Research Article

The Study of Cows’ Uterine Tone in Normal and Pathological Postpartum Periods

Albina Gabdrakhimovna Darmenova1, Samat Ravkhatovich Yusupov2, Abzal Kenesovich Kereyev1*, Mirzabek Gashimovich Zukhrabov2, Yerbol Maratovich Sengaliyev1, Dosmukan Ermuhkanovich Gabdullin1, Berik Garipullievich Satybaev1

1West Kazakhstan Agrarian-Technical University named Zhangir khan, Uralsk 090009, Republic of Kazakhstan; 2Bauman Kazan State Academy of Veterinary Medicine, Kazan 420029, Russian Federation.

Received | February 21, 2022; Accepted | March 25, 2022; Published | April 25, 2022

*Correspondence | Abzal Kenesovich Kereyev West Kazakhstan Agrarian-Technical University named Zhangir khan, Uralsk 090009, Republic of Kazakhstan; Email: [email protected]

Citation | Darmenova AG, Yusupov SR, Kereyev AK, Zukhrabov MG, Sengaliyev YM, Gabdullin DE, Satybaev BG (2022). The study of cows’ uterine tone in normal and pathological postpartum periods. Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci. 10(5): 1153-1160.

DOI | https://doi.org/10.17582/journal.aavs/2022/10.5.1153.1160

Copyright: 2022 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

INTRODUCTION

Abnormalities in the contractile function of the myometrium during labor and the postpartum period play a significant role in the pathogenesis of many obstetric and gynecological diseases in cows (Shabunin et al., 2014; El-Din et al., 1995; Heppelmann et al., 2013). Weak uterine contractions and their absence are one of the main direct causes of retained placenta (Dervishi et al., 2018; Mahnani et al., 2021; Borisov, 2017). At the beginning of the postpartum period, the size of the muscular fibers of the horns and the body of the uterus are progressively reduced, which is also facilitated by regular uterine contractions after labor (Shabunin et al., 2011; Konopeltsev, 2017; Vergara et al., 2014; Beagle et al., 2010). The contracting muscle fibers of the uterus, blood vessels, tissue formations, mucous membranes, and carunculi begin to undergo fatty growth from the very first days, which leads to the destruction of uterine tissue, especially its mucous membranes and carunculi, which accumulate in the uterine cavity (Demchuk and Skorik, 2016; Suleymanov et al., 2018; Williams et al., 2007). Together with residual amniotic fluid and mucus, they are extracted by uterine contractions in the form of so-called postpartum excretions, or lochia. In the first days, lochia are reddish or brownish because they are mixed with the blood that was poured out during labor from torn vessels in the fetal shells and umbilical cord. On day 7-8, they become transparent, and 14-17 days after labor, their secretion stops, and the cervical canal of the uterus closes (Pascottini et al., 2015; Leutert et al., 2012; Sheldon et al., 2019; Oruc et al., 2015).

The emergence of uterine abnormalities or the absence of uterus contractions is mainly caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies, the absence of regular motions, and inflammatory processes in cows’ genitals (Roche, 2006; Abuelo et al., 2016; Grummer et al., 2004; Cardoso et al., 2020). If these contractions are absent or weak, lochia accumulate in the uterine cavity and postpartum diseases (uterine subinvolution, retention of the placenta, endometritis) develop. These diseases of the uterus are always associated with a weakening of the body’s resistance, impaired uterine tone, the absence of uterine abbreviations, delayed excretion of lochia and their accumulation in the uterine cavity. If microorganisms penetrate the uterine cavity during subinvolution, they gradually decompose lochia and develop postpartum endometritis (LeBlanc, 2014; Barlund et al., 2007; LeBlanc et al., 2002; Stehen et al., 2011).

The aim of the work was to study the tone of the uterus in normal and pathological courses of the postpartum period in cows using a device for determining uterine contractions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethical Statement

The study was discussed and approved at the meeting of the Scientific and Technical Council of the West Kazakhstan Agrarian and Technical University of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Protocol No. 1 of September 24, 2018.

