Abstract

GONZALEZ SANCHEZ, J.P.; BIANCHINI SOBRINHO, E.  and  GONCALVES, A.A.M.. Uterine involution in dairy Gir cows, according to postpartum period and parity. Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec. [online]. 1999, vol.51, n.4, pp.345-351. ISSN 1678-4162.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09351999000400010.

Uterine involution of 111 calvings of 104 dairy Gir cows, checked by rectal palpation, was studied. Uterine involution averaged 29.7± 9.6 days, and cervical involution delayed more than 43 days. In both cases, time of involution increased with parity. In the first postpartum week uterus remained in abdominal cavity (95.0%) and in the second week uterus initiated its return to the pelvic cavity (8.2%). In the third week 20.6% had completed uterine involution. The total involution was identified in 82.9% of the cows, in the sixth week. Some cases of involuting uterus still remained in abdominal (n=6) or abdominal/pelvic (n=8) cavity, after the fifth postpartum week, observed only in multiparous cows. In 19 cows was detected retrocession of natural sequence of uterine involution phases. Uterus retrocession to abdominal cavity was observed only in cows with sanitary problems. In seven cows with metritis, uterine time of involution was longer and enlargement of cervix was also observed.

Keywords : Cattle; puerperium; uterine involution; cervix; parity.