Bacterial contamination of fetal fluids at the time of cesarean section in the cow.

Complications after cesarean section delivery in cattle are mainly the result of infections. The bacteria responsible for this infection can be of exogenous or endogenous origin. In this investigation endogenous contamination was studied. Fetal fluid samples of 23 cows were collected from the uterine cavity during cesarean section just after the removal of the calf, by means of a sterile disposable plastic syringe. The uterine flora was cultured, quantitated and presumptively identified by using selective and elective agarplates. Nineteen samples were positive after culture. Eleven samples contained obligate anaerobic bacteria. When the amniotic sac was broken before the obstetrical examination, the total number of bacteria was significantly higher. Vaginal exploration by the farmer had no significant influence on the number of bacteria encountered. Cesarean section is considered a clean contaminated procedure. One must always take into account that the fetal fluids are contaminated with the endogenous vaginal flora. This leads inevitably to contamination of the wound and the peritoneal cavity. Properly antimicrobial prophylaxis is certainly indicated.

Factors influencing complications during caesarean section on the standing cow.

The complications occurring during Caesarean section are reviewed, and then an investigation of the factors influencing three important complications, namely recumbency of the animal, increased contractility of the uterus, and difficulties with exteriorization of the pregnant uterine born, is described. Two epidemiological and statistical methods were used. The parity, the type of animal, the use of sedatives, and difficulties with the exteriorization of the pregnant horn had, with increasing significance, an independent influence on recumbency of the cow. Attempts to extract the calf was the only factor that significantly increased uterine contractility. The surgeon, the parity, the increased uterine contractility, the position of the calf, and the presence of adhesions were associated with increasing significance, with difficult exteriorization of the pregnant horn. It is very important to know the factors that influence the occurrence of complications during surgery, in order to take some precautions to minimize the complications after the operation.

Post-partum anoestrus in dairy cows: a review.

In modern high-yielding dairy herds fertility is of major economic importance. In order to gain maximum profit, calving intervals should not exceed 365 days. The achievement of a 365-day calving interval requires an early resumption of ovarian activity, an excellent oestrus detection, and a high first-service conception rate. Especially the inability to detect oestrus and to mate the cows by 60 to 80 days after calving is a common problem among dairy farmers nowadays. In this article a review is given about the occurrence, causes, treatment, and prevention of post-partum anoestrus in dairy cows.

Birth of double-muscled Belgian Blue calves after transfer of in vitro produced embryos into dairy cattle.

The possible application of the bovine in vitro fertilization technique for economical beef production was evaluated by transferring in vitro produced Belgian Blue embryos to synchronized dairy cows and heifers. In total, 4167 oocytes, collected in the slaughterhouse from double-muscled Belgian Blue cows, were matured in vitro. Frozen-thawed semen from 3 Belgian Blue bulls was used for in vitro fertilization. Zygotes were cultured in B(2) + 10% estrous cow serum together with oviductal cells at 39 degrees C in 5% CO(2) in air. After 7 days, 576 (13.8%) transferable embryos were obtained. One hundred and eighteen of the most advanced embryos were selected for fresh transfer into 90 recipients. Some of the remaining embryos were frozen using conventional methods. After fresh transfer, 50 recipients (55.6%) had elevated progesterone at day 23. Thirty cows (33.3%) calved after a mean gestation length of 282.8+/-6.0 days and produced 25 single births and 5 twins. The sex ratio was 71.4%. The mean birth weight was 45.1+/-8.3 kg. Three calves were of the conventional type instead of double-muscled and 2 calves died of congenital malformations. After transfer of in vitro produced frozen-thawed Belgian Blue embryos into 27 recipients (1 embryo/recipient), 2 bull calves (7.4%) were born. Bovine embryo production by in vitro techniques could form a low-cost supply of beef calves. However, to render it commercially attractive, selection of sires and dams has to be performed with great care.

[A study of uterine adhesions following suturing of the uterus with catgut or Vicryl in cesarean sections in cattle]. / Een onderzoek naar vergroeiingen van de uterus na het hechten van de uterus met catgut of Vicryl bij de sectio caesarea van het rund.