General information

The research was carried out between 2018 and 2020 based on the cattle farms “Kolos”, LLC of the Tetyush district of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation and MBS “Zhaiyk” of the Akzhaik district of the West Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan and at the departments of therapy and clinical diagnostics with radiology and surgery, obstetrics and pathology of small animals of the Bauman Kazan State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and “Veterinary and Biosafety” Higher School of West Kazakhstan Agrarian-Technical University named Zhangir khan.

Sampling

The objects of research were black-motley cows (500 heads) with an average live weight of 550-600 kg at the age of 2-3 years. The feeding of the experimental livestock was carried out according to the rations accepted in the farm. Calculation of rations was carried out taking into account the daily milk yield, lactation stage of cows. For the normal development of the fetus and the normal course of metabolism, the cows were provided with high-quality hay, feed, vitamins and minerals. The diet of an adult dairy cow consisted of the following ingredients: hay, root crops, silage, concentrated feed.

During research and production tests, attention was paid to the process of labor and the postpartum period in cows. The selection of experimental cows in the groups was carried out using the principle of analogs. In these cows with normal and pathological placenta stages and postpartum periods (with further development of retention of the placenta, subinvolution of the uterus, postpartum endometritis in cows), the strength, duration, and frequency of uterine contractions after fetal excretion and in the postpartum period were studied.

Materials

The following materials were used to study the strength, duration, and frequency of uterine contractions in cows: antiseptic solvents for the treatment of the external genitalia of cows, obstetric gloves, veterinary vaseline, a disposable rubber camera, and a device for determining the contractile activity of the uterine muscles after fetal excretion (certificate for rationalization proposal No. 483 from “03”. 12.2015 issued by the Kazan State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after N.E. Bauman” in accordance with paragraph 75 of the Regulations on discoveries, inventions and rationalization proposals, approved by the decision of the Council of Ministers, issued to Yusupov S.R., Darmenova A.G.), which consists of a pressure rubber ball, discharge valve, manometer, handle, rubber tube, catheter, rubber camera, and rubber camera pin (Figure 1).

Procedures

The survey was conducted according to the following scheme: animal preparation=> specialist preparation=> device preparation.

Diagnostic tests require washing and disinfection of the external genitalia and tail. The root and base of the cow’s tail should be bandaged. So that it does not interfere during work, it is better to take it to the side and tie it with a band or a rope fixed around the animal’s neck.

Features of changes in strength, duration, and frequency of uterine contractions in cows with normal and pathological postpartum periods are given in Tables 1-3 (Figure 2-4).

Table 1: Comparative index of cow uterine contraction strength at normal and pathological postpartum periods.

Table 2: Comparative index of the duration of uterine contractions in cows at normal and pathological postpartum periods.

Table 3: Comparative index of cow uterine contraction frequency in normal and pathological postpartum periods.

Table 1 (Figure 2) shows that in cows with the normal postpartum period, the strength of uterine contractions after fetal excretion within 7 hours (420 min) increased from 0.03±0.01 to 1.22±0.09 kPa. Spontaneous placenta expulsion in these cows took place on average 7 hours (420 min) after fetal excretion, after which the strength of uterine contractions during the first 10 min decreased from 1.22±0.09 to 0.52±0.04 kPa and then gradually increased to 0.60±0.02 kPa during 2 hours (120 min), after which it began to decrease to 0.55±0.02 kPa by 3 hours (180 min).

In cows with a pathological postpartum period, the strength of uterine contractions was wave-like and gradually increased from 0.13±0.03 to 0.55±0.06 kPa within 10 hours after the fetal excretion. In these cows, an average of 10 hours (600 minutes) later, an operative placenta expulsion was used. These cows had weaker uterine contractions than cows with the normal postpartum period, which was observed already by 20 min ― 0.08 kPa, by 30 min ― 0.1 kPa, by 60 min ― 0.18 kPa, by 120 min ― 0.1 kPa, by 180 min ― 0.14 kPa.

