Management of Post-partum period for optimizing Animal Production :1 Management of Post-partum period for optimizing Animal Production


Introduction :2 Introduction Normal reproduction is the basis for sound animal husbandry and is one of the most important considerations determining the profitability of bovine reproduction.


Introduction :3 Introduction Cattle and Buffaloes are kept for economic gain. The progressive dairy husbandry cannot be maintained on a high level unless calving intervals are kept at a minimum. In attempting to achieve a desirable economically necessary 12 – 14 month calving interval, the interval from calving to conception must be 85 – 115 days.


Introduction :4 Introduction To achieve this goal, breeding of cows and buffaloes that have normal calving and post-partum periods should begin at 50 days after two post-partum estrous cycles, 14 to 18 days and 30 to 38 days. These are necessary to result in good conception rates. This then allows two breeding periods between 50 and 85 days or three breeding periods between 50 and 115 days.


Introduction :5 Introduction Breeding prior to 50 days post-partum is generally not desirable because of reduced conception rate and this practice could cause an abbreviated dry period. Economic losses occur when large numbers of conception occur earlier than 50 days or more than 100 days.


Introduction :6 Introduction Prevention is better than Cure. Correction of factors causing prolonged calving intervals is more important than early post-partum breeding to an economically profitable production record for a herd. Therefore, the early onset of the observation of and recording of regular post-partum estrous cycles of all animals is imperative.


Prevention of Post-partum Anoestrus :7 Prevention of Post-partum Anoestrus A nutritional programme should be prepared for the dry animal to avoid over-conditioning and the problems associated with the fat cow syndrome at calving and then as milk production increases after calving, energy intake should keep pace so that the animal is not losing weight the first 90 days post-partum. A negative energy balance is associated with post-partum anoestrus. If this is promoted earlier estrous cycling occurs which improves the conception rate 60 days post-partum.


Calving should be :8 Calving should be Calving should be in a clean, well bedded with straw or hay, disinfected stall to avoid post-partum retained placenta and post-partum infections.


Calving should be :9 Calving should be Animals with milk fever, retained placenta, metritis, post-parturient ketosis, acute mastitis, fail to return to a level or positive energy balance. Animals developing cystic ovaries and owners failing to detect animals in oestrus, all result in a delayed return to service and a prolonged calving to conception interval.


Management of Post-partum Period :10 Management of Post-partum Period Monitoring postpartum health allows the opportunity to identify sick cows early and provide supportive therapy. Furthermore, it can help prevent diseases. For example, an animal treated early for a uterine infection is less likely to develop secondary disorders such as ketosis. Another example would be an animal diagnosed with sub-clinical ketosis: if treated a loss in milk production can be prevented.


Retention of Placenta :11 Retention of Placenta Animals that retain the placenta for more than 12 hours after calving are more likely to develop uterine disease than are animals that do not retain their placenta. However, those animals whose reproductive tract rapidly returns to normal following a retained placenta are as fertile as their herdmates. This indicates that in the absence of a subsequent reproductive abnormality, a retained placenta has a minimal effect on reproductive performance. The prevalence of retained placentas is higher following delivery of twins or deliveries complicated by dystocia. Delivery of a calf outside the normal gestation length (shortened or prolonged) is accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of retained placentas.


Retention of Placenta :12 Retention of Placenta The clinical signs of retained placentas are usually obvious to the dairy producer, but in some cases the placenta may be entirely within the genital tract. Most affected animals show no serious clinical signs other than a transient decrease in appetite and milk production. Some animals -- 20 to 25 percent -- affected by retained placentas develop moderate to severe infections of the uterus. The most objectionable clinical signs are the malodorous discharge and the unsightly mass of tissue hanging from the genital tract. Retained placentas are usually expelled seven to 10 days after calving.


