Fertility
Content
Fertility, infertility and sterility; Functional infertility, anoestrus, ovarian hypoplasia, cystic ovary, adrenalvirlism. Infectious infertility. Specific and non specific infections affecting genital organs.
Reproductive disorder
Reproductive disorders in cattle and buffaloes are the serious problem leading to infertility or sterility. The problem is increasing day by day which results into heavy economic losses to the farmers because animal does not conceive in time and treatment cost also increases with passage of time. Normally a cow should deliver a young viable calf every 13 months and buffalo every 14 to 15 months. In a good animal farm 60% cow or buffaloes should conceive in first insemination and average services per conception should be 1.3 to 1.7. These numbers of services per conception results into more number of calves as well as more milk production from an individual in life time. Infertility may affect the normal reproductive process which may be direct or indirect. T hese are as following. 1. Hereditary causes Infertility may be due to effect of certain genes which results into partial or complete structural abnormality. Animals suffering from such reproductive disorders should not be allowed to breed in future because treatment is not possible in such cases. The major conditions are as followings. 1. Underdevelop/hypoplastic ovaries 2. Aplasia of ovaries 3. Double cervix 4. Hypoplastic vagina 5. Freemartin 6. Nymphomania 7. White heifer disease
2. Hormonal causes
Following types of infertility may develop due to hormonal imbalance.
1. Anestrum 2. Silent estrus 3. Cystic ovarian degeneration Anestrum is not a disease but considered as symptoms of different diseases because it indirectly affect the reproduction. Treatment Detailed examinations are required in anestrus cases to identify the real cause of the condition and advocate proper therapy. On examination of the ovary, if corpus luteum is present, any medicine of the followings may be chosen and given after consult ation of the veterinarian as per instructions. Use of prostaglandins
Name Lutalyse Ilrin Prosolvin Dinofertin Estrumate Equimate Chemical compound Dinoprost Tiaprost Luprostinol Tromithamin Chloprostinol Fluprostinol Dose 25 mg 250-500 mg 15 mg 15 mg 200-500 µg 250-500 µg Route im im im im im im
Animal which does not have corpus luteum on the ovary; they may be treated as following. Use of estrogens
Name Progynon Estradiol benzoate Chemical compound Estradiol valerate Estradiol benzoate Dose 5-8 mg 0.006 mg Route im im
Use of antibiotics If the animals are having continuous discharge which may or may not be having bad odor, they should be treated after antibiotic sensitivity test. Usually, the animal start cycling after the discharge ceases. Use of progestogens It is latest technique to induce estrus in anestrus animals. Animals are inserted with silastic
capsule at outer pinna of the ear and kept for 9 -10 days and then removed. Animal starts showing estrus within 56-60 hours after removal of implant from the ear and bred accordingly. 2. Silent estrus Silent estrus is more common in buffaloes than cow. Farmers usually do not consider their animal in heat until they start discharge from vagina, mounting or bellowing but during summer season specifically buffaloes show estrus during cooler part of the day or late night. On specific examination, it is revealed that vulva is swollen mucus membrane of the vagina is pink or red and there is scanty discharge. This problem can be solved by the use of vasectomised bull in the farm. Cystic ovarian degeneration It is one of the most important conditions causing infertility in bovines. Animal suffering from cystic ovarian degeneration either becomes nymphomaniac, irregular estrus or anestrous. This condit ion is basically related to insufficient secretion of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland of the animal which results into anovulation or no formation of normal corpus luteum. Treatment
Species Cattle or Buffalo Cattle or Buffalo Cattle or Buffalo Medicine Chorulon Receptal Fertazyl Condition Cystic ovary/anovulation Cystic ovary/anovulation Cystic ovary/anovulation Dose 3000 IU 5.0 ml 2.5-5.0 ml Route im im im
