CLINICAL EFFECT OF A METAPHYLACTIC INTRAUTERINE INFUSION OF IODINE SOLUTION IN COWS BETWEEN DAYS 25 AND 35 POST-PARTUM

In order to investigate the effect of an intrauterine application of L ugols iodine solution on the postpartum reproductive efficiency each o f 144 cows recieved a single uterine infusion of 100 mi Lugols iodine solution during the late stage of the puerperium (days 25-35 post part um). As control served 228 untreated cows at the same stage of the pue rperium. The treatment reduced the variations in length of the calving to first insemination and the length of the calving to conception int ervals and also the number of inseminations per pregnancy. The pregnan cy rate increased significantly (p < 0,05) to 79,9 per cent in compari son to 71,9 per cent in the control group. In ten healthy cows in the late post partum period the effect of an uterine infusion of Lugols so lution was studied histopathologically. Endometrial biopsy was carried out immediately prior to and at days 1, 3, 6, and 10 after the infusi on. Lugols iodine solution caused an abrasion of the surface epitheliu m. Moderate to severe inflammatory reactions were observed 24 hours af ter the infusion, followed by regeneration of the surface epithelium a nd diminishing of the inflammatory tissue reactions between days 3 and 6 after treatment. At day 10 after the uterine infusion the surface e pithelium was almost completely restored. An uterine infusion of Lugol s iodine solution in cows between days 25 and 35 post partum improves the intrauterine conditions for the following conception. It can be re commended in herds with impaired fertility due to postpartal endometri tis.