Retention of Placenta :13 Retention of Placenta Researchers have advocated a variety of treatments for retained placentas, including aggressive attempts at manual removal, intrauterine or systemic antibiotics (alone or combined with manual removal) and no therapy whatsoever


Retention of Placenta :14 Retention of Placenta Manual removal: Most contemporary authors agree that manual removal of the placenta is indicated only when it may be removed by gentle traction, indicating that most or all placentomes have separated. Manual removal is specifically contraindicated when the patient shows any sign of systemic illness (septicemia). Unfortunately, many dairy producers are accustomed by tradition to manual removal and may insist on attempting the procedure to the detriment of the patient's health and future fertility.


Retention of Placenta :15 Retention of Placenta Myometrial stimulants Several authors have suggested that oxytocin administered within the first 24 to 48 hours after calving may be beneficial in promoting expulsion of the placenta. More recent work, however, has shown that treatment with a single dose of oxytocin does not reduce the incidence of retained placentas in cows that calve normally nor in cows that require assistance at calving. Treatment with an estrogenic hormone immediately after calving may decrease fertility in cows with retained placentas.


Retention of Placenta :16 Retention of Placenta AntibioticsReports concerning the results of treatment of retained placentas are conflicting. In one trial, reproductive performance of cows with retained placentas treated with intrauterine tetracycline was found to be similar to that of unaffected herdmates and better than that of affected cows that were examined vaginally. Others have found that treatment with tetracycline reduced subsequent fertility and that normal conception rates could be expected if no medication were given. Routine treatment of cows that required assistance at delivery or had retained placentas with systemic and intrauterine antibiotics did not help prevent metritis. Pyometra may develop even in treated cows.


Uterine infections :17 Uterine infections Even without placental retention, the uterus at calving is susceptible to microbial invasion. The uterus of the animal continues to contract strongly for 48 hours following delivery of the calf. During this time, the animal usually sheds the placenta and evacuates the majority of uterine fluid (lochia).


Uterine infections :18 Uterine infections Abnormalities of involution cannot be diagnosed by palpation per rectum during the first week after calving. During that time, both normal and abnormal uteri are out of the examiner's reach and he or she cannot safely retract the uterus. By 10 to 15 days after calving, the examiner can palpate the entire uterus if involution is normal. Fluid should not usually be palpable within the lumen of the uterus by 14 to 18 days after calving if involution is normal. Gross reduction in size and histologic repair of the endometrium are complete in dairy cows by 40 to 50 days after calving.


Uterine infections :19 Uterine infections For the first two weeks after calving, animals normally expel lochia, which may range in color from dark red or brown to white. If involution is delayed, discharge of lochia may continue until 30 days postpartum. The producer shouldn't consider the discharge of lochia abnormal unless the fluid is fetid, continues to be discharged for longer than 30 days or the animal develops other clinical signs.


Uterine infections :20 Uterine infections Some cows do develop uterine infections. Many factors influence the severity and prevalence of uterine infections in animals. They include the species and pathogenicity of the causative organism, defenses and dietary management of the affected animal and environmental sanitation. Bacteria contaminate the uterus of all animals during parturition. Most of the organisms are merely transient residents of the reproductive tract and the involuting uterus in normal cows eliminates them.


Uterine infections :21 Uterine infections Uterine infections range from mild to severe depending upon the disease-producing ability of the invading microorganisms. Less severe cases are characterized by delayed uterine involution and impaired fertility. More severe cases (toxic metritis) are life threatening and are characterized by fever, depression, decreased milk production and lack of appetite. Pyometra is characterized by the accumulation of fluid within the uterus and persistence of a corpus luteum. The uterus is brought under the influence of progesterone, which further depresses phagocytic activity. Animals affected with pyometra seldom display any clinical signs other than failure to have estrous cycles.


Uterine infections :22 Uterine infections Fluid from the infected uterus may ascend into the uterine tubes (oviducts), causing severe damage and reducing fertility. Frequently, abnormalities of the uterine tubes are not detected by palpation per rectum. A number of hormones, antibiotics and antiseptics for treatment of uterine infections in animals have been advocated.


