Observations on the development of fetal attachment retention in intensively breeding cows

Abstract

The evolution of the puerperium is conditioned by the course of parturition - eutopic or dystocic, but also by possible placental retention or uterine atony and not rarely by infection with bacterial germs. After parturition, energy consumption increases with uterine involution, the volume of milk production and the needs determined by local and general self-defence. The puerperal period is one of the most important stages in the reproductive cycle of cows. Early and correct diagnosis of conditions during this period can lead to appropriate and more effective treatment regimens. Research in the literature indicates that special attention should be paid to high milk-producing females, especially in the intensive breeding system, as it is known that some diseases can easily develop in the genital tract during the puerperal period. An important aspect of reproduction in cows is sterility or inability to reproduce due to incurable lesions of the genital tract following dystocic parturitions. The aim of this paper is to complete the existing research and studies in the literature with some major aspects of reproductive pathology in cows, namely to highlight some of the factors that can generate the anaesthesia syndrome. In the first year of observation (2021), the incidence of fetal adnexal retention was 12.4% of the 242 cows monitored, and in 2022 out of a total of 270 cows, 9.6% of females were diagnosed with this condition. Analyzing the incidence of fetal appendix retention by calendar month, it was found that in 2021 no cases were reported in August, one case (0.4%) was recorded in June and July, and the highest level was recorded in February, 2.5%. In 2022, similar incidence of fetal appendage retention was recorded including the highest level of 1.8% being reported also in February. The incidence of fetal attachment retention in cows correlates with the level of milk production per lactation increasing progressively with the volume of milk production. Thus, in the year 2021 in cows with milk production ranging between 5000-5500 liters of milk/lactation the lowest level was obtained, i.e. 0.8% of fetal attachment retention.in the herd of 26 monitored females. Of the 45 cows with milk production between 7001-7500 l milk/lactation 3.3% of the females showed fetal attachment retention.