THE ROLE OF CERTAIN BACTERIA AND YEASTS IN POSTPARTUM PERIOD IN CATTLE

Abstract

Before parturition uterine lumen is sterile and if bacterial invasion occurs, there is usually resorption of the fetus or abortion and if bacterial invasion occurs after parturition a disease condition resulted (Semambo et aL, 1991). The postpartum bacteria invade the birth canal and uterine cavity of dairy cattle ascending from the environment as well as from animal's skin and feces (Messier et aL,1984). Physical barriers of the cervix, vagina and vulva are compromised at parturition providing the opportunity for bacteria to ascend the genital tract from the environment as well as animal's skin and feces (Regassa and Noakes, 1999). The most significant risk factors for bacterial contamination of uterine lumen of cows after parturition include RFM assisted calving ( Dystocia), still birth and vulval angle (Potter et aL, 2010). Clinical and reproductive disorders are attributed to the presence of certain non­ specific pathogens mainly E.coli and A. pyogens (Hussain and Daniel, 1991a). Uterine bacterial infection after parturition causes endometritis perturbs ovarian function and leads to infertility in dairy cattle (Miller et al., 2007). Postpartum metritis and purulent endometritis associated with significant decrease in pregnancy rate (Guatam et aL, 2010). Uterine microbial disease affects half of all dairy cattle after parturition causing infertility by disrubting uterine and ovarian function (Sheldon et aL, 2009). Animals with subclincal endometritis have more days open, take longer to conceive and conceiption rates about half those of normal animals (Kasimainckam et aL, 2004). The financial effect of uterine disease is derived from infertility, increased culling rate for failure to conceive, reduced milk production and the cost of treatment (Drillich et aL, 2001). Presence of bacteria in uterus of postpartum cows (bacterial complication) does not always result in inflammatory disease. Despite, the intrauterine bacterial infection which follows certain cases of contamination with pathogenic organisms that colonize, release bacterial products ( toxins, enzymes, etc.) that may lead to establishment of uterine disease (Sheldon et aL, 2006). Puerperal metritis, whither primary or following a retained placenta is considered to be a common disease, which has an adverse influence on the productive and reproductive performances of dairy cows. Based on the clinical symptoms and the time after parturition in cows, which occurs within first two weeks after parturition. The clinical forms of puerperal metritis are more frequent in dairy with subsequent intrauterine therapy (Jaroslav et aL, 2003). The predominant bacteria in all retained fetal membranes cows and had bacterial endometritis were Escherichia coli, alpha-haemolytic streptococci, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Arcanobacterium (Actinomyces) pyogenes, Bacteroides spp., Pasteurella