Uterine motility in the cow during puerperium

The objective of the study was to determine uterine motility during the pos tpartum period in cattle. In the present study spontaneous uterine activity was recorded during postpartum period using electrodes which were surgical ly implanted into the myometrium 4-6 weeks before parturition. After the pl acenta has been released 4-8 hours post part, spontaneous uterine motility drastically decreased until the second week post part.. The effects of oxyt ocin, depotocin, prostaglandin, ergometrin, detomidin on the uterine contra ctility, during postpartum period were investigated. Oxytocin and carbotoci n given intravenously always provoked strong uterine contractions. Prostagl andin F2alpha and detomidinum HCl stimulated uterine activity in the early puerperium. Following administration of ergometrin unequal response was rec orded. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed daily with real time B- mode scanner equipped with a 5.0 MHz linear-array transducer (Aloka 210, Pi e Medical). 10 multiparous Black-White-Holstein cows between 2 and 4 years old and 550-650 kg b.w. were used. A 6-min scan of the longitudinal view of the uterine body was recorded using video cassette recorder connected to t he ultrasound scanner. A scoring system was used to determines uterine moti lity. Contractility scores were higher just after parturition then in the f ollowing times. Blood samples were collected daily from jugular vein for pl asma progesterone and estrogen concentrations. Changes in uterine activity were associated with plasma progesterone and estrogen level.