Vascular endothelial growth factor: A novel marker for torsion-induced incomplete cervical dilatation in Egyptian buffaloes.

Background: Uterine torsion, the most complicated cause of maternal dystocia recorded in bovine, usually followed by incomplete cervical dilatation after successful detorsion, which interfere with vaginal fetal delivery. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the histopathological changes, variable collagen concentrations, and vascular endothelial growth factor expressions in uterine and cervical tissues following successful detorsion. Methods: Animals were classified into four groups; normally calved cases (group A), cases that respond successfully to detorsion and followed by vaginal fetal delivery without (group B) or with (group C) cervical laceration, and cases that suffered from failure of complete cervical dilatation after successful detorsion (group D). Results: Histopathological findings revealed variable changes in all uterine torsion affected groups, which were characteristic and marked in animals that suffered from failure of complete cervical dilatation following successful detorsion. Moreover, failure of cervical dilatation was associated with the highest collagen concentrations as shown by Masson trichrome stain. On the other hand, immunohistochemical findings showed that the normally calved cases have the highest vascular endothelial growth factor expression compared with animals that suffered from failure of complete cervical dilatation. Conclusion: Our results showed that the vascular endothelial growth factor is essential for cervical dilatation and its lower expression is accompanied by incomplete cervical dilatation following successful detorsion.

The nitric oxide serum level and combined utero-placental thickness in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) affected by pregnancy pathology.

The present study aimed mainly to study the level of nitric oxide (NO) and combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) in buffaloes affected by pregnancy pathology. Females (n = 104) were classified into three main groups: nonpregnant (n = 10), healthy pregnant (n = 54), and pathologically pregnant (n = 40). The healthy pregnant animals were subgrouped according to the stage of pregnancy to early stage (n = 15), mid stage (n = 15), late stage (n = 19), and full term (n = 5). The animals in which pregnancy was associated with placental pathology were subgrouped to uterine torsion (n = 27), hydroallantois (n = 5), and abortion (n = 8). Blood samples were collected from all animals to estimate the NO level using Griess reaction test. Combined thickness of the uterus and placenta was measured at the most caudal part of the pregnant horn using a rectal ultrasound probe. Placental tissue samples were collected from all pregnant animals just after delivery or abortion for histopathologic section. The results revealed that the level of NO was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in pregnant than in nonpregnant animals (6.89 ± 0.18 µM). Additionally, NO level was decreased significantly at full term (18.26 ± 0.27 µM) when compared to the other stages of pregnancy. Moreover, there was a decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in the level of NO in cases of uterine torsion (22.22 ± 0.46 µM) and hydroallantois (24.20 ± 0.07 µM) in comparison with the normal pregnant buffalo. The CTUP was significantly increased as pregnancy progressed. The CTUP in cases of uterine torsion (18.2 ± 3.3 mm) was higher (P < 0.05) than in healthy pregnant buffalo at the same stage of pregnancy. Additionally, CTUP significantly differed between different types of uterine torsion. There was no significant difference between CTUP in hydroallantois and abortion cases besides healthy pregnancy. Histopathologic examination revealed a great proliferation and hyperplasia of cytotrophoblastic cells only in uterine torsion and hydroallantois cases. In conclusion, NO level and CTUP can be used as indicators for pregnancy pathology that is usually associated with presence of cytotrophoblastic cells and placental insufficiency.

Prognosis prediction of uterine torsion mechanical treatment (rolling) after estimation of calcium and creatinine level in the serum of buffaloes (bubalus bubalis).

The present study was carried out to investigate the relationship between creatinine and calcium concentration in buffalo serum in cases of uterine torsion before rolling, and 1 h and 24 h after calving. The degree, duration and site of uterine torsion, as well as fetus viability, time needed for cervical dilation, and the occurrence of uterine rupture were recorded. A total of 150 pregnant buffaloes suffering from colic and anorexia were brought to our clinic and clinically examined. Of these, 35 buffaloes were diagnosed with uterine torsion (different durations, directions and degrees) and the viability of the foeti and any evidence of uterine rupture were determined using ultrasonography and the serum levels of creatinine and calcium were estimated using calorimetric method. The animals were also examined for incidence of uterine rupture after rolling and calving. The calcium level significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with increasing duration and severity of uterine torsion, however, it was higher in cases where a live fetus was delivered compared with a dead one. Conversely, the creatinine level significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increasing duration and severity of uterine torsion but was lower in cases that delivered a live fetus compared with a dead one. The calcium and creatinine levels returned to approximately normal concentration within 24 h after calving. In conclusion, calcium and creatinine serum concentration have a correlation with duration and severity of uterine torsion. Animals with low levels of calcium (below 8.44 mg/dL) and high levels of creatinine (above 2.25 mg/dL) did not usually respond to rolling or suffer from uterine rupture during calving. The calcium and creatinine levels can be used as indicators for the prognosis of mechanical treatment of uterine torsion in buffaloes.