Intrauterine pressure changes in the post partum Caesarean section cow

Abstract

The primary goal of this report was to select and determine a suitable on farm method for future measurements and recordings of intrauterine pressure in Caesarean section Holstein- Friesian cows postpartum, something that had never been attempted before. To aid in the collection of this data a polyethylene open tip catheter connected to a disposable pressure transducer was used. In this study, 5 Holstein-Friesian cows were selected and used for experimental data collection after caesarean section. 40ml dexamethasone and 25mg PGF2α in the previous afternoon of an elective CS performed the following morning was administered to each cow. A non invasive approach was used by introducing an intrauterine pressure device i.e. an open tip catheter was positioned and attached to the stalk of a caruncle in a previous pregnant horn via transcervical insertion and afterwards this catheter was connected to a transducer. IUP measurements were recorded and evaluated at 13, 14, 15, 16 and 24 after the Caesarean section was performed. The intrauterine fixation method was suitable for the recording of uterine contractility changes in each cow under investigation in this study. The apparatus was easily removed 48 hours after insertion even after the cervix had reduced in diameter and the operator could not move his hand past the cervical barrier. The IUP device is an excellent method of data collection for on farm studies and for the successful recordings of uterine contractility changes.