.1+/-1.3 and 6.2+/-1.0, respectively) were significantly greater than those in the controls (8.2+/-1.0, 5.7+/-1.1 and 3.1+/-0.7, respectively). These results indicate that active immunization against inhibin enhanced ovarian response to the usual superovulatory treatment in cattle. Therefore, immunization against inhibin may be a useful approach for improving the response to superovulation in cattle.     

Discriminant analysis for predicting dystocia in beef cattle. I. Comparison with regression analysis

Data from 131 calvings of Chianina crossbred cows (2 to 5 yr old) bred to Chianina bulls were used to compare stepwise multiple regression analysis (RA) and stepwise, two-group discriminant analysis (DA) for predicting dystocia. Variables (21) studied in relation to dystocia included both prebreeding and precalving cow and calf effects. Calving was categorized as either unassisted or assisted without regard to the severity of dystocia. During this study, 30 (22.9%) assisted births occurred. All variables were standardized to a mean of zero and a variance of one before statistical analyses. Models were developed based on precalving variables and with both precalving and postcalving variables with both RA and DA. Average discriminant scores (centroids) were different (P less than .01) between assisted and unassisted cows. Significant precalving DA variables were cow age and precalving pelvic height. This model correctly predicted 26 of 30 (86.7%) of the occurrences of dystocia. Significant precalving RA variables were prebreeding pelvic width and precalving pelvic height. The amount of variation accounted for by these two factors was 31.5%. Calf birth weight, calf chest depth, calf height, precalving pelvic area, cow age and precalving cow weight were selected by DA for use in the combined precalving and postcalving prediction model. Calf birth weight was 58% more important than either pelvic size or cow age. Percentage correctly classified with this model was 87.4. Significant postcalving variables selected by RA in order of importance were prebreeding pelvic width, calf birth weight and calf shoulder width (R2 = .399).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

产后20天应用氯前列烯醇对分娩期和产后期异常奶牛繁殖指标的影响

本试验选用276头高产中国荷斯坦牛为研究对象,其中120头初产奶牛和156头经产奶牛均表现为分娩期异常或产后期异常,如难产、胎衣不下、双胎难产、早产或子宫感染。试验牛被分为处理组与对照组。处理组在产后20d间隔811连续两次皮下注射氯前列烯醇（0.4mg/次）,对照组注射4．0mL灭菌生理盐水。然后观察其首次发情的时间、适合第一次人工授精的时间、首次授精妊娠率、150d妊娠率、产后的空怀天数、重复配种奶牛的比例和每头牛的授精次数。结果表明,产后应用前列腺素对产后首次发情的时间和产后首次人工授精的时间没有影响,但处理组奶牛首次人工授精的妊娠率明显升高,这在头胎牛更为明显;产后应用氯前列烯醇可明显减少平均授精次数、缩短产后空怀时间、增加产后150d泌乳奶牛的妊娠率、降低产犊后重复配种率。     

Clinical signs and diagnosis of a severe primary infection with BVDV subtype 1b in a dairy herd

As a result of a BVDV infection in a herd consisting of 95 adult cattle 17 cows aborted their calves within a period of 3.5 months, one third got severe diarrhoea, 3 cows died and an increased percentage of the cattle got lochiometra after calving or abortion. The disease was diagnosed by paired serological testing of cattle with diarrhoea or abortion and post mortem examination of several aborted calves. From one foetus BVDV virus was isolated and subsequently subtyped by sequencing. Of aborting cattle, the testing results were influenced by the interval between infection and abortion. These results indicate that a primary infection with BVDV subtype 1b can cause severe clinical symptoms in a dairy herd.     

Strategy for the treatment of puerperal metritis and improvement of reproductive efficiency in cows with retained placenta

The objective of this study was to improve the reproductive efficiency of dairy cows with puerperal metritis (PM) subsequent to retained placenta (RP) using a two-step treatment strategy. A total of 188 postpartum cows, aged from 2 to 8 years, were utilised for 2 experiments. In Experiment 1, cows affected with RP/PM were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Cows in Group A (n = 17) were treated with 600 mg of ceftiofur intramuscularly for 3 days followed by intrauterine lavage with 0.1% chlorhexidine and infusion with 0.5% povidoneiodine, while cows in Group B (n = 16) received two intrauterine infusions, first with 5 g of oxytetracycline and then with 0.5% povidone-iodine. Cows with normal postpartum findings were regarded as the healthy control group (n = 26). Ultrasonographic examination revealed that the ovarian activities including the appearance of a dominant follicle and days to first ovulation of the cows in Group A during the early postpartum period differed from those of Group B (P < 0.05), which coincided with the results of uterine swabbing for bacteriology. In Experiment 2, cows with normal postpartum findings were allocated to Group D (n = 78), which received an ovulation protocol (GnRH - 7 d PGF2α - 48 h hCG - 24 h AI) on day 50 ± 2 postpartum. Cows affected with PM were randomly divided into two groups, Group E (n = 25) combined the treatments applied in Groups A and D, while Group F (n = 26) repeated the treatment administered in Group E except for uterine lavage. The results indicated that the pregnancy rate within 150 days postpartum and the mean days open in Group E (76.0% and 106.3 ± 4.6 days, respectively) were significantly different from those in Group F (38.5% and 137.9 ± 10.9 days, respectively) (P < 0.05). This study suggests that reproductive efficiency could be improved by using the two-step treatment to regulate uterine involution and an early resumption of ovarian function in cows with RP/PM.     

