Las infecciones uterinas. clasificación, causas y repercusión sobre la actividad reproductiva en la hembra bovina (bos taurus)

Abstract

Uterine infections are usually manifest after delivery; commonly the bovine females eliminate the contaminating bacterial population during the first five postpartum weeks while from 10 to 17% of them the infection remains. Metritis is the inflammation of the entire uterus that normally occurs after delivery. Endometritis is the inflammation of endometrium as a result of the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and the delay of uterine involution. Pyometra is an infection identified by the accumulation of mucupurulent or purulent exudate in the uterus, usually, as a result of complicated endometritis. Fetal mummification occurs from the death of the fetus, usually between 4 - 6 months, when is not aborted. The placental retention in general is due to a failure in the mechanical expulsion of it due to inconsistency in uterine contractions after delivery; the placenta, which must be expelled between 12 - 24 hours postpartum, when its non-expulsed promotes uterine infection by bacterial colonization. The uterine prolapse or externalization of the uterus through the vulva occurs during or several hours after delivery. A set of infectious systemic diseases represents another important cause that affects reproduction because they producing abortions, mummifications and fetal malformations, infertility and the birth of weak young which usually die early. Uterine pathologies have a negative impact on reproduction-production, generating significant economic losses for animal’s ranchers.