Uterine infections :23 Uterine infections Prostaglandin F2 alpha is the treatment of choice for bovine pyometra. Treatment is followed in three to nine days by uterine evacuation in 85 to 90 percent of treated animals. In cases of chronic metritis, treatment with PGF2 alpha decreases the numbers of days open. Treatment of animals with GnRH at two weeks after calving may improve fertility, but treatment with GnRH at this time may decrease fertility by increasing cases of pyometra in herds with a high incidence of uterine infections.


Uterine infections :24 Uterine infections Animals that suffer from abnormalities at calving time, such as milk fever, dystocia and retained placenta, are more likely to suffer from uterine disease than are cows that calve normally. Producers should closely observe these cows for abnormal clinical signs and treat them appropriately.


Uterine infections :25 Uterine infections Routine treatment of all cows with antibiotics has not been shown to be beneficial and in some cases has reduced fertility. Producers can reduce or prevent the number of postpartum uterine infections by strict sanitation in the calving environment and during assistance with delivery. Proper management during the dry period also reduces infections. This approach probably will be more successful than attempts to treat uterine disease with antibacterial drugs.


Management of Post-partum Period :26 Management of Post-partum Period Monitoring postpartum health involves the examination of all animals early post partum (7 to 10 days in milk) by trained farm personnel. Parameters that can be used to evaluate health status of cows include rectal temperature, attitude, milk production, uterine discharge and urine ketones.


Rectal Temperature :27 Rectal Temperature The premise for evaluating rectal temperature post partum is that an elevated temperature indicates an abnormal health status. More specifically, in postpartum dairy animals, it most likely indicates a uterine infection or metritis. Monitoring rectal temperatures will result in a wide range of values from individual cows.


Rectal Temperature :28 Rectal Temperature The normal rectal temperature range for cattle and buffaloes can be from 101.5 to 103 ° F, where a fever is diagnosed when the temperature is > 103.00 F. The variation in rectal temperature is influenced by factors such as health status, age, season of year, and time of day. Although an individual animal’s body temperature will vary, a healthy cow maintains a narrow range.


Rectal Temperature :29 Rectal Temperature Monitoring programs using rectal temperature should be put in place for at least for 7 days after calving. Animals with an abnormal calving (dystocia, retained placenta or twins) should be monitored carefully early post partum. Several studies have shown the successful use of antibiotics in cattle with elevated rectal temperatures related to metritis.


Attitude :30 Attitude Some people are better than others at identifying sick animals based on their general attitude or appearance. It is imperative that animal owners should be taught to look at the eyes, ears, presence of uterine discharge and overall demeanor.


Attitude :31 Attitude Positioning and appearance of the eyes within the socket to access level of dehydration or pain can be observed and scored. A scoring system such as (minimal) An animal with bright eyes that are positioned normal within the eye socket (mild) Animals having dull eyes that are slightly sunken (1-2mm) within the eye socket (moderate) Animals having glazed eyes that are moderately sunken (2-4 mm) or (severe) Animals having dry eyes that are severely sunken (>5mm) within the eye socket can be used.


Attitude :32 Attitude Positioning of the animal’s ears is also a good indicator of a cow’s attitude. Sick cows usually have ears that droop down due to depression, pain, or fever. Healthy animals on the other hand appear bright, alert and are curious about their environment. Upon being approached by someone a healthy animal will often try to make contact with her nose and tongue.


Attitude :33 Attitude Appetite: An animal that is sick will not eat conversely; a healthy cow aggressively goes after her feed.


Milk Production :34 Milk Production Daily milk production should be monitored. Milk production values are related to the health of a cow. A sick animal does not eat and consequently her milk production drops. Dairy animals with a normal postpartum period have a steady progressive day-to-day increase in milk production.


Uterine Discharge :35 Uterine Discharge A common disorder during post partum and commonly identified with a health monitoring program is metritis. Although, there is much debate on the diagnosis of metritis, animal that appear sick have a malodorous discharge from the uterus, regardless of her rectal temperature, are considered to have metritis and require treatment. Evaluation of uterine discharge is important for the correct diagnosis of metritis. Particularly, as mentioned earlier, some animals affected with metritis do not develop fever.


