1. PARTURITION AND POSTPARTUM RECOVERY

Question 1

What are the 3 parturition stages?

Answer 1

1. softening and dilation of the cervix –> complete dilation of the cervix –> fetus enters the cervix
2. Complete dilation of the cervix –> fetus expelled
3. Expulsion of the placenta

Question 2

What is the normal birth position?

Answer 2

rests on it thorax/abdomen with the head facing backwards (towards the cervix). Nose is resting between the forefeet
forefeet against cervix

Question 3

In monotocous species, what is the first sign of parturition?

Answer 3

Rotation of fetus

Question 4

As parturition approaches what happens to the mammary glands?

Answer 4

They grow rapidly and glands enlarge as they fill with milk. As oxytocin is released during labour, milk let down will occur.

Question 5

What are other changes that occur during the birthing process?

Answer 5

• relaxin synergise with oestrogen, which causes the expansion of the pelvis and birth canal
• The vulva becomes soft and swollen
• mucus is excreted from the vulva
• nesting instincts kick in

Question 6

During late gestation there are high levels of

Answer 6

progresterone, relaxin, oestrogen.

Question 7

48 hrs before parturition, there are rapid changes in the maternal hormones which include…….

Answer 7

decrease in progesterone, increase in relaxin, oestrogen, oxytocin, PGF2alpha

Question 8

What triggers the rapid changes in the maternal hormones

Answer 8

Foetal cortisol

Question 9

Give the hormonal changes that occur due to incease in foetal cortisol. for cows does and sows.

Answer 9

• This foetal cortisol causes the release of enzymes,
• then P4 gets converted to E2 by these enzymes
• this causes an increase in placental E2 and a decrease in P4
• causes an increase in endometrial PGF2alpha
• CL regresses
• P4 decreases
• increase in myometrium contractions

Question 10

what increases the release of PGF2alpha

Answer 10

oxytocin

Question 11

When is oxytocin at its highest conc.

Answer 11

expulsion of the fetus

Question 12

What are the stress responses that have a positive regulatory influence on milk synthesis

Answer 12

maternal cortisol and prolactin

Question 13

what are the 2 main physiological events of parturition

Answer 13

• dilation of the cervix

- uterine contractions

Question 14

What causes initial dilation of the cervix?

Answer 14

relaxin as it synergises with the increase levels of oestrogen

Question 15

What causes uterine contractions?

Answer 15

• Reduced P4 reduces contraction inhibition
• Low P4 along with rising oestrogen up regulates uterine receptors for E2 and oxytocin in the myometrium
• initial contractions are due to the PGF2a from the endometrium by increasing oestrogen
• when the fetus is in the cervix, the sensory nerves are stimulated and oxytocin is released which initiates stronger uterine contractions

Question 16

Define anoxia

Answer 16

lower oxygen supply to the fetus

Question 17

What are the advantages of induced parturition?

Answer 17

• group parturition facilitate closer observation
• more offspring with the same age, size
• shorter gestation and general interval
• set precise time for parturition
• allows for extra time to resume breeding
• medical reasons like pregnancy toxaemia

Question 18

What are the disadvantages of induced parturition?

Answer 18

• endometriosis
• delayed onset of puberty
• reduced first cycle pregnancy rate
• cattle have a high incidence of retained placenta
• treatments only effective close to term , must know exact breeding rate

Question 19

How is corticosteroids used to induce parturition?

Answer 19

• corticosteroids include dexamethasone and flumethasone
• with a single injection 2 weeks prior to normal parturition in cattle
• parturitions happens 24 to 72 hrs later
• works on placenta effectiveness, depends on placental penetration

Question 20

How is prostaglandins used to induce parturition?

Answer 20

• injected near the calving date
• parturition happens 24 to 72 hrs later
• causes a cl degeneration
• if you inject cattle before 200 days or after 260 days the fetus will be aborted

Question 21

Which 2 substances can be injected into animals to induce parturition?

Answer 21

• corticosteroids

- prostaglandins

Question 22

What is dystocia?

Answer 22

Prolonged and difficult parturition

Question 23

What causes dystocia?

Answer 23

• oversized fetus
• twin pregnancies
• abnormal position
• cattle has a small pelvic diameter
• heifer is bred before the ideal weight
• dystocia is more common in male animals

Question 24

How long does the 3 parturition stages tage in a cow?

Answer 24

1= 2-6 hrs
2= 30-60 min
3= 6-12 hrs

Question 25

How long does the 3 parturition stages take in an ewe

Answer 25

1= 2-6 hrs
2= 30-120 min
3= 5-8 hrs

Question 26

How long does the 3 parturition stages take in a mare

Answer 26

1= 1-4 hrs
2= 12-30 min
3= 1 hr

Question 27

How long does the 3 parturition stages take in a sow?

Answer 27

1= 2-12 hrs
2= 150-180 mins
3= 1-4 hrs

Question 28

What happens the following year after dystocia?

Answer 28

• reduced fertility
• calving interval extended
• fewer calves born the following year

Question 29

How does a calve absorb maternal antibodies?

Answer 29

through colostrum in its intestine

Question 30

What could be the deficiencies causing a retained placenta?

Answer 30

se and vit A

Question 31

If a cow has a retained placenta, how do you treat her?

Answer 31

flush uterus out with lukewarm water with 1% of iodine

IM injection of estradiol cypionate which increases the myometrium tone

Question 32

Define farrowing oestrus

Answer 32

Infertile oestrus with no ovulation