3. Infectious diseases affecting reproduction There are number of diseases affecting reproduction directly and indirectly, out of them important bacterial, viral and fungal diseases are as following. Bacterial diseases 1. Brucellosis 2. Campylobacteriosis or Vibriosis 3. Leptospirosis 4. Listeriosis 5. Tuberculosis
These diseases affect foetal development directly and cause death at various stages of pregnancy. Fetal membranes are retained and leads to different reproductive disorders. Viral diseases 1. Infectious pustular vulvovaginitis or vesicular venere al disease 2. Epivag 3. Contagious anterior vaginao -cervicitis 4. Vaginitis and cervicitis 5. Transmissible fibropapiloma 6. Infectious bovine diarrhoea 7. Blue tongue 8. Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis etc. These diseases either affect fertilization of ovum or cause abortion at various stages of pregnancy and leads to infertility. Fungal diseases Abortions may also occur due to fungal infections in reproductive tract of animal. Among many fungal diseases, Aspergillus and Mucurales are major infectious ag ents causing abortions. Protozoan diseases There are other causative agents affecting reproductive processes at various stages of reproduction like Trichomoniasis which is caused by a protozoon and transmitted by infected bull. This disease results into a bortions at 2-4 months of pregnancy or sterility. It is important to examine records of the individual animal, find out specific reason of abortion and treatment given to reach at definite diagnosis. It must be ensured that the bull used for natural servic e is free from all contagious and infectious diseases and instruments or equipments used are properly sterilized. Calf hood vaccination should be done against Brucellosis to save the herd from brucellosis. Ensure proper hygiene at farm and working place, p roper disinfection at gate and proper disposal of dead fetuses or fetal afterbirth.
Hereditary diseases Citrolemia, Dumb, Factor-7 etc diseases are usually seen in Holstein -Friezian Cows and inherrited in the new borns. 4. Pathological abnormalities Usually following parturition, many pathological abnormalities develops in the genitalia as the animal picks up this type of infections from the ground, bedding materials or from the environment. Unattended cases may results into infertility or sterility. The major pathological abnormalities are as followings. 1. Ovarian tumor 2. Oophoritis 3. Pyosalpinx/ Hydrosalpinx 4. Uterine tumor 5. Pyometra 6. Metritis 7. Cervicitis 8. Vaginitis 9. Vulver tumor 10. Vulvitis It is important to take the help of specialist in these conditions so as to diagnose it properly and advocate specific therapy for respective conditions. Infectious conditions should be treated after antibiotic sensitivity and ful l course of the treatment should be ensured to avoid recurrence of the disease.
5. Nutritional deficiency
Balance diet is of utmost importance to maintain normal fertility and production from the animal. There are many specific deficiencies or excess of el ements resulting into irregular estrus, anestrous, early embryonic mortality etc. In both the conditions, reproduction is adversely affected.
1. Deficiency of elements Following symptoms will appear if animal does not get required nutrients for long perio d. 1. Late puberty and sexual maturity 2. Abnormal estrous cycle 3. Slow growth of oocytes and inappropriate ovulation 4. Deficiency of hormones 5. Late conception following parturition 2. Excess of particular elements Animals receiving excess diet may res ult into deposition of excess fat in and around genitalia causing reproductive failure. 1. Deposition of fat around ovary and Cessation of estrus 2. Repeat breeding 3. Movement of ovum is affected 4. Dystocia 3. Deficiency of protein 1. It is essential t o provide 11-12 % protein in diet, below this reproduction would be affected. 2. Quality and quantity of the protein is essential for optimum reproduction. 3. Deficiency of protein may result into deficiency of other elements. 4. Secretion of pituitary gla nd is also affected resulting into irregular estrous cycle. 4. Deficiency of energy 1. Milk production is affected immediately 2. Animal does not reach peak production 3. Service period is increased 4. Animal becomes weak and debilitated 5. Increased inter-calving period 6. Calves born are dead or very weak 5. Deficiency of mineral