Uterine Discharge :36 Uterine Discharge Discharges that are red-brown contain mucus or pus that are not malodorous should be considered normal. A watery foul smelling discharge more often indicates a severe form of metritis that needs therapy as appose to a mucoid discharge that more often indicates a recovering situation.


Uterine Discharge :37 Uterine Discharge A common method used to evaluate uterine discharge is palpation of the uterus and visual inspection of the vulva for a malodorous brownish color discharge. However, this method of diagnosis is often inconsistent in the ability to produce and evaluate the discharge outside of the cow. Use of vaginoscopy or the insertion of a gloved clean hand into the vagina and extending it to the cervix can be used to evaluate discharge.


Ketones in Milk or Urine :38 Ketones in Milk or Urine Ketone bodies in urine or milk can be used to diagnose ketosis in lactating dairy cattle. Ketosis has been associated with an increased risk to develop metritis, and mastitis. A negative impact on milk production may also occur and it has been reported that animals that produce a positive milk ketone test produce 1.0 to 1.4 kg less milk per day for the lactation. Identification and treatment of cattle suffering from subclinical ketosis in the immediate postpartum period could reduce the negative side effects of ketosis.


Ketones in Milk or Urine :39 Ketones in Milk or Urine Identification of post partum cows suffering from ketosis is accomplished either by analyzing urine or milk ketone levels using cowside tests. These cowside tests are based on the degree of color change occurring when ketone bodies in milk or urine contact a reagent. These tests are available as powders (commonly used in milk) and as urinalysis strips. Measuring urine ketone levels is most commonly performed because the technique to obtain a urine sample is uncomplicated, repeatable, and cost effective.


Putting It All Together :40 Putting It All Together Disorders such as metritis and ketosis can be evaluated by monitoring temperature, attitude, milk production and urine ketone levels early post partum. A postpartum health monitoring program assures; that all cows are examined during the time when they are most susceptible to disease, allowing the opportunity for early identification of cows that are sick. Early treatment of cows with metritis results in pregnancy rates comparable to cows without metritis. This suggests that identification of cows with metritis early and prompt treatment may ameliorate the effects of metritis on reproduction.


Putting It All Together :41 Putting It All Together The following are key points to consider in the application of a post partum health monitoring program. The animal should be evaluated as a whole considering attitude, rectal temperature, milk production and urine evaluation for ketone bodies. Create Standard Operation Practices (SOP’s) for detecting sick cows, physical examination and treatment procedures for individual diseases. Review these practices frequently.


Putting It All Together :42 Putting It All Together It is important that health monitoring takes place for at least the first week post partum. Days 3 to 7 appear to be the most critical. Evaluate attitude, rectal temperature and urine sample for presence of ketone bodies daily for 10 days post partum. Examine animals for metritis and mastitis if they have fever (Temp > 103. F) or appear sick, regardless of temperature.


Putting It All Together :43 Putting It All Together Cows that test positive on a urine ketone sick should be treated for ketosis. Consider an evaluation of uterine discharge on days 3, 5 and 7 to make sure that cows with metritis that do not have fever are not missed. Evaluation of changes in daily milk production for the first 20 days post partum is a valuable tool that can be used effectively to evaluate health.


Putting It All Together :44 Putting It All Together Look for sick animals beyond the postpartum period. It is important to recognize that sick animal monitoring must be performed in all animals in lactation. Farm personnel involved in moving, feeding, milking or breeding animals should be cognizant of the fact that they play a major role in the identification of sick animals. Consequently, they too should be trained in how to look for sick animals. Animal owners should also be well trained in how to identify animals with mastitis. It is an important component in good milking procedures.


