Postpartum disease (Yr 4)

Question 1

what has to happen from calling until establishment of the next pregnancy?

Answer 1

involution of the uterus
restoration of endometrium
resumption of ovarian cycling
insemination
fertilisation
maintain pregnancy

Question 2

how long does it take the endometrium to regenerate?

Answer 2

3 weeks

Question 3

when are times in an animals like when they undergo resumption of cyclicity?

Answer 3

puberty
recovering from NEB
post partum
onset of seasonal breeding (not cows!!)

Question 4

what are the levels of progesterone and oestrogen after calving?

Answer 4

low

Question 5

does the first dominant follicle after parturition ovulate?

Answer 5

yes if the follicle is big enough and hence producing enough oestradiol which depends on the LH surge which is affected nutrition/health of the cow

Question 6

why is the first ovulation often a silent oestrus?

Answer 6

the follicle is small due to the amount of progesterone present, this means it isn’t producing as much oestrogen so the signs of oestrus won’t be triggered

Question 7

what are some reasons for failure of fertilisation or embryonic losses?

Answer 7

fertilisation failure…
AI technique/timing
oocyte health/quality
uterine environment
infectious agents (BVD, BHV, leptospirosis, campylobacter)
metabolic status/nutrition of dam
genetic abnormalities of the embryo

Question 8

when are foetal membranes defined as retained?

Answer 8

if they haven’t been passed within 24 hours

Question 9

what are some possible production effects of retained foetal membranes?

Answer 9

lower milk yields
longer for uterus to involute meaning longer before returning to cycling and conception
subsequent uterine infections

Question 10

what are the consequences of uterine infections?

Answer 10

damage to uterus
suppression of hypothalamic GnRH and pituitary LH secretion
local effects on ovarian function

Question 11

what are the main pathogens involved in uterine infections?

Answer 11

E. coli (gram negative)
Truperella pyogenes (gram positive)
Dichelobacter nodosus (gram negative)
Fusobacterium necrophorum (gram negative)
bovine herpesvirus 4

Question 12

what are some risk factors for uterine infections?

Answer 12

twins
RFM
dystocia
reduced dry matter intake when dry
negative energy balance after calving
milk fever/vitamin D
vitamin E/selenium
vitamin A
iodine

Question 13

what is metritis?

Answer 13

abnormally enlarged uterus and purulent uterine discharge detectable in the vagina within 21 days after parturition

Question 14

what are the grades of metritis?

Answer 14

1 - enlarged uterus with purulent uterine discharge but no pyrexia/illness
2 - overt systemic illness (pyrexia, milk drop…)
3 - signs of toxaemia (cold extremities, dull…)

Question 15

what is pyometra?

Answer 15

accumulation of purulent material within the uterine lumen in the presence of a corpus lutetium and a closed cervix

Question 16

how can a pyometra be treated?

Answer 16

prostaglandin (PGF) due to the presence of a CL

Question 17

what is endometritis?

Answer 17

presence of purulent uterine discharge detectable in the vagina 21 days or more postpartum

Question 18

how can endometritis be graded?

Answer 18

0 - clear fluid
1 - flecks of white/pus
2 - <50% white or off-white material
3 - >50% purulent material (can be bloody)

Question 19

what is subclinical endometritis?

Answer 19

precedes of immune cells in the uterus when flushed with saline, however not necessarily any bacteria cultured

Question 20

what are the risk factors for subclinical endometritis?

Answer 20

negative energy balance (ketosis)
metritis

Question 21

what are the two types of cystic ovarian disease?

Answer 21

follicular
luteal

Question 22

how will a cow with a luteal cyst present?

Answer 22

anoestrus (constant progesterone production)

Question 23

how will a cow with a follicular cyst present?

Answer 23

nymphomania (high levels of oestradiol causing constant oestrus behaviour)

Question 24

when is cystic ovarian disease most commonly seen?

Answer 24

<60 days in milk (don’t treat if less than 30 days in milk as often correct themselves)

Question 25

what are some risk factors for cystic ovarian disease?

Answer 25

high milk production
negative energy balance and ketosis (raised NEFA)
high parity
twinning and periparturient problems
excess BCS at drying off
genetic predisposition

Question 26

what causes a follicular cyst?

Answer 26

follicle that fails to ovulate due to interference with GnRH and LH production

Question 27

what is the dominant structure if there is a follicular cyst and CL on the cows ovaries?

Answer 27

CL (this is always the dominant structure)

Question 28

how are follicular cysts visually identifiable?

Answer 28

thin wall (<3mm)
fluid filled
internal diameter >25mm
(>10 day duration)

Question 29

what assumption can be made if there is a follicular cyst with other small follicles also present?

Answer 29

follicular cyst has stopped producing oestradiol as other follicles can’t develop when oestrogen is being produced

Question 30

what inhibits the development of other follicles in cases of follicular cysts?

Answer 30

cyst is producing oestrogen which is inhibiting the LH surge

Question 31

what is the appearance of a luteal cyst?

Answer 31

> 25mm external diameter
thick wall (>3mm)
fluid filled lacuna
trabeculae can be present
(duration >10 days)

Question 32

how can you treat a follicular cyst?

Answer 32

burst/aspirate
GnRH (cause it to ovulate)
progesterone (PRID) - when removed the sudden drop of progesterone creates an LH surge
leave alone (less than 30 days calved)

Question 33

should you inseminate a cow that has came into oestrus after having a follicular cyst?

Answer 33

no - oocyte often old and infertile

Question 34

how are luteal cysts treated?

Answer 34

prostaglandin

Question 35

if you are unsure whether a cyst is follicular or luteal, what can be done to treat it?

Answer 35

progesterone device (PRID)

Question 36

how is metritis usually treated?

Answer 36

systemic antibiotics (amoxicillin)