Animal owners had been well aware about the importance of common salt, calcium and phosphorous in the diet of animal since very long period. Nutritional research has proved that about fifteen minerals are very essential for the normal production and reproduction of livestock and poultry. These essential minerals are calcium, phosphorous, sulphur, potassium, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, cobalt, iodin e, molybdenum and selenium. First seven minerals are comparatively taken in good quantity by the animals and others are taken in lesser quantity. The elements which are required in larger quantity are termed as macro/essential elements whereas the elements required in lesser quantity are termed as micro elements. Optimum reproduction needs both macro and micro elements in proper proportions. Following are the important elements of the animal diet, deficiency of these elements leads to reduced fertility. 1. Deficiency of phosphorous 1. Commonly seen when the diet is deficient in protein or fodder given is dry. 2. Symptoms appear when the phosphorous is less than 4mg/100ml of blood serum. 3. Depraved appetite 4. Maturation of the ovum is adversely affected 2. Deficiency of Calcium 1. Ratio of calcium and phosphorous is more important than the absolute level of the calcium and phosphorous. 2. Calcium does not affect reproduction directly but causes other reproductive failures. 3. Calcium deficiency during pubert y results into late maturity and difficulty in conception at appropriate period. 3. Deficiency of Manganese 1. Animal does not start cyclicity 2. Deficiency affects reproduction indirectly 3. Conception rate declines 4. Deficiency of Cobalt
1. Lack of appe tite, animal becomes week 2. Depraved appetite 3. Stunted growth 4. Anestrous 5. Deficiency of Iodine 1. Weak or dead calf born 2. Weakness in thyroid gland 3. Reduced secretion from pituitary gland, hence adversely affect reproduction. 4. Estrous cycle is affected 6. Deficiency of Zinc Zinc deficiency is usually seen in small animals where it affect the reproduction but large animal seldom experiences zinc deficiency. 7. Vitamin deficiency It is most important and common deficiency in adult animals affect ing reproduction directly. Other vitamin deficiency is not seen usually which may affect reproduction. 1. Vitamin-A deficiency 1. Reproduction is directly affected. 2. Weak or dead calf born 3. Increased abortion rate 4. Increased retention of fetal membra nes 5. Lacrimation and reduced appetite 6. Herd infertility increased 2. Vitamin £B complex deficiency Under normal conditions, these vitamins are synthesized by the rumen of the cattle and buffaloes and they are supplied in sufficient quantity to the anim als but sometimes they are required to be added in the diet or injected from outside. 3. Vitamin-C and D
In ruminants, these vitamins are synthesized in the body and deficiency does not occur but deficiency has been seen in monkeys, guinea pig and human. 4. Vitamin £E deficiency Maturation of oocytes or estrous cycle of the animals is not affected but normal growth of fetus during mid gestation is affected. Deficiency of vitamin -E for long period in the diet of bull adversely affects semen production. Retention of Fetal membranes in cattle and buffaloes: etiology, diagnosis and treatment Normally the fetal membranes are expelled within 3 -8 hours of normal parturition but sometimes it is delayed beyond 12-14 hrs or more after parturition then it is termed as retention of fetal membranes or retention of afterbirth. Retention of afterbirth results into delayed uterine involution and other several reproductive disorders leading to infertility or sometimes sterility. The incidence of fetal membranes is about 7% b ut in brucellosis affected herds or area, the incidence may be very high. After the parturition, umbilical cord of the calf is broken leading to cessation of the blood supply to the fetal cotyledons culminating into constriction of the cotyledons. During t he same time in mother, blood supply to the uterus is also curtailed affecting the size of maternal caruncles. The crypts on the maternal caruncles become loose facilitating the separation of fetal and maternal attachment of the placenta. In some animals t his normal process is affected due to different reasons leading to retention of fetal membranes. The major causes of the retention of fetal membranes are: Poor health of animal Deficiency of Vitamin A in diet Flaccid uterus Hydroallantois Dystocia Abortion 2.Incomplete gestation period 4.Infection of genital tract Uterine torsion Closed cervix Brucellosis
