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Created page with "Also see General Puerperium The puerperium is similar to the cow (ruminants in general have a similar puerperium. The main difference is t..."
Also see [[Puerperium - Anatomy & Physiology|General Puerperium]]

The puerperium is similar to the cow (ruminants in general have a similar puerperium. The main difference is that, since they are both seasonal breeders, parturition is followed by a period of anoestrus.

=== Involution ===

* Rapid shrinkage and contraction of the uterus.
** Particularly during 3-10 days postpartum.
* Involution complete by 20-25 days.
* In the ewe, involution is also due to collagen breakdown.

=== Restoration of the Endometrium ===

* Hyaline degeneration occurs during the prepartum.
** Occurs in the connective tissue in the base of and adjacent to the endometrial crypts. It also involves the walls of arteries and veins.
*** Lumen of arteries and veins becomes reduced
*** Foetal villi unaffected
* After dehiscence and separation of the placenta there is further hyaline degeneration of caruncular tissue.
** Results in constriction of the blood vessels at the base of the maternal crypts.
* Necrosis of the surface layer of the caruncle.
* 4 days postpartum, most superficial layers undergo autolysis and liquifaction.
** Causes dark red/brown or black colouration of lochial discharge.
** Quantity of lochia is variable.
*** Initially arises from blood, foetal fluids and placental debris.
*** As the puerperium proceeds, sloughed caruncular tissue contributes to it.
* By 16 days postpartum, necrosis of the whole caruncle has occured.
** Separation of the brown necrotic plaque, so it lies free in the uterine lumen.
** Caruncles have clean, glistening surface.
* Re-epithelialisation of caruncles is complete by 28 days postpartum.

=== Return to Ovarian Cyclicity ===
* Ewes normally become anoestrus after lambing in temperate climates.
* Sometimes ovarian activity can occur within a few days - 2 weeks postpartum.
* Follicular growth is common, ovulation is unusual
* If ovulation occurs it is usually with a silent oestrus.
* Failure of follicular maturation and ovulation is due to a lack of LH as a result of deficient GnRH synthesis and secretion.
** Basal LH levels and the frequency of LH secretion is inadequate to stimulate normal ovarian function.

=== Bacterial Elimination ===

* Does not commonly occur as it does in the cow and mare.
* Swabs taken in the postpartum period usually reveal a sterile uterine environment!


[[Category:Pregnancy and Parturition]]
[[Category:Goat]][[Category:Sheep]]
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