Effect of Lying Behavior on Uterine Blood Flow in Cows During the Third Trimester of Gestation

By Hosoda, K. and Ishida, M. and Matsuyama, H. and Nishida, T., Journal of Dairy Science, 2004
Description
Seven Holstein cows (BW = 639.4 ± 28.8 kg, age = 62.6 ± 6.9 mo, parity = 3.1 ± 0.4 yr) (mean ± SE) were used to measure uterine blood flow using a transit time ultrasonic flow meter. Ultrasonic flow probes were implanted (d 218 ± 4 of gestation) around both uterine arteries (n = 3) or the gravid uterine artery (n = 4) to measure variations in uterine blood flow through this vessel in response to postural change (standing and lying). Implantation of the ultrasonic blood flow probe was successful in all 7 cows. Uterine blood flow was measured for 22.9, 23.1, and 21.4 h/d on d 226, 248, and 269 of gestation, respectively. Cows exhibited normal durations of gestation (272.8 ± 1.6 d), gave birth to normal healthy calves (birth weight = 41.5 ± 3.0 kg), and did not retain their placenta. Uterine blood flow to the gravid horn during lying was greater than during standing on d 226 (standing vs. lying, 8.04 vs. 8.79 L/min, respectively), d 248 (9.87 vs. 11.06 L/min), and d 269 (8.15 vs. 9.74 L/min) of gestation. Cows spent nearly 50% of their time lying during our observations at all gestational ages. Greater blood supply to the gravid uterus was observed during lying than during standing in this study.
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