Transrectal Doppler sonography of uterine blood flow during the first two weeks after parturition in Simmenthal heifers

Abstract

Transrectal Doppler sonography was used to evaluate uterine blood flow during the first two weeks after parturition in six primiparous Simmental cows. The uterine blood flow was evaluated on the day of parturition (Day 0), once daily from Days 1 to 8 and then every other day until Day 14. Blood flow was quantified by determining the diameter (D), the time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMV), the pulsatility index (PI) and the blood flow volume (BFV) of the uterine arteries ipsilateral and contralateral to the formerly pregnant uterine horn. During the first four days after calving D, TAMV and BFV declined (ipsilateral: TAMV 70%, BFV 87%, contralateral: D 47%, BFV 84%; p < 0.05), while PI increased (ipsilateral 158%, contralateral 100%; p < 0.05) distinctly. Between Days 4 and 14 only the ipsilateral D (12%) and the BFV of both arteries (ipsilateral 5%, contralateral 8%) decreased (p < 0.05). Blood flow variables were very strongly correlated with each other (r > ±0.75, p < 0.05), with negative correlations with PI and positive correlations with all other investigated factors. Overall, this study revealed characteristic changes in uterine perfusion during the first two weeks after parturition in cows that were pronounced during the first four days postpartum.

The effects of varying levels of dietary starch on reproductivetraits in lactating dairy cows

“…Previous studies indicated that many factors affect involution, including uterine infections, parity, and seasons (27). One study indicated that suppression of the early resumption of cyclicity improved uterine involution in cows with and without uterine diseases (28). In this study, the time of the first postpartum ovulation was determined to have occurred on approximately the expected day (7,16,22).…”

Effect of oxytocin and PGF2α on chlortetracycline absorption from the uterus of early postpartum camels (Camelus dromedarius)

“…This gives implication that the used dose of CTC in this study is satisfactory for controlling bacteria causing endometritis for at least 72 hours. As the rate of drug absorption greatly depends on local blood flow [37], the great fluctuation of the CTC concentration in the serum reported throughout this study may be ascribed to the erratic uterine blood flow during the first 4 postpartum days [38].…”

Herd monitoring to optimise fertility in the dairy cow: making the most of herd records, metabolic profiling and ultrasonography (research into practice)

“…In a recent study, measurement of cervical diameter, endometrial thickness and assessment of echogenicity of the Herd monitoring to optimise fertility intra-uterine fluid from Days 15 to 21 postpartum predicted subsequent reproductive performance (López-Helguera et al, 2012). Doppler assessment of uterine blood flow and involution postpartum are still in their infancy and more data comparing animals with and without subsequent disease are needed before the clinical use of this procedure can be assessed (Heppelmann et al, 2013). The use of cytology and ultrasonography to diagnose and predict outcome of clinical and sub-clinical uterine disease are still being investigated by several groups.…”