Other bacterial infections like Streptococcus dysgalactia, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeurogenosa and Corynaebacterium pyogenes Diagnosis The diagnosis of retention of placenta is quite easy as placenta would be hanging outside and can be seen easily but someti mes it is broken at different levels and present completely inside the uterus making the diagnosis difficult from outside. Under such conditions, it should be examined per vaginum after 24-36 hrs of parturition by the veterinarians. Under normal conditions it becomes difficult to insert hand inside the uterus after 48hrs of parturition but cervix remains open in ROP( Retention of placenta) affected animals. Symptoms
Animal becomes sick Reduced appetite and milk production Increased temperature and pulse rate, gradual decrease in body weight Abdominal cramps Bad odour after 24 hrs Foul discharge from genitalia
Mortality rate recorded in ROP ranges from 1 -2% only but the animal is severely affected from the reproduction point of view because uterus regain s its natural condition after a very long period which results into delayed resumption of cyclicity and consequently reduced conception rate. ROP results in heavy economic loss to the farmers in terms of production and less no. of calves per animal in life time. Treatment Uterotonic medicine like Uterotone, Replanta, Harira etc should be given for 2 -3 days. Gentle manual removal should be attempted 24 hrs after parturition. Excess force should not be applied to take out placenta as it may results into sept icemia or toxemia. Siphon out excess fluid from the uterus Avoid douching
If the farmer is insisting to remove the placenta, it should be attempted 24 -48 hrs of the parturition. If the cervical opening is closed, do not open it forcefully otherwise it may result into severe injury followed by sterility. Place 2 gms of antibiotic bolus in the uterus which help in the early separation of the placenta Local and parenteral administration of antibiotic should be done simultaneously Estrogenic medicine like estradiol or stilbesterol should be given at the rate of 2 -4 mg, 20-25 mg intramuscular, respectively. These medicines will increase the blood flow to the genitalia and help in early evacuation and regeneration of the endometrium of uterus. It has been observed that animal resumes cyclicity without much affecting conception rate even if placenta was expelled 10 -12 days following parturition by its own mechanism without human interference directly.
Reproductive disorder
Reproductive disorders in cattle and buffaloes are the serious problem leading to infertility or sterility. The problem is increasing day by day which results into heavy economic losses to the farmers because animal does not conceive in time and treatment cost also increases with passage of time. Normally a cow should deliver a young viable calf every 13 months and buffalo every 14 to 15 months. In a good animal farm 60% cow or buffaloes should conceive in first insemination and average services per conception should be 1.3 to 1.7. These numbers of services per conception results into more number of calves as well as more milk production from an individual in life time. Infertility may affect the normal reproductive process which may be direct or indirect. T hese are as following. 1. Hereditary causes Infertility may be due to effect of certain genes which results into partial or complete structural abnormality. Animals suffering from such reproductive disorders should not be allowed to breed in future because treatment is not possible in such cases. The major conditions are as followings. 1. Underdevelop/hypoplastic ovaries 2. Aplasia of ovaries 3. Double cervix 4. Hypoplastic vagina 5. Freemartin 6. Nymphomania 7. White heifer disease
2. Hormonal causes
Following types of infertility may develop due to hormonal imbalance.
