Association between evaluation of the reproductive tract by various diagnostic tests and restoration of ovarian cyclicity in high-producing dairy cows.
The uterine condition of clinically normal postpartum Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (n = 45) was evaluated once weekly (Weeks 3 to 7) by endometrial cytology, vaginal mucus collection device (VMCD), vaginoscopy, and ultrasonography to establish a relationship with postpartum resumption of ovulatory cycles. The time of first detection of the corpus luteum (CL) by ultrasonography and plasma progesterone concentration >or=1 ng/mL was recorded. By 49 d postpartum, 78% of the cows (n=35) had resumed ovarian function (CL group), whereas the remainder (n=10) had no CL (NCL group). There was a positive correlation between VMCD score and presence of fluid in the uterus in cows with a CL (P<0.01) during Week 3 postpartum but no significant correlation in cows without a CL. Percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN%) was higher in the NCL group (mean+/-SEM, 24.6+/-9.4%) than in the CL group (11.7+/-2.2%) during Week 5 postpartum (P<0.05). The PMN% (4.5+/-6.5%) and VMCD (0.5+/-0.5) scores during Week 5 in cows ovulating by Day 28 were lower (P<0.01) than the PMN% (15.0+/-14.3%) and VMCD (1.1+/-0.9) scores in those ovulating by Day 49. In conclusion, higher PMN% at 5 wk postpartum was associated with delayed resumption of ovarian cyclicity in high-producing dairy cows.
Laboratory of Theriogenology, Iwate University, Morioka, 020-8550, Japan.
W S
WS
Senosy
M
M
Uchiza
N
N
Tameoka
Y
Y
Izaike
T
T
Osawa
D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002452:Cell Count; D003612:Dairying; D003944:Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological / Q000662:veterinary*; D004526:Efficiency; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D055703:Reproductive Physiological Phenomena; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014621:Vagina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000662:veterinary
D011374:Progesterone