Stress and Uterine Bacterial Flora in Dairy Cows Following Clinically Normal and Abnormal Puerperium.

Abstract

ACTH challenge tests for the assessment of stress on the first and third week postpartum and bacteriologic examination of uterine swabs on the second and fourth week, were conducted in dairy cows following clinically normal (n=12) and abnormal (n=21) puerperium. Postpartum ovarian activity and uterine involution were also investigated. The basal plasma cortisol concentrations (mean ± S.E.) during the first and third week postpartum were 3.1 ± 0.9 ng/ml and 3.4 ± 1.1 ng/ml in normal cows, and 6.5 ± 1.9 ng/ml and 4.9 ± 1.2 ng/ml in abnormal cows, respectively. The mean basal plasma cortisol values of abnormal cows were elevated and significantly higher (P<0.05) during the first week postpartum. Bacterial organisms were isolated from the uterus of 33.3% of normal and 61.9% of abnormal cows during the second week postpartum and in 33.3% of normal and 23.8% of abnormal cows during the fourth week. Resumption of ovarian activity was neither affected by puerperal disorders nor uterine bacterial infection. Uterine involution at 4 weeks postpartum was completed in all cows with normal puerperium and delayed in 23.8% of abnormal cows. The results indicate that cows with abnormal puerperium had significantly higher basal cortisol levels, and had higher occurrence of uterine bacterial infection during the second week when compared with normal cows.

Microbiota cérvico-vaginal de ovelhas mestiças e sua susceptibilidade aos antibióticos

“…O oportunismo dessas infecções é decorrente do manejo que é aplicado às fêmeas, principalmente o manejo alimentar no pós-parto, em que o animal se apresenta mais susceptível às doenças. Torres et al (1997) observaram associação entre estresse e a ocorrência de infecções bacterianas no útero de vacas leiteiras, principalmente durante o período pós-parto. A microbiota normal residente protege o hospedeiro contra a colonização por essas bactérias potencialmente patogênicas.…”

Bovine Reproductive Ultrasonography: A Review

“…In a recent study, Torres et al [100] monitored uterine involution in 33 dairy cows and reported that uterine involution was completed at 4 weeks postpartum in cows with normal puerperium (n=12) but was delayed in 23.8% of cows with abnormal puerperium (n=21).…”