1. Anestrum 2. Silent estrus 3. Cystic ovarian degeneration Anestrum is not a disease but considered as symptoms of different diseases because it indirectly affect the reproduction. Treatment Detailed examinations are required in anestrus cases to identify the real cause of the condition and advocate proper therapy. On examination of the ovary, if corpus luteum is present, any medicine of the followings may be chosen and given after consult ation of the veterinarian as per instructions. Use of prostaglandins
Name Lutalyse Ilrin Prosolvin Dinofertin Estrumate Equimate Chemical compound Dinoprost Tiaprost Luprostinol Tromithamin Chloprostinol Fluprostinol Dose 25 mg 250-500 mg 15 mg 15 mg 200-500 µg 250-500 µg Route im im im im im im
Animal which does not have corpus luteum on the ovary; they may be treated as following. Use of estrogens
Name Progynon Estradiol benzoate Chemical compound Estradiol valerate Estradiol benzoate Dose 5-8 mg 0.006 mg Route im im
Use of antibiotics If the animals are having continuous discharge which may or may not be having bad odor, they should be treated after antibiotic sensitivity test. Usually, the animal start cycling after the discharge ceases. Use of progestogens It is latest technique to induce estrus in anestrus animals. Animals are inserted with silastic
capsule at outer pinna of the ear and kept for 9 -10 days and then removed. Animal starts showing estrus within 56-60 hours after removal of implant from the ear and bred accordingly. 2. Silent estrus Silent estrus is more common in buffaloes than cow. Farmers usually do not consider their animal in heat until they start discharge from vagina, mounting or bellowing but during summer season specifically buffaloes show estrus during cooler part of the day or late night. On specific examination, it is revealed that vulva is swollen mucus membrane of the vagina is pink or red and there is scanty discharge. This problem can be solved by the use of vasectomised bull in the farm. Cystic ovarian degeneration It is one of the most important conditions causing infertility in bovines. Animal suffering from cystic ovarian degeneration either becomes nymphomaniac, irregular estrus or anestrous. This condit ion is basically related to insufficient secretion of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland of the animal which results into anovulation or no formation of normal corpus luteum. Treatment
Species Cattle or Buffalo Cattle or Buffalo Cattle or Buffalo Medicine Chorulon Receptal Fertazyl Condition Cystic ovary/anovulation Cystic ovary/anovulation Cystic ovary/anovulation Dose 3000 IU 5.0 ml 2.5-5.0 ml Route im im im
3. Infectious diseases affecting reproduction There are number of diseases affecting reproduction directly and indirectly, out of them important bacterial, viral and fungal diseases are as following. Bacterial diseases 1. Brucellosis 2. Campylobacteriosis or Vibriosis 3. Leptospirosis 4. Listeriosis 5. Tuberculosis
These diseases affect foetal development directly and cause death at various stages of pregnancy. Fetal membranes are retained and leads to different reproductive disorders. Viral diseases 1. Infectious pustular vulvovaginitis or vesicular venere al disease 2. Epivag 3. Contagious anterior vaginao -cervicitis 4. Vaginitis and cervicitis 5. Transmissible fibropapiloma 6. Infectious bovine diarrhoea 7. Blue tongue 8. Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis etc. These diseases either affect fertilization of ovum or cause abortion at various stages of pregnancy and leads to infertility. Fungal diseases Abortions may also occur due to fungal infections in reproductive tract of animal. Among many fungal diseases, Aspergillus and Mucurales are major infectious ag ents causing abortions. Protozoan diseases There are other causative agents affecting reproductive processes at various stages of reproduction like Trichomoniasis which is caused by a protozoon and transmitted by infected bull. This disease results into a bortions at 2-4 months of pregnancy or sterility. It is important to examine records of the individual animal, find out specific reason of abortion and treatment given to reach at definite diagnosis. It must be ensured that the bull used for natural servic e is free from all contagious and infectious diseases and instruments or equipments used are properly sterilized. Calf hood vaccination should be done against Brucellosis to save the herd from brucellosis. Ensure proper hygiene at farm and working place, p roper disinfection at gate and proper disposal of dead fetuses or fetal afterbirth.
Hereditary diseases Citrolemia, Dumb, Factor-7 etc diseases are usually seen in Holstein -Friezian Cows and inherrited in the new borns. 4. Pathological abnormalities Usually following parturition, many pathological abnormalities develops in the genitalia as the animal picks up this type of infections from the ground, bedding materials or from the environment. Unattended cases may results into infertility or sterility. The major pathological abnormalities are as followings. 1. Ovarian tumor 2. Oophoritis 3. Pyosalpinx/ Hydrosalpinx 4. Uterine tumor 5. Pyometra 6. Metritis 7. Cervicitis 8. Vaginitis 9. Vulver tumor 10. Vulvitis It is important to take the help of specialist in these conditions so as to diagnose it properly and advocate specific therapy for respective conditions. Infectious conditions should be treated after antibiotic sensitivity and ful l course of the treatment should be ensured to avoid recurrence of the disease.
