Retained Placenta

Retained fetal membranes is defined as placentas not detached after 12 hours postpartum. Normally, in cow the placenta is expelled within a 12-hour period after calving. If any part of the fetal membranes is held for longer periods, it is considered to be pathological or abnormal. Retention of fetal membranes is observed more frequently in cattle, especially in dairy cattle, than in other animals.

Retained placenta is costly to a dairy operation because it results in economic loss. Milk from cows treated with antibiotics must be discarded. In addition, a temporary reduction in appetite resulting in decreased milk production occurs in 55% to 65% of affected cows.

There are several risk factors for retained fetal membranes: Short or long gestation, milk fever, abortion, stillbirth, dystocia, twinning, induction of parturition, non hygienic calving conditions, fat cows, deficiencies on selenium, vitamin E, and/or vitamin A.

Patho-physiological causes are: immature placentomes, cotyledonitis, oedema of the chorionic villi, placentitis, uterine atony. Infectious causes are: in herds infected with brucellosis, Ieptospirosis, vibriosis, Iisteriosis, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and/or other infectious organisms, retention of fetal membranes may occur in 50% or more of the cows.

The natural recovery rate is high in uncomplicated cases The natural recovery rate is high in uncomplicated cases. As a result of necrosis taking place in the caruncles, most retained placentas are expelled by 5-11 days p.p.

Mechanism of expulsion and retention of placenta: The placentome is the attachment between the dam (caruncle) and the fetal membranes. (cotyledon). There are approximately 100 placentomes in a cow’s uterus during pregnancy. When parturition begins and contractions of the uterus are initiated, the blood flow decreases to the maternal and fetal portions of the placentome.

By shrinking of the small blood vessels, the capillary pressure is reduced and separation of fetal membranes occurs. The postcalving uterine contractions complete the detachment and expulsion of the membranes. Any process which causes continual pressure on the caruncle and cotyledon (trauma, edema or infection) usually results in retention of membranes.

Failure of the uterus to contract, such as in cows with milk fever, can lead to retained placenta even though the fetal membranes may be detached. Rapid closure of the nonpregnant uterine horn or cervix may prevent release the membranes.

Treatment: The basic goal in any treatment of retained placentas is to return the cow’s reproductive tract to a normal state as quickly as possible. Partial retention may go unnoticed until complications such as metritis or pyometra develop. The affected cows may have increased temperature; off feed; depressed; have lowered milk production and have a foul smelling vaginal discharge.

These animals should be examined and treated both systemically with antibiotics (and possibly with intravenous electrolytes and dextrose fluids) and locally with intrauterine medication. There are generally two methods of managing retained placenta when no systemic involvements are present—manual removal and natural separation.

Manual removal can be used for treatment, but most research indicates that manual removal results in impaired rather than improved fertility. This is because manual removal induces trauma, hemorrhage, hematomas, and vascular thrombi within the uterus. Furthermore, even when removal of the placenta appears complete, portions of fetal cotyledons remain attached to the maternal caruncles.

If the membranes are not released due to poor uterine contractions, the membranes may detach without damage by applying slight tension externally to the fetal membranes. Hormones such as prostaglandins, estrogens and oxytocin may be used to evacuate fluid and debris from the uterus.

If evacuation is not successful with hormonal therapy, uterine palpation and manual treatment may be recommended, followed by treatment with an antibiotic. Non treated cows with placental retention have longer open intervals, fewer first service conceptions and more breedings per conception than cows with retained placentas that were treated with antibiotic solutions.

Prevention: Prevention of retained placenta is the key. There are several specific preventive measures to follow: In selenium deficient or borderline areas, the administration of a dietary level of selenium (0.1 ppm) tended to minimize the incidence of retained placentas.

Vitamin A and D deficient cows have high retention rates Vitamin A and D deficient cows have high retention rates. Intramuscular injections of Vitamins A & D may be given 4 to 8 weeks prior to calving if a deficiency is suspected. The Calcium:Phosphorus ratio for the dry cow is extremely important in the prevention of milk fever, and retained placenta.

Injections of oxytocin, a hormone that stimulates the uterus to contract, may aid in expulsion of the placenta. Cutting off the exposed remnant of membranes and infusing the uterus with antibiotics can aid in controlling the uterine infection (metritis) that accompanies retained placenta. Culling animals with a history of retained placenta may be necessary because severe uterine infections can lead to reduced fertility.

إناث الجاموس العراقي التي تعاني من احتباس المشيمة بعد ولادة طبيعية

إناث الجاموس العراقي التي تعاني من احتباس المشيمة بعد ولادة طبيعية

إناث الجاموس العراقي التي تعاني من احتباس المشيمة بعد ولادة طبيعية

إناث الجاموس العراقي التي تعاني من احتباس المشيمة بعد ولادة طبيعية

إناث الجاموس العراقي التي تعاني من احتباس المشيمة بعد الإجهاض في الأشهر الأخيرة من الحمل

إناث الجاموس العراقي التي تعاني من احتباس المشيمة بعد الإجهاض في الأشهر الأخيرة من الحمل