Abstract
Objective An important task of veterinarians in cattle husbandry is the early diagnosis of postpartum complications that can lead to infertility. The aim of the study was the evaluation of a new device to distinguish between physiological and pathological conditions of the uterus based on the determination of the time of uterine involution and the physicochemical properties of the vaginal discharge (lochia) during the first weeks after parturition.
Material and methods A total of 173 black-and-white Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were examined for any pathological alteration of the uterine involution on days 1–2, 6–8, 11–14 postpartum and, in case of pathological findings, additionally on days 18–22, 23–27 and 28–30 after parturition. In addition to the standard examination a newly developed hand-held instrument (“Metrastatum”) was used to differentiate between physiological and pathological uterine involution. It allows determination of the distance between the cervix and vulva (DCV) and simultaneous collection of lochial secretions.
Results The best time to use the new instrument was 10–16 days postpartum. In healthy cows without disturbed puerperium, the average DCV was 25.7 cm (± 0.8 cm) in this phase. This distance decreased by 12.5 ± 0.3 cm compared to the first days. In contrast, in cows with postpartum problems, the DCV was significantly greater at (31 ± 0.7 cm) (p < 0.001). In these animals, the AGV was reduced only by an average of 8.4 ± 0.6 cm when compared to the first days. The mucus obtained with the dome-shaped rubber funnel of the instrument also differed in the cows of the 2 groups. In healthy cows without puerperal problems, the lochia were thick, colorless, transparent and sometimes cloudy. In case of puerperal disorders, the discharge was thin, light red to reddish brown, contained flakes and had a nasty odor depending on the form of the inflammation.
Conclusion The dual function of device helps to early diagnose puerperal disorders in cows and to select healthy animals for reproduction and sick cows for treatment depending on the form of uterine inflammation.
Analysis of the 40K levels in soil using gamma spectrometry
