Study of non-specific infection of the uterus of cows

This article is devoted to bacteriological studies to detect pathogens of nonspecific infections isolated from the uterus of cows belonging to LLC “SP “Donskoye” in 2023. The bacteriological properties of the isolated pathogens of nonspecific infections and the incidence of nonspecific uterine infections in cattle were studied.

Summary. The article shows the study of non-specific infections of cows' uterus in LLC "SP "Donskoe" in 2023. Aim is to study the effect of nonspecific uterine infections on the incidence and post-fertility of cows. Four weeks after calving, the number of non-pathogenic (opportunistic) isolates decreased 1.49-fold. The study of nonspecific uterine infections in cows may provide information that can be correlated with animal performance.

Introduction. Diagnosis of metritis in most cases is carried out using various methods, including vaginoscopy, manual examination, cytology and ultrasound. Various diagnostic modalities, including transrectal palpation of the uterus, vaginoscopy, uterine biopsy, and uterine cytology, as well as varying sampling times in the postpartum period, contribute to differences in case definition and treatment options. The purpose of the study is to study the effect of nonspecific uterine infections on the incidence and subsequent fertility of cows.

Object. A total of 756 samples from 96 cows were studied on the day of calving and four weeks after calving.

Material and methods. Before each sampling, rectal temperature was measured and a brief general clinical examination was performed. Cows with a rectal temperature above 39.5°C, foul-smelling reddish-brown watery vaginal discharge and signs of systemic damage were assessed as having metritis. Before sampling the uterus, the vulva of each cow was washed with disposable paper towels and disinfected with 70% ethanol. To prevent contamination during sampling, the sampler was protected with a disposable plastic catheter and a plastic sleeve. In the uterine cavity, the plastic sleeve was retracted, and the cytobrush advanced and rolled along the wall of the uterus. The brush was then inserted into the catheter, and the instrument was removed from the genitals. Immediately after sampling, the cytobrush head was cut off and transferred into sterile phosphate buffer in a tube in a room outside the animal facility. Microbiological samples were taken in the following sequence: from the vagina, cervix and uterus of each cow. Within an hour, the material from the cell brushes was placed in Petri dishes with Columbia agar and MacConkey agar medium, and then incubated at 37 °C for 48 hours.

Results and conclusions. There is a decrease in the score in the study four weeks after calving from 3, 2, and 1 point to 0 points. Four weeks after calving, the number of non-pathogenic (opportunistic) isolates decreased by 1.49 times from 196 (68.06%) to 132 (45.83%). At the same time, the number of isolated pathogenic isolates decreased significantly, from 82 (28.47%) to 18 (6.25%) by 4.56 times. ANOVA data: P-value 0.33, F critical 5.19, Omega squared 0.16. Tests for homogeneity of variances: Hartley Fmax 4.00, P-value 0.98, Cochran C 0.50, P-value 0.58. Other microorganisms took the leading place among the isolated isolates 658 (28.96%). They are followed by enterobacteria 354 isolates (15.58), non-hemolytic streptococci 325 isolates (14.30), coagulase-positive staphylococci – 247 isolates (10.87%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci – 244 isolates (10.74%), bacilli 215 cases (9. 46%), Proteus was identified in 115 cases (5.06%) and diphtheroides in 114 (5.02%).

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