肉牛难产主要因素分析

难产(dystocia)是母畜分娩时胎儿娩出缓慢或难以娩出,需要助产帮助胎儿娩出的过程。难产既会导致母牛出现生殖道疾病而影响其后的发情和繁殖,也会危及犊牛和母牛的生命,严重损害养牛经济效益。引起肉牛难产的因素很多,有遗传因素和非遗传因素,包括母牛因素、胎儿因素、公牛因素、营养因素与环境因素等。犊牛出生重、母体骨盆结构和妊娠时长是3个最主要的因素。多种因素的交叉互作,使难产成为极其复杂的生理与病理现象。国际牛业发达国家非常重视母牛繁殖与生产环节,开展了大量卓有成效的研究与分析。在对几十年来有关肉牛繁殖与生产方面的报道较为细致分析基础上,文章重点对普通肉牛繁殖与生产过程中出现的主要难产问题进行综述,供国内同行借鉴。     

Untersuchungen über den Einfluß verschiedener Haltungsbedingungen auf postpartale Regenerationsvorgange am Genitaltrakt von Milchkühen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Progesteronprofile

Inhalt Der Einfluβ zweier Haltungssysteme auf den puerperalen und nachpuerperalen Abschnitt wurde bei 72 Kühen (32 in der Anbindehaltung und 40 in der Laufstallhaltung) untersucht. Die rektale und vaginale Kontrolle erfolgte von der Geburt an in fünf- bis siebentägigen Abständen, die Milchprobenentnahme für die Progesteronbestimmung in dreitägigen Intervallen bis zum 72. Tag p.p. Für die Progesteronbestimmung im Milchfett wurde der Enzymimmuntest eingesetzt, für den sich in Vorversuchen bei Parallelmessungen von 360 Proben mit dem Radioimmuntest ein Korrelationskoeffizient von r = 0,973 ermitteln lieβ. Kühe in Boxenlaufstallhaltung wiesen insgesamt ein geringeres Internall zwischen Geburt und abgeschlossener Uterusinvolution auf als Tiere in der Anbindehaltung (22,5 ± 4,1 gegenüber 27,3 ± 6,1 Tage: p ≤ 0,05). Die gleiche Tendenz war auch dann gegeben, wenn Komplikationen intra partum oder in der Nachgeburtsperiode aufgetreten waren (Uterusinvolutionsdauer 24,8 ± 6,1 gegenüber 31,6 ± 3,6 Tage). Die Uterusinvolution primiparer Tiere verlief schneller als die der sekundo- oder pluriparen (22,6 ± 3,0; 24,8 ± 7,8; 2 7,1 ± 5,6 Tage). Im Hinblick auf den Wiederbeginn der Ovarfunktion waren unabhängig von der Haltungsart vier Grundtypen anhand des Verlaufs der Progesteronkurve zu differenzieren: 1. relativ früher Beginn der Ovarfunktion (15. -25. Tag p.p.) mit zyklischen Progesteronprofilen bei 20,4% der Tiere, 2. verzögerter Beginn der Ovarfunktion, gekennzeichnet durch anund abfallende Progesteronkonzentrationen am Ende des klinischen Puerperiums (< 30 Tage p.p.) bei 34,7% der Tiere; 3. erster Anstieg der Progesteronkonzentration weit nach Abschluβ des klinischen Puerperiums (40. bis 72. Tag p.p.) bei 40,8% der Tiere; 4. unveränderter Progesteronbasisspiegel (< 30 ng/ml Milchfett) innerhalb des Probenentnahmezeitraums (bis 72. Tag p.p.) bei 4,1% der Tiere. Der erste Progesteronanstieg bei Kühen in der Anbindehaltung trat später auf als bei den Tieren in der Laufstallhaltung (43,0 ± 16,6 bzw. 36,4 ± 14,4 Tage p.p.). Im Durchschnitt wiesen Kühe mit Störungen in der Geburts- und Nachgeburtsphase den ersten deutlichen zyklusähnlichen Progesteronanstieg rund 5 Tage später auf als die ohne Komplikationen (44,8 ± 15,6 gegenüber 40,2 ± 15,1 Tage). Die Inzidenz von Ouarialzysten lag bei Kühen in der Anbindehaltung höher (n = 5) als bei den Tieren im Boxenlaufstall (n = 1). Eine ähnliche Tendenz war bei funktionslosen Ovarien gegeben (Anbindehaltung 4 Kühe, Boxenlaufstallhaltung 1 Kuh). Der Wiederbeginn der Ovarfunktion war bei Färsen (bei frühzeitiger Uterusinvolution) verzögert, ein erster Anstieg der Progesteronkonzentration zeigte sich erst 45,3 ± 13,8 Tage p.p. Demgegenüber lag dieser bei sekundo- und pluriparen Kühen bereits 28,1 ± 12,4 bzw. 39,3 ± 15,0 Tage p.p. Bei Kühen ohne Endometritis puerperalis begann die Ovarfunktion 36,2 ± 14,9 Tage p.p. und damit etwa 9 Tage früher als bei Kühen mit Endometritis (45,5 ± 12,2; p ≤ 0,05). Bezüglich ungestörten Geburts- und p.p.