T4: Post-partum

Question 1

what are the major events of postpartum period

Answer 1

-myometrial contractions and expulsion of lochia
-endometrial repair
-resumption of ovarian function
-elimination of bacterial contamination of the repro tract

Question 2

what is the purpose of the post partum events

Answer 2

allow the female to get pregnant again

Question 3

describe the return of estrus

Answer 3

fertility increases with the number of estrous cycles
-first = 35% pregnancy rate
-second= 50%
-third= 73%
-fourth=72%
-lactation anestrous (LH is suppressed)

Question 4

what are the three factors controlling postpartum anestrus

Answer 4

-uterine involution
-suckling
-nutrition

Question 5

what is uterine involution

Answer 5

retrograde changes in the females genital organs that result in a return to normal size after delivery

Question 6

describe the species uterine involution

Answer 6

-beef cow: 30 (quicker bc calf suckles more often)
-dairy cow: 45-50 (milked more often 2-3 x a day)
- ewe: 30
-sow: 29-30
-mare: 21-28

Question 7

describe the influence of suckling frequency upon blood LH

Answer 7

low blood LH in anestrus: alot of suckling and right after birth
-increase in the blood LH, the dam should be cycling, suckling decreases

Question 8

what is foal heat

Answer 8

average: 10 d post foaling
-is a fertile, ovulatory heat, which is usually a decreased pregnancy rate (recovery of the uterus did not occur)

Question 9

describe the study done that was the suppression of LH frequency

Answer 9

• even with the cows that has the neural pathway severed, acute weaning causes the same effect as in cows with intact
• conclusion: suckling cannot be totally responsible for suppressing LH in the post partum cow
  -there was no difference between the intact cow (suckling and cycling)

Question 10

how can you improve reproductive perfomance

Answer 10

• wean calves early
  -decrease suckling frequency
• initiate short term weaning

Question 11

describe prepartum nutrition

Answer 11

undernourishing cows prior to calving delays the onset of cycling following calving

Question 12

describe postpartum nutrition

Answer 12

undernourishing cows after calving reduces fertility of cows when they do exhibit estrus (and may delay the onset of cycling)

Question 13

can you still get pregnant when lactating

Answer 13

yes