Serum biochemical profile in buffalo endometritis and impact of treatment with PGF2α and intrauterine gentamicin infusion on postpartum reproductive performance

Improving reproductive performance of repeat breeder buffalo cows due to clinical endometritis is crucial in overcoming infertility problems in buffalo cows. The aim of the present study was to use PGF2α and/or gentamicin 10% for treatment of endometritis and to determine biochemical parameters in serum that could be used to diagnose endometritis in buffalo cows. A total of 64 anestrous buffalo cows were assigned into one of five treatment groups: group one (n = 9) buffalo cows were physiological normal cows and served as a control group; group 2 buffalo cows had endometritis, but were not treated (n = 10); group 3 buffalo cows had endometritis and were treated with intrauterine delivery of 100 ml of a 10% gentamicin sulfate solution in three times within 1 week (n = 15); group 4 buffalo cows received two I.M. doses of PGF2α (2 ml Estrumate IM) at the time of corpus luteum dominance (n = 15) (treatment 4 does not make sense as you stated that the cows were in anestrus) on the ovary; group 5 buffalo cows received two IM doses of PGF2α at an 11 day interval and the 10% gentamicin solution as described for group 3. Serum samples were collected from control, pre-treated, and post-treated buffalo cows with endometritis to evaluate the diagnostic biochemical parameters. The days to first estrus (DFE), number of services per conception (S/C), days open (DO), and pregnancy rate (Preg) were the measures for determining reproductive performance for the buffalo cows. The buffalo cows treated by gentamicin and PGF2 exhibited their first estrus earlier than cows in the other four groups of cows. The number of days open for control cows was greater (P < 0.05) than for the other groups and the control cows, as were the number of services per conception (P < 0.05) and pregnancy rate (30%: P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify biochemical parameters in serum to predict endometritis. Creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and concentrations of total bilirubin and immunoglobulins in serum were greater (P < 0.05), while serum albumin values were lower (P < 0.05) in serum of buffalo cows with endometritis. From the ROC analyses, CK was the most predictable biomarker for endometritis with an area under the curve of 0.889, sensitivity of 80%, and specificity of 100% (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the use of gentamicin and PGF2 for treatment of endometritis improves the reproductive performance of buffalo cows, and concentrations of CK serve as an aid for diagnosing endometritis.Graphical abstract.

Effects of cloprostenol and oxytocin on ultrasonographic changes of uterine horns in postpartum primiparous Hu sheep

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exogenous hormones on postpartum ultrasonographic changes of uterine horn in Hu sheep. 90 nulliparous Hu sheep were divided into three groups according to the number of lambs. Each group was further randomly subdivided into three groups (n = 10), a control group (sodium chloride), a PG group (cloprostol), and a PG+OT group (cloprostol + oxytocin). The effects of different treatments on ultrasonographic changes of uterine horn and reproductive performance of ewes were determined after the treatment. Then, 90 nulliparous ewes were divided into a control group, PG group, and PG+OT group according to hormone injections received. Each group (n = 30) consisted of 10 single, 10 twin, and 10 triple ewes. Changes in the levels of hormones P4, LH, FSH, and E2 in the serum of postpartum ewes, the time of the first estrus, and the conception rate were detected. Results showed that the higher the lambing rate, the slower the rate of ultrasonographic changes of uterine horn. The rate of ultrasonographic changes of uterine horn in the PG+OT group was faster than that in respective PG and the control groups. Caruncle diameter was not affected by the number of lambs or hormone treatment. After delivery, the concentrations of P4 and LH increased rapidly and remained at a relatively high level, while the concentration of E2 increased in all ewes. The PG+OT group had lower P4 concentrations compared to the control group, but higher LH, FSH, and E2 levels. The time to first postpartum estrus was significantly shorter in the PG+OT group, but differences in pregnancy rate were not significant. Thus, PG+OT treatment can significantly accelerate postpartum ultrasonographic changes of uterine horn, which can prepare postpartum ewes for the next reproductive cycle.