5. Nutritional deficiency
Balance diet is of utmost importance to maintain normal fertility and production from the animal. There are many specific deficiencies or excess of el ements resulting into irregular estrus, anestrous, early embryonic mortality etc. In both the conditions, reproduction is adversely affected.
1. Deficiency of elements Following symptoms will appear if animal does not get required nutrients for long perio d. 1. Late puberty and sexual maturity 2. Abnormal estrous cycle 3. Slow growth of oocytes and inappropriate ovulation 4. Deficiency of hormones 5. Late conception following parturition 2. Excess of particular elements Animals receiving excess diet may res ult into deposition of excess fat in and around genitalia causing reproductive failure. 1. Deposition of fat around ovary and Cessation of estrus 2. Repeat breeding 3. Movement of ovum is affected 4. Dystocia 3. Deficiency of protein 1. It is essential t o provide 11-12 % protein in diet, below this reproduction would be affected. 2. Quality and quantity of the protein is essential for optimum reproduction. 3. Deficiency of protein may result into deficiency of other elements. 4. Secretion of pituitary gla nd is also affected resulting into irregular estrous cycle. 4. Deficiency of energy 1. Milk production is affected immediately 2. Animal does not reach peak production 3. Service period is increased 4. Animal becomes weak and debilitated 5. Increased inter-calving period 6. Calves born are dead or very weak 5. Deficiency of mineral
Animal owners had been well aware about the importance of common salt, calcium and phosphorous in the diet of animal since very long period. Nutritional research has proved that about fifteen minerals are very essential for the normal production and reproduction of livestock and poultry. These essential minerals are calcium, phosphorous, sulphur, potassium, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, cobalt, iodin e, molybdenum and selenium. First seven minerals are comparatively taken in good quantity by the animals and others are taken in lesser quantity. The elements which are required in larger quantity are termed as macro/essential elements whereas the elements required in lesser quantity are termed as micro elements. Optimum reproduction needs both macro and micro elements in proper proportions. Following are the important elements of the animal diet, deficiency of these elements leads to reduced fertility. 1. Deficiency of phosphorous 1. Commonly seen when the diet is deficient in protein or fodder given is dry. 2. Symptoms appear when the phosphorous is less than 4mg/100ml of blood serum. 3. Depraved appetite 4. Maturation of the ovum is adversely affected 2. Deficiency of Calcium 1. Ratio of calcium and phosphorous is more important than the absolute level of the calcium and phosphorous. 2. Calcium does not affect reproduction directly but causes other reproductive failures. 3. Calcium deficiency during pubert y results into late maturity and difficulty in conception at appropriate period. 3. Deficiency of Manganese 1. Animal does not start cyclicity 2. Deficiency affects reproduction indirectly 3. Conception rate declines 4. Deficiency of Cobalt
1. Lack of appe tite, animal becomes week 2. Depraved appetite 3. Stunted growth 4. Anestrous 5. Deficiency of Iodine 1. Weak or dead calf born 2. Weakness in thyroid gland 3. Reduced secretion from pituitary gland, hence adversely affect reproduction. 4. Estrous cycle is affected 6. Deficiency of Zinc Zinc deficiency is usually seen in small animals where it affect the reproduction but large animal seldom experiences zinc deficiency. 7. Vitamin deficiency It is most important and common deficiency in adult animals affect ing reproduction directly. Other vitamin deficiency is not seen usually which may affect reproduction. 1. Vitamin-A deficiency 1. Reproduction is directly affected. 2. Weak or dead calf born 3. Increased abortion rate 4. Increased retention of fetal membra nes 5. Lacrimation and reduced appetite 6. Herd infertility increased 2. Vitamin £B complex deficiency Under normal conditions, these vitamins are synthesized by the rumen of the cattle and buffaloes and they are supplied in sufficient quantity to the anim als but sometimes they are required to be added in the diet or injected from outside. 3. Vitamin-C and D
