Philippine E-Journals

Uterine Prolapse in Bulgarian Murrah Buffaloes (Buhalus Huhalis L.) And Its Association With Risk Factors

Noraine P. Medina | Eduardo B. Torres | Elito F. Landicho

Discipline: Animal Science

 

Abstract:

A study was conducted to determine the association of putative risk factors (post-partum serum calcium and phosphorus levels, prepartum-vaginal prolapse, dystocia and retained fetal membrane) with the occurrence of uterine prolapse in Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes of the Philippine Carabao Center, CLSU, Munoz, Nueva Ecija. Buffaloes were observed from one week before calving to one month after calving for the occurrence of uterine prolapse (i.e., total eversion of uterus). Serum was collected six hours after fetal expulsion and immediately after uterine prolapse, for calcium and inorganic phosphorus analysis using automatic serum analyzer. The occurrence of prepartum vaginal prolapse, dystocia and retained fetal membrane were also observed. Univariate analysis on the possible association between the occurrence of uterine prolapsed and risk factors were examined using logistic regression (NCSS and EPI-Info v6). Odds ratios were computed to determine the strength of association of the putative risk factors to uterine prolapse. Post-partum serum calcium, prepartum vaginal prolapse and dystocia were significantly associated with the occurrence of uterine prolapse. The post-parturient serum calcium level of buffaloes that suffered from uterine prolapse was significantly lower (8.91 + 2 mg/dl) compared to non-prolapsing animals (10.68 +2 mg/dl) (P=0.006). Animals having postpartum serum calcium below 10.42 mg/dl were 6.7 times more likely to suffer from prolapse. Dystocia and prepartum vaginal prolapse were significantly associated with uterine prolapse with the odds ratio of 5.25 and 22.09, respectively.