Table 2 (Figure 3) shows that in cows with a normal postpartum period, the duration of uterine contractions after fetal excretion increased from 1.30±0.09 to 1.90±0.07 minutes within 7 hours. Spontaneous placenta expulsion in these cows took place on average 7 hours (420 min) after fetal excretion, after which the duration of uterine contractions in the first 10 min was reduced from 1.90±0.07 to 0.60±0.07 and then gradually increased to 0.85±0.05 min within 2 hours (120 min), after which it began to decrease and decreased to -0.80±0.09 min by 3 hours (180 min).

The graphical data shows that in cows with a pathological postpartum period, the duration of uterine contractions after fetal excretion ranged from 0.40±0.02 to 0.53±0.02 within 10 hours. In these cows, an operational placenta expulsion was conducted within 10 hours (600 min) on average, after which the duration of uterine contractions during the first 10 min was reduced from 0.41±0.01 to 0.23±0.03 min and then gradually increased to 0.31±0.04 within 1 hour (60 min). The duration of uterine contractions then began to decrease (120 min ― 0.28±0.02 min, 180 min ― 0.20±0.01).

When labor and the postpartum period were normal, the frequency of uterine contractions in cows gradually increased from 1 to 13 times within 10-420 minutes after fetal excretion (Table 3, Figure 4). The uterus contracted 1-2 times (1.90±0.11) after 10 minutes, 1-3 times (2.00±0.16) after 20 minutes, 1-3 times (2.90±0.11) after 30 minutes, and 4-6 times (5.40±0.28) after 60 minutes, in 120 min ― 10-12 times (11.30±0.28), in 180 min ― 11-12 times (11.50±0.18), in 240 min ― 11-13 times (11.90±0.19), in 300 min ― 11-13 times (12.00±0.22), in 360 min ― 12-13 times (12.20±0.14), and in 420 min ― 12-13 times (12.30±0.16).

Abuelo A, Alves-Nores VM, Hernandez J, Muiňo R, Benedito JL, Castillo C (2016). Effect of Parenteral Antioxidant Supplementation During the Dry Period on Postpartum Glucose Tolerance in Dairy Cows. J. Vet. Intern. Med., 30: 892-898. Https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.13922

Barlund CS, Carruthers TD, Waldner CL, Palmer CW (2007). A comparison of diagnostic techniques for postpartum endometritis in dairy cattle. Theriogenology., 69 (6): 714-723. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.12.005

Beagle JC, Whitman KJ, Baptiste KE, Scherzer J (2010). Physiology and Treatment of Retained Fetal Membranes in Cattle. J. Vet. Intern. Med., 24 (2): 261-268. Https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0473.x

Borisov IA (2017). Complex prevention of postpartum pathology in cows and its impact on natural resistance. Proceedings of the Orenburg State Agrarian University. 2: (64) 102-104.

Cardoso FC, Kalscheur KF, Drackley JK (2020). Symposium review: Nutrition strategies for improved health, production, and fertility during the transition period. J. Dairy Sci., 103 (6): 5684-5693. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17271

Demchuk SE, Skorik, EA (2016). Sokratitelnaya funktsiya matki korov: gisterograficheskii metod ee issledovaniya i medikamentoznogo vosstanovleniya [Contractive function of the uterus of cows: hysterographic method of its investigation and medical restoration]. Zhivotnovodstvo i Vet. Med., 4: 49-52.

Dervishi E, Zhang G, Mandal R, Wishart DS, Ametaj BN (2018). Targeted metabolomics: New insights into pathobiology of retained placenta in dairy cows and potential risk biomarkers. Animal.,  12: (5) 1050–1059. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731117002506

El-Din ZA, Nakao T, Abdel Raouf M, Moriyoshi M, Kawata K, Moritsu Y (1995). Factors in the resumption of ovarian activity and uterine involution in postpartum dairy cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 38: (3) 203–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4320(94)01359-T

Grummer RR, Mashek DG, Hayirli A (2004). Dry matter intake and energy balance in the transition period. Vet. Clin. Norht. Am. Food Anim. Pract., 20 (3): 447-470. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2004.06.013