- Verlauf konzipierten die Tiere in der Laufstallhaltung 20 Tage früher als die angebundenen und benötigten 1,2 ± 0,5 Inseminationen pro Gravidität gegenüber 1,8 ± 1,1 bei den letzteren. Contents: Investigations on the influence of different housing conditions on the post-partal restauration of the genital tract of dairy cows with special emphasis on progesterone profiles In the present work the influence of 2 different housing systems on the puerperal and post puerperal period was examined in 72 cows (32 in stanchion barn and 40 in loose housing system). The rectal and vaginal control was made from the partus until the 72nd day p.p. in a five to seven days interval. Milk samples were taken for progesterone analysis every 3 days up to day 72 p.p. Progesterone in milkfat was analysed by an enzyme-immuno-assay. In pilot studies using 360 samples for parallel measurements with radioimmunoassay a correlation coefficient of r = 0.973 was found. Cows in loose housing system expressed a shorter interval between parturition and finished uterine involution than cows in a stanchion barn (22.5 ± 4.1 vs 27.3 ± 6.1 days; p ≤ 0.05). The same tendency did also exist after complications either during parturition or during the p.p. period (uterine involution 24.8 ± 6.1 vs 31.6 ± 3.6 days). The involution of the uterus by primiparous animals was quicker than the one of secundiparous or pluriparous (22.6 ± 3.0; 24.8 ± 7.8; 27.1 ± 5.6 days). Four basal types of progesterone profiles could be differentiated independently of the management system: 1) Early resumption of ovarian function (15.–25. day p.p.) with subsequent cyclic progesterone pattern in 20.4% of the animals. 2) Retarded starfs of ovarian function characterized by increasing and decreasing progesterone concentrations at the end of the clinical puerperium (≈ 30 days p.p.) in 34.7% of animals. 3) First increase of progesterone during days 40–72 p.p. in 40.8% of the animals (long time after the end of clinical puerperium). 4) Unchanged basal progesterone concentration (<30 ng/ml milkfat) until the end of sampling period (up to 72nd day p.p.) in 4.1% of the animals. The first progesterone increase occurred later in the cows in stanchion barn than in cows in loose housing system (43.0 ± 16.6 vs 36.4 ± 14.4 days p.p.). Animals having had complications either during parturition or the p.p. period revealed a first progesterone increase 5 days later than cows without problems (44.8 ± 15.6 vs 42.1 ± 15.1 days). There was a high incidence of the cystic ovarian syndroms in cows in the stanchion barn compared to the loose housed ones (n = 5 vs n = 1). A similar trend was obvious in animals with a functional ovaries (stanchion barn n = 4, loose housing n = 1). The resumption of ovarian function was delayed in heifers even when the animals had revealed an earlier involution of the uterus; the first progesterone increase happened 45.3 ± 13.8 days p.p. This was contrary to the secundiparous or pluriparous animals in which the 1st progesterone increase occurred 28.1 ± 12.4 and 39.3 ± 15.0 days p.o., respectively. The ovarian function started at 36.2 ± 14.9 days p.o. in cows without endometritis and at 45.5 ± 12.2 days (p ≤ 0.05) in cows having had endometritis. Animals in the loose housing system which had had no puerperal disturbances got conception 20 days earlier than the animals in the stanchion barn. They needed also with 1.2 ± 0.5 inseminations/pregnancy less than cows in stanchion barn (1.8 ± 1.1).