Difference between revisions of "Puerperium - Sheep and Goat"
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[[Category:Pregnancy and Parturition]] | [[Category:Pregnancy and Parturition]] | ||
[[Category:Goat - Reproductive System]][[Category:Sheep - Reproductive System]] | [[Category:Goat - Reproductive System]][[Category:Sheep - Reproductive System]] | ||
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Revision as of 19:34, 20 January 2011
Also see 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
- Occurs in the connective tissue in the base of and adjacent to the endometrial crypts. It also involves the walls of arteries and veins.
- 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!