Heppelmann M, Brömmling A, Weinert M, Piechotta M, Wrenzycki C, Bollwein H (2013). Effect of postpartum suppression of ovulation on uterine involution in dairy cows. Theriogenology, 80: (5) 519-525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.05.017

Konopeltsev IG (2017). Sravnitelnaya otsenka vliyanie na pokazateli sokratitelnoi aktivnosti matki u korov oksitotsina, uterotona, oksilata i ozonirovannogo izotonicheskogo rastvora natriya khlorida [Comparative evaluation of the impact on uterine contraction activity indices in cows of oxytocin, uterotone, oxylate, and ozonated isotonic sodium chloride solution]. Vet. Vrach, 6: 7-11.

LeBlanc SJ (2014). Reproductive tract inflammatory disease in postpartum dairy cows. Animal., 8 (1): 54-63. Https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731114000524

LeBlanc SJ, Duffield TF, Leslie KE, Bateman KG, Keefe GP, Walton JS, Johnson WH (2002). Defining and diagnosing postpartum clinical endometritis and its impact on reproductive performance in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci., 85 (9): 2223-2236. Https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(02)74302-6

Leutert C, Krueger X, Plöntzke J, Heuwieser W (2012). Evalution of vaginoscopy for the diagnosis of clinical endometritis in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci., 95 (1): 206-212. Https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2011-4603

Mahnani A, Sadeghi-Sefidmazgi A, Ansari-Mahyari S, Ghorbani GR, Keshavarzi H (2021). Farm and cow factors and their interactions on the incidence of retained placenta in holstein dairy cows. Theriogenology., 159: 87–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.10.007

Oruc E, Saglam YS, Polat B, Cengiz M, Colac A, Altun S, Cannazic O, Kapakin TA (2015). The evalution of endometrial cytology in cows with acute and chronic endometritis. Vet. Arhiv., 85 (2): 131-140.

Pascottini OB, Dini P, Hostens M, Ducatelle R, Opsomer G (2015). A novel cytologic sampling techgue to diagnose subclinical endometriris and comparison of staining methods for endometrial cytology samples in dairy cows. Theriogenology., 84: 1438-1446. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.07.032

Roche JF (2006). The effect of nutritional management of the dairy cow on reproductive efficiency. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 96 (3-4): 282-296. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2006.08.007

Shabunin SV, Mikhalev VI, Morgunov VI (2014). Problems of uterus subinvolution in cows and methods of its correction. Vet. doctor. 4: 42-44.

Shabunin SV, Nezhdanov AG, Alekhin YuN (2011). Problemy profilaktiki besplodiya u vysokoproduktivnogo molochnogo skota [Problems of infertility prevention in the highly productive dairy cattle]. Veterinariya [Vet. med.], 2: 3-8.

Sheldon M, Cronin JG, Bromfield JJ (2019). Tolerance and Innate Immunity Shape the Development of Postpatum Uterine Disease and the Impact of Endometritis in Dairy Cattle. Annu. Rev. Anim. Biosci., 15 (7): 361-384. Https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-020518-115227

Stehen JB, Takeshi O, Joselyn D (2011). Reproductive tract defrense and disease in postpartum dairy cows. Theriogenology., 76: 1610-1618. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.07.017

Suleymanov SM, Usha BV, Vatnikov YA, Sotnikova ED (2018). Structural uterine changes in postpartum endometritis in cows. Vet. World., 11 (10): 1473-1478. Https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2018.1473-1478

Vergara CF, Döpfer D, Cook NB, Nordlund KV, McArt JAA, Nydam D, Oetzel GR (2014). Risk factors for postpartum problems in dairy cows: Explanatory and predictive modeling. J. Dairy Sci., 97 (7): 4127-4140. Https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-6440

Williams EJ, Fischer DP, Noakes DE, England GC, Rycroft A, Dobson H, Sheldon IM (2007). The relationship between uterine pathogen growth density and ovarian function in the postpartum dairy cow. Theriogenology., 68 (4): 549-559. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.04.056