INTRAUTERINE BACTERIAL FINDINGS AND HORMONAL PROFILES IN POSTPARTUM COWS WITH NORMAL PUERPERIUM

The post-partum intrauterine bacterial flora, prostaglandin release, u terine involution and resumption of ovarian activity were studied in 9 Swedish dairy cows during the first g-week period. Uterine involution was monitored by transrectal examinations of the reproductive tract 3 times weekly. Bacteriological examination was performed from twice we ekly uterine biopsies. The main PGF(2 alpha) metabolite (15-ketodihydr o-PGF(2 alpha)) was monitored from twice daily blood plasma samples, w hile morning samples were used for progesterone determinations. The co ws were assigned to 2 groups: Group I (n = 7) with an uncomplicated pu erperal period and Group II (n = 2) with signs of intrauterine infecti ons. A total of 143 biopsies were collected, of which 129 (90.2%) were found to be bacteriologically negative. Thirteen (9.1%) of the remain ing 14 biopsies were bacteriologically positive, while one (0.7%) was probably a contamination on a single occasion. The 13 bacteriologicall y positive biopsies belonged to the Group II cows from which 31 isolat es contained 6 different genera of facultative and obligate anaerobic bacteria. Actinomyces pyogenes along with Bacteroides sp. and Fusobact erium necrophorum were found to predominate in a mixed flora. The bact eria were rapidly eliminated and disappeared completely from the uteri towards the end of the third week post-partum. The average number of days required for completion of uterine involution was 21.8 +/- 3.0 fo r all animals. The plasma levels of the PGF(2 alpha) metabolite were s ignificantly elevated for the first 12-18, and 18 and 27 days in Group I and Group II, respectively. There was no significant relationship b etween the duration of PGF(2 alpha) release and the time required for completion of uterine involution (p>0.05). Progesterone analysis showe d resumption of ovarian activity and subsequent ovulation in 4 of the 9 cows 44-55 days post-partum. Thus, intrauterine infections are not c ommonly seen in cows with normal calving and comparison between the du ration of PGF(2 alpha) release and the time required for completion of uterine involution showed insignificant correlation. However, the lon ger duration of PGF(2 alpha) release recorded in the 2 cows with intra uterine infections are related to the increased frequency of infection s.