Effects of prepartum oilseed supplements on subclinical endometritis, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine transcripts in endometrial cells and postpartum ovarian function in dairy cows.

Postpartum uterine infections affect ovarian function and delay ovulation in cattle. As dietary fats can affect immune cell function, we investigated the influence of prepartum diets on postpartum uterine inflammatory status (UIS) as assessed 25±1 days postpartum by endometrial cytology (normal: ≤8% polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) vs subclinical endometritis (SCE): >8% PMN) and associations between SCE, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expression and ovarian function. During the last 5 weeks of gestation, dairy cows received a diet supplemented with 8% rolled sunflower (n=10) or canola seed (n=9) or no oilseed (n=9). Ovaries were scanned until 35 days postpartum. Prepartum diets did not influence SCE, but a preovulatory-size follicle developed sooner (P≤0.05), the interval to first ovulation was shorter and the proportion of cows ovulating within 35 days postpartum was greater in the sunflower seed group. Although mRNA expression of cytokines was not affected by diet, cows with SCE had higher (P≤0.05) expression of interleukin-1ß (IL1B), interleukin-8 (CXCL8), IL10 and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF) than normal cows. The interval (mean ± s.e.m.) from calving to preovulatory-size follicle was shorter (P≤0.05) in normal (13.2±0.9 days) than SCE cows (18.7±1.4 days). In summary, a prepartum diet supplemented with sunflower seed positively influenced postpartum ovarian function without affecting UIS or pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in endometrial cells.

[Management of post-abortum infections]. / Prise en charge des infections du post-abortum.

In countries where induced abortions are legal and medically supervised, the frequency of post-abortion infections is low and maternal death is infrequent. Nevertheless, short and long term consequences of post-abortion infections must be addressed. Sexually transmitted pathogens are frequently in cause here. Risk factors include in particular young age (less than 24 years), low socioeconomic level, late pregnancy, nulliparity, and history of previous untreated pelvic inflammatory disease. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and an inflammatory syndrome occurring within 2 to 3 weeks after spontaneous or induced abortion. A pelvic ultrasound is recommended in order to ensure the uterus vacuity and to look for a possible pelvic abscess, and bacteriological samples must be performed. Management consists in a regimen combining two antibiotics intravenously, with the possible addition of intravenous heparin in case of pelvic thrombophlebitis. Antibiotics can be discontinued 48 h of a clinical improvement and further treatment by oral route brings no benefit. Intrauterine retention associated with post-abortion endometritis must be addressed either by medical or surgical method.