A caesarean section was performed in 202 cows for the first time. The uterus of 103 of these cows was sutured with Vicryl (7 metric) and the uterus of 99 cows was sutured with plain catgut (9 metric). The cows were randomly allotted to the two groups. All cows were rectally examined to diagnose adhesions between the uterus and the surrounding tissue five weeks post partum. Adhesions were found in 50% of the cases. There were no differences in the number of adhesions and the severity of the adhesions between the catgut and the Vicryl group (Table 1).

[Can fertility in cattle be improved by administration of Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)?]. / Kan de fertiliteit van het rund worden verbeterd door toediening van gonadotroop releasing hormoon (GnRH)?

In this article a review is given of the results obtained with gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) in the treatment of repeat breeder cows, cows used for embryo transfer and of cows in the early post partum period. It is concluded that the results of GnRh administration to repeat breeders is very variable. It is quite sure that the positive effect of GnRH, if any is so low that from an economic point of view, treatment, can not be advised. The usefulness of administration of GnRH to embryo-transfer cows is very doubtful. There are as many publications with positive as with negative results. The administration of GnRH in the early post partum period can not be recommended. With this 'therapy' conflicting results have been obtained and occasionally negative side effects have emerged.

Actinobacillosis in bovine caesarean sections.

An infection with Actinobacillus lignieresii, which was spread by a veterinary surgeon, caused problems after caesarean sections in cows on several farms. The wounds became hard about six weeks after the operation, and a few weeks later small abscesses developed and later the wounds were covered with small and large granulomas. The general health of about 20 per cent of the affected cows was poor and in these cows multiple granulomas could be detected in the abdomen by rectal palpation.

[The relationship between feeding and fertility in dairy cattle]. / Das Verhältnis zwischen Fütterung und Fruchtbarkeit beim Milchrind.

The possible relationship between nutrition and fertility in dairy cows are reviewed. Study of the literature shows that opinions on the effect of the various nutrients differ markedly. The conclusion which can be made is that in countries where standards of dairy farming are high, nutrition only plays a minor role in the problem of herd subfertility. In the course of time deficiencies in a large number of minerals, trace elements and vitamins have been stressed as a cause of inadequate fertility. However cows are at present generally fed with a lot of well balanced concentrates and therefore deficiencies are very unlikely to occur. During early lactation every high producing dairy cow has a negative energy balance. In a number of cows this results in anoestrus and in a long interval from parturition to first insemination. Overfeeding during late lactation and the dry period does not adversely affect subsequent reproduction but may cause puerperal disorders. The relation between protein nutrition and fertility is complex. Protein effects on fertility are minor. Problems can arise if there is a combination of a high percentage of crude protein (greater than 18%), a high rumen degradability of the protein and a low energy content of the diet. The value of metabolic profile tests is minimal because they do not differentiate between normal herds and herds with fertility problems.

[Reproduction of beef cattle]. / De voortplanting van vleesvee.

The literature on the reproduction of beef cattle is reviewed in the present paper. To begin with the differences between dairy and beef cattle are elucidated. Secondly, the most important reproductive problems of beef cows are discussed. Items discussed include: the arrival of puberty, the interval between parturition and the first service and infertility. In Belgium, where nearly all beef cows belong to the double muscled White and Blue breed and have to be delivered by caesarean sections, many fertility problems are due to adhesions between the uterus and the surrounding tissues. Besides the quality of the semen of many of the bulls used is rather poor. This is probably caused by the extreme selection for beef production. Finally, the criteria which should be used to determine the reproductive efficiency of beef cows are discussed. Such as the percentage of pregnant cows, the proportion of live and weaned calves and the calving interval.

[White heifer disease as a cause of herd subfertility]. / Witte Vaarzenziekte als oorzaak van bedrijfssubfertiliteit.

In a herd with fertility problems mainly in the heifers, White Heifer Disease was diagnosed in a quarter of the animals. All affected animals were of the Belgian Blue breed and were sired bij the same bull. It was concluded that as a consequence of the hereditary character of the affection, White Heifer Disease can cause herd subfertility, mainly when a high degree of inbreeding has taken place. Especially in the Belgian Blue breed, which is a rather small population with many white animals, the breeding stock should be examined to eliminate the carriers of this disease.