In ruminants, these vitamins are synthesized in the body and deficiency does not occur but deficiency has been seen in monkeys, guinea pig and human. 4. Vitamin £E deficiency Maturation of oocytes or estrous cycle of the animals is not affected but normal growth of fetus during mid gestation is affected. Deficiency of vitamin -E for long period in the diet of bull adversely affects semen production. Retention of Fetal membranes in cattle and buffaloes: etiology, diagnosis and treatment Normally the fetal membranes are expelled within 3 -8 hours of normal parturition but sometimes it is delayed beyond 12-14 hrs or more after parturition then it is termed as retention of fetal membranes or retention of afterbirth. Retention of afterbirth results into delayed uterine involution and other several reproductive disorders leading to infertility or sometimes sterility. The incidence of fetal membranes is about 7% b ut in brucellosis affected herds or area, the incidence may be very high. After the parturition, umbilical cord of the calf is broken leading to cessation of the blood supply to the fetal cotyledons culminating into constriction of the cotyledons. During t he same time in mother, blood supply to the uterus is also curtailed affecting the size of maternal caruncles. The crypts on the maternal caruncles become loose facilitating the separation of fetal and maternal attachment of the placenta. In some animals t his normal process is affected due to different reasons leading to retention of fetal membranes. The major causes of the retention of fetal membranes are: Poor health of animal Deficiency of Vitamin A in diet Flaccid uterus Hydroallantois Dystocia Abortion 2.Incomplete gestation period 4.Infection of genital tract Uterine torsion Closed cervix Brucellosis
Other bacterial infections like Streptococcus dysgalactia, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeurogenosa and Corynaebacterium pyogenes Diagnosis The diagnosis of retention of placenta is quite easy as placenta would be hanging outside and can be seen easily but someti mes it is broken at different levels and present completely inside the uterus making the diagnosis difficult from outside. Under such conditions, it should be examined per vaginum after 24-36 hrs of parturition by the veterinarians. Under normal conditions it becomes difficult to insert hand inside the uterus after 48hrs of parturition but cervix remains open in ROP( Retention of placenta) affected animals. Symptoms
Animal becomes sick Reduced appetite and milk production Increased temperature and pulse rate, gradual decrease in body weight Abdominal cramps Bad odour after 24 hrs Foul discharge from genitalia
Mortality rate recorded in ROP ranges from 1 -2% only but the animal is severely affected from the reproduction point of view because uterus regain s its natural condition after a very long period which results into delayed resumption of cyclicity and consequently reduced conception rate. ROP results in heavy economic loss to the farmers in terms of production and less no. of calves per animal in life time. Treatment Uterotonic medicine like Uterotone, Replanta, Harira etc should be given for 2 -3 days. Gentle manual removal should be attempted 24 hrs after parturition. Excess force should not be applied to take out placenta as it may results into sept icemia or toxemia. Siphon out excess fluid from the uterus Avoid douching
If the farmer is insisting to remove the placenta, it should be attempted 24 -48 hrs of the parturition. If the cervical opening is closed, do not open it forcefully otherwise it may result into severe injury followed by sterility. Place 2 gms of antibiotic bolus in the uterus which help in the early separation of the placenta Local and parenteral administration of antibiotic should be done simultaneously Estrogenic medicine like estradiol or stilbesterol should be given at the rate of 2 -4 mg, 20-25 mg intramuscular, respectively. These medicines will increase the blood flow to the genitalia and help in early evacuation and regeneration of the endometrium of uterus. It has been observed that animal resumes cyclicity without much affecting conception rate even if placenta was expelled 10 -12 days following parturition by its own mechanism without human interference directly.