Management of Post-partum Period :45 Management of Post-partum Period It has been shown that plasma levels of the prostaglandin F metabolites were high for 7 to 23 days post-partum in animals with a normal parturition and involution. If a uterine discharge with delayed uterine involution developed, elevated prostaglandin secretion was present for a longer period of time. Progesterone levels remained low until prostaglandin release from the uterus had ceased which in normal animals was about 15 days.


Calving care :46 Calving care In older animals prompt treatment of incipient milk fever or retained placentas with calcium products and oxytocin and possibly parenteral antibiotics is imperative. Dry cow therapy and dipping of teats should be practiced when drying the cow off and teats should be dipped for a week or so before calving.


Management of Post-partum Period :47 Management of Post-partum Period If post-partum metritis or endometritis develop, abnormal uterine involution with purulent discharge is commonly associated with genital infections and result in increased number of services per conception. Animals with a clean vaginal mucus at estrus do not require therapy while the presence of a purulent or mucopurulent vaginal discharge should be treated even if the cervix and uterus are involuting normally. Prompt intra-uterine therapy with adequate antibiotics or antiseptics is indicated together with prostaglandins to establish a normal estrous cycle.


Post-partum Animal Examination :48 Post-partum Animal Examination Post-partum examination of the animals at about 21 and / or 35 to 45 is indicated to be certain normal involution and estorus cycling is occurring and that post-partum infections or cystic ovaries have not developed.


Post-partum Animal Examination :49 Post-partum Animal Examination If cystic ovaries have developed prompt treatment of GnRH or hCG is indicated. In older animals or high producing animals it may be desirable to give 100 to 250 ug of GnRH on 12th to 14th day post-partum or when follicles 1.0 cm in diameter are present, to promote ovulation, normal CL formation and estrous cycling and prevent the development of luteal or follicular cysts.


Post-partum Anoestrus :50 Post-partum Anoestrus Apparently there is also a genetic component to the length of post-partum anoestrus. Other factors compounding this prolonged post-partum anoestrus is the level of nutrition and concentrates to the dam before and after calving and the age of the dam. Increased dietary energy intake increases LH secretion and shortens the anovulatory periods.


Management of Post-partum Period :51 Management of Post-partum Period The animals are being detected for oestrus by animal owners or attendants on the farms. Many of the animals go undetected due to poor behavioural signs in the early post-partum period. And many animals do not show behavioural signs or remain true anoestrus beyond 90 days post-partum period. This results into longer inter-calving period and greater economical losses to the animal owners.


Management of Post-partum Period :52 Management of Post-partum Period Careful frequent observation of all post-partum animals during the early and late day time hours and one night time period is necessary to detect, record and breed or inseminate the animals with highly fertile semen at the proper time between middle to end of oestrus.


Management of Post-partum Period :53 Management of Post-partum Period Insemination should be performed by a skilled person. Careful observation of all bred animals, especially 20 to 23 days after service and pregnancy examination at 40 to 45 days are imperative to prevent missed heat periods. All cows not previously diagnosed as definitely pregnant should be examined at each herd visit at frequent intervals by a knowledgeable Veterinarian.


Management of Post-partum Period :54 Management of Post-partum Period For certain animals that are cycling as noted by the presence of a normal mature CL but estrums have not been observed, an injection of luteolytic dose of prostaglandin (Lutasyse 25 to 35 mg or Estrumate 250 to 500 ug) is injected intra-muscular once or twice at 10 to 12 day intervals and should be followed by breeding at the next estrous in 2 to 5 days or at 72 and 90 hours after the injection of prostaglandin.


Management of Post-partum Period :55 Management of Post-partum Period During this early post-partum period circulating LH levels remain low and secretory spikes or episodic releases of LH get suppressed by suckling. Weaning results in an increased number of secretory spikes of LH followed by estrous. The suckling intensity of single or twin calves is correlated closely with the length of post-partum anoestrus. Since suckling releases corticosteroids in nursing animals, these hormones may suppress the release of pituitary LH by GnRH, necessary for follicle maturation and estradiol secretion.


