Evaluation of cervical and uterine size, at 4 weeks postpartum, as a predictor of subsequent fertility in Jersey cattle

Specific locations and amounts of denatured collagen and collagen-specific chaperone HSP47 in the uterine cervices of old cows compared with those of heifers

Collagen, the most abundant extra-cellular matrix in the reproductive tract, performs a critical role in pregnancy. Although detecting damaged collagen in tissues is challenging, we recently developed a new in situ detection method using a denatured collagen detection reagent in bovine oviducts and uteri. Utilizing this method, we evaluated the hypothesis that the locations and amounts of denatured collagen in the uterine cervices of old cows are different from those in young heifers as a result of repeated pregnancies and deliveries. We compared damaged collagen in the uterine cervix at the mid-luteal phase between post-pubertal growing nulliparous heifers (22.1 ± 1.0 months old; n = 5) and old multiparous cows (143.1 ± 15.6 months old; 9 ± 1 parities; sacrificed at least 3 months after the last parturition by vaginal delivery; n = 5). Picrosirius red staining showed collagen in almost all parts of the cervices. Expectedly, the amount of damaged collagen was increased in the cervices of old cows. Additionally, we combined in situ detection and fluorescence immunohistochemistry of the collagen-specific molecular chaperone, the 47 kDa heat shock protein (HSP47). Increased HSP47 amounts were observed in the cervices from the old cows, but damaged collagen and HSP47 were not located in the same areas. The age differences were confirmed by western blotting using the anti-HSP47 antibody. These findings revealed the specific location and amounts of denatured collagen in the uterine cervices of old cows compared with those of heifers.

Evaluation of the portio vaginalis of the cervix by B-mode and colour Doppler ultrasound in Simmental cattle

This study was aimed to reveal the relationship between the B-mode and colour Doppler ultrasonography features of the portio vaginalis of the cervix in Simmental cattle with different physiological and pathological conditions of genital organs. For this purpose, 90 cattle were used in the study. The length, width and circumference of the portio vaginalis of the cervix were measured ultrasonographically using a 5 MHz linear probe. In addition, the portio vaginalis of the cervix was ultrasonographically evaluated in terms of echogenicity, cystic formations, calcification and integrity of its borders. Regarding the colour Doppler ultrasonography, measurements of the vascular distribution category, vascular density and the vascular morphological appearance were made. In this study, it was found that the rate of irregularity of the border of the portio vaginalis in B-mode ultrasonography according to the pregnancy status was 10.9% in non-pregnant cows, while this was not observed in pregnant cows (0.0%). According to the metritis status, it was observed that the rate of regularity of the border of the portio vaginalis was higher in animals with metritis (45.5%) in B-mode ultrasonography. As a result, it was concluded that there were significant changes in the B-mode and colour Doppler ultrasonography characteristics of the portio vaginalis of the cervix in different physiological and pathological conditions in cattle, and that hypotheses can be developed regarding the fertility of the animals by evaluating these characteristics.