Treatment of endometritis for improving fertility in dairy cows

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess the incidence of endometritis in cows and to find out the effect of intramuscular and intrauterine administration of different antimicrobial agents in improving the conception rate in cows during the period from April 1991, to July 1992. The study was conducted in the animals brought to the Artificial Insemination Centre attached to the Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur. In vitro sensitivity test was done on 127 samples of uterine discharge collected aseptically by the use of a newly designed Catheter. Sensitivity tests showed that 78 isolates (61.41 per cent) were sensitive to Gentamicin, 75 (59.05 per cent) to Chloramphenicol, 59 (46.45 per cent) to Furazolidone and 30 (23.62 per cent) to Co – trimoxazole. Intermediate sensitivity to Co – trimoxazole was seen in 12 (9.45 per cent) isolates.

Identification of bacterial organisms were also done in the study. Isolates obtained were Coagulase negative Staphylococc spp. (40 per cent), Staphylococcus aureus (30.00 per cent) corynebacterium spp. (16.66 per cent) Bacillus spp. (6.67 per cent) and Pseudomonas spp. (6.67 per cent). Animals were grouped into 3 treatment groups based on result of sensitivity tests. Animals in 1 A and 11 A received intramuscular and intrauterine administration of Gentamicin respectively. Dose rate was 4 mg/kg body weight for intramuscular and 400 mg for intrauterine administration at 12 hour interval for three days and two days respectively. Animals in 1 B received Chloramphenicol at the rate of 4 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly at 12 hour interval for three days and animals in 11 B got intrauterine administration of 1 g chloramphenicol at 12 hour interval for two days. Group 111 A consisted of animals in which discharge showed sensitivity to Co – trimoxazole and received Co – trimoxazole (Sulphamethoxazole 3000 mg + Trimethoprim 600mg) as intrauterine infusion at 12 hour interval for two days. Group 111 B animals were given Furazolidone 30 ml as intrauterine infusion at 12 hour interval for two days. After treatment animals with clear discharge in the subsequent heat were considered as recovered and were inseminated. The recovery obtained was 80.00, 95.00, 95.83, 85.00, 72.73 and 95.24 percentages respectively in Group 1A, 11A, 1B, 11B, 111A and 111B. Conception rate was calculated on the basis of actual follow up. The percentages of conception were 66.60, 75.00, 72.73, 75.00, 100.00 and 64.71 per cent in Group 1A, 11A, 1B, 11B, 111A and 111B respectively. Out of 127 animals treated, 98 animals were followed up and 73 animals were found pregnant. Sixty three animals were found pregnant at first insemination, eight after second insemination and two after third insemination. The average conception rate was 74.49 per cent. Data were subjected to statistical analysis and there was no significant difference among treatment groups in conception rates except for animals which received Co – trimoxazole as intrauterine infusion. These animals showed a significantly higher rate of conception. The data on comparative effect of intramuscular and intrauterine routes of administration on analysis showed that both routes are equally effective in counteracting endometritis.