Factors Affecting Uterine Involution in Animals
Here, we learn about the factors affecting uterine involution in different animals.
Uterine involution in animals is influenced by several factors, including species, parity, hormonal balance, and postpartum management.
Cow
- Age: Rapid in primipara
- Season: Summer and spring months-very rapid involution winter and autumn months delayed involution
- Climate: heat stress inhibits the uterine involution
- Periparturient abnormalities will delay the uterine involution
- Postpartum complications will delay the uterine involution
- Delayed return to ovarian activity
- Suckling delays the ovarian activity but enhances the uterine contraction and involution
- Exercise: mild exercise will hasten the uterine involution
Mare
Involution is very rapid because of diffuse type of placentation. In case of pony mares uterine contour is palpable within 12 hours, but in thoroughbred mares, it is longer.
The uterine involution is completed by 32 days of postpartum and cervix remains dilated until first postpartum oestrus.
Endometrial restoration is completed by 32 days. Ovarian resumption is very quick in mare, i.e., foal–heat appears 5–12 days postpartum and conception may occur during this foal heat, but it is not advisable to breed (may go for abortion) during foal heat.
The ovarian activity starts 25-35 days postpartum and it is preferable to breed the mare at this time. The most common organism found in the uterus is β–haemolytic streptococci or coliforms and are usually eliminated during foal heat and in the subsequent heat.
Sheep & Goat
Similar to that of cattle.
Sow
Uterine involution is very rapid because of diffuse type of placentation. Uterine involution is completed by 28-32 days.
Some sows may show oestrus within 3 days postpartum and breeding should not be done.
Bitch (Female Dog)
Uterine involution is completed by 4-5 week. After 3 months, we can observe ring shaped strips in the uterine horns which indicates the area of placental attachment.
The postpartum lochia is green in color due to the pigment “Uteroverdin” which is a breakdown product of haemoglobin.
Cat (Queen)
1st week, the lochia is amber to red in color. Within a week it becomes mucoid (2nd week). Placental border is brown in color.
The walls of the gravid horn remain slightly thickened. In primipara and other young animals the uterus never returns to its pregravid size.