Reproductive Examination in the Post-partum Period :56 Reproductive Examination in the Post-partum Period Gynaecological examination: 7TH week post-partum - Two treatment groups Treatment Group -I : Anoestrus Animals (Animals having Inactive Ovaries) Treatment group – II :Sub-oestrus Animals (Animals having palpable CL on the ovaries)


Technical Report: GAU, Anand. :57 Technical Report: GAU, Anand. Group – I Anoestrus Animals (Treatment : Receptal, 5 ml, I/m)


Slide 58:58


Technical Report : GAU, Anand. :59 Technical Report : GAU, Anand. Group – II Sub-oestrus animals (Treatment : Lutalyse, 5 ml, I/m)


Slide 60:60


Progesterone and Fertility :61 Progesterone and Fertility Progesterone (ng/ml) In pregnant animals – 4.16 + 0.76 In non-pregnant animals – 2.21 + 0.19 Average concentration of progesterone in both groups was non-significant up to 7th week post-partum, thereafter it showed increasing trend in pregnant group of animals.


Slide 62:62


Progesterone (ng/ml) (Mean + SE ) :63 Progesterone (ng/ml) (Mean + SE )


Impacts of the Project1. Economic Impact :64 Impacts of the Project1. Economic Impact Inter-calving Period : Treatment groups Vs Control groups.


Economic Impact :65 Economic Impact An improvement in Conception Rate to the Tune of 50 % was observed as compared to Control Group Conception Rate Groups T C GnRH 78.25 37.50 PGF2 a 83.33 35.00


Economic Impact :66 Economic Impact Av. Maintenance Cost: @ Rs.50/- per day/animal GROSS SAVINGS: Rs.50/- X 48 Days =Rs.2,400/- LESS: Cost of Services & Treatment Rs.400/- NET GAIN: Rs,2,000/-PER LACTATION


Economic Impact :67 Economic Impact Gujarat state has Approx. 22.5 lacs breedable Surti buffaloes (Govt. of Gujarat, 1999-2000) 30 % (6.75 lacs) of these buffaloes – Always Pregnant With 10.00% (0.675 lac) adoption of the technology 0.675 lac buffaloes x advantage @ Rs. 2000/- per animal per lactation Total benefit of the technology Can be estimated at Approx. Rs. 13.50 crores annually


Other Impacts :68 Other Impacts Most common infertility problems like post-partum anoestrus and suboestrus conditions in Cattle and Buffaloes were minimized in experimental animals. b. Calving interval in Buffaloes has been optimized to an ideal period of 13 to 14 months. c. Service period in buffaloes has been shortened. d.  No. of Calves born during the life span of the animal increase. e. Milk production of the animals increase.


Package of Practices for Field Veterinarians :69 Package of Practices for Field Veterinarians 1. Monitoring of Post-partum period through Sexual Health Control Programme.  2. Post-partum animals should be examined through rectal palpation for resumption of Ovarian cyclicity.  3. Cyclic/Sub-oestrus animals should be induced to oestrus through luteolysis.  Contd.,


Package of Practices for Field Veterinarians (Contd.,) :70 Package of Practices for Field Veterinarians (Contd.,) 4. Post-partum anoestrus animals should be induced to oestrus through supplementation of Gonadotropin releasing hormone.  5. The owner should be advised to detect oestrus and timely breeding subsequent to treatment.  6. Pregnancy diagnosis should be carried out by 42– 45 days, so that, non-pregnant animals can be brought to cyclicity and be bred at the earliest.


Package of Practices for Farmers :71 Package of Practices for Farmers 1. The Dairy farmers should be informed about the importance of better management of post-partum period to avail the advantage of the technology with the help of Veterinarians. 2. The farmers should be explained regarding the economic return due to early conception and shortening inter-calving period to the optimum. 3. Educating the farmers for maintenance of Reproductive Records. 4. Educating the farmers for improving heat detection practices and timely breeding. 5. Explaining the farmers regarding early pregnancy diagnosis for detecting non-pregnant animals so that they can be treated and conceived at an early date.


Slide 72:72 Thanks