Retained Fetal Membranes in Cows (Retained placenta)
Description
Retention of fetal membranes, or retained placenta, usually is defined as failure to expel fetal membranes within 24 hr after parturition. Normally, expulsion occurs within 3-8 hr after calf delivery. The incidence in healthy dairy cows is 5-15%, while the incidence in beef cows is lower. The incidence during lactation is increased by abortion, dystocia, hypocalcemia, twin birth, high environmental temperature, advancing age of the cow, premature birth or induction of parturition, placentitis, and nutritional disturbances.
Additional information
There are multiple causes for placental retention, the most common being early parturition due to abortion, induction or twinning. Retention has been associated with decreased fertility and longer calving intervals in dairy cattle and with an increased incidence of mastitis.
Linked information / topic details
Signs
Anamnesis
The incidence in healthy dairy cows is 5-15%, while the incidence in beef cows is lower. The incidence during lactation is increased by abortion, dystocia, hypocalcemia, twin birth, high environmental temperature, advancing age of the cow, premature birth or induction of parturition, placentitis, and nutritional disturbances.
When systemic signs are observed, they are related to toxemia. Uncomplicated retention of fetal membranes is unsightly and inconvenient for animal handlers and milkers but generally not directly harmful to the cow. However, cows with retained fetal membranes are at increased risk of developing metritis, ketosis, mastitis, and even abortion in a subsequent pregnancy. Cows that have once had retained fetal membranes are at increased risk of recurrence at a subsequent parturition.
The instrument during manual removal of retained placenta in cow
Causes
The incidence in healthy dairy cows is 5
- 15%, while the incidence in beef cows is lower. The incidence during lactation is increased by abortion, dystocia, hypocalcemia, twin birth, high environmental temperature, advancing age of the cow, premature birth or induction of parturition, placentitis, and nutritional disturbances. The precise pathogenesis of retained fetal membranes is poorly understood, but normal maturation and loosening of the placenta begin during late pregnancy and are marked by alterations in the collagen of the placentome. During parturition, changes in uterine pressure, reduction in blood flow, and physical flattening of the placentome during uterine contractions contribute to final loosening and expulsion of the fetal membranes.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually straightforward as degenerating, discolored, ultimately fetid membranes are seen hanging from the vulva >24 hr after parturition. Occasionally, the retained membranes may remain within the uterus and not be readily apparent, in which case their presence may be signalled by a foul-smelling discharge. In most cases, there are no signs of systemic illness. When systemic signs are observed, they are related to toxemia. Uncomplicated retention of fetal membranes is unsightly and inconvenient for animal handlers and milkers but generally not directly harmful to the cow. However, cows with retained fetal membranes are at increased risk of developing metritis, ketosis, mastitis, and even abortion in a subsequent pregnancy. Cows that have once had retained fetal membranes are at increased risk of recurrence at a subsequent parturition.
Blood / Urine tests
Other lab tests
Imaging
Diagnostic tests
Follow up:
References:
Drillich M et al. Comparison of Two Management Strategies for Retained Fetal Membranes on Small Dairy Farms in Germany. J Dairy Sci 2007;90:4275-4281 [Web Reference]
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Bicalho RC et al. Effect of Stillbirths on Dam Survival and Reproduction Performance in Holstein Dairy Cows. J Dairy Sci 2007;90:2797-2803 [Web Reference]
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Bourne N et al. A meta-analysis of the effects of Vitamin E supplementation on the incidence of retained foetal membranes in dairy cows. Theriogenology 2007;67:494-501 [Web Reference]
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Roche JF. The effect of nutritional management of the dairy cow on reproductive efficiency. Animal Reproduction Science 2006;96:282-296 [Web Reference]
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Wilde D. Influence of macro and micro minerals in the peri-parturient period on fertility in dairy cattle. Animal Reproduction Science 2006;96:240-249 [Web Reference]
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Goshena T, Shpigel NY. Evaluation of intrauterine antibiotic treatment of clinical metritis and retained fetal membranes in dairy cows. Theriogenology 2006;66:2210-2218 [Web Reference]
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Drillich M et al. Ceftiofur Derivatives in Serum, Uterine Tissues, Cotyledons, and Lochia after Fetal Membrane Retention. J Dairy Sci 2006;89:3431-3438 [Web Reference]
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Melendez P et al. The effect of a monensin controlled-release capsule on the incidence of retained fetal membranes, milk yield and reproductive responses in Holstein cows. Theriogenology 2006;66:234-241 [Web Reference]
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Drillich M et al. Comparison of Two Strategies for Systemic Antibiotic Treatment of Dairy Cows with Retained Fetal Membranes: Preventive vs. Selective Treatment. J Dairy Sci 2006;89:1502-1508 [Web Reference]
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Drillich M et al. Strategies to Improve the Therapy of Retained Fetal Membranes in Dairy Cows. J Dairy Sci 2006;89:627-635 [Web Reference]
Clinical signs typically appearing in this disorder: - Anorexia, loss or decreased appetite, not nursing, off feed
- Fever, pyrexia, hyperthermia
- Dullness, depression, lethargy, depressed, lethargic, listless
- Agalactia, decreased, absent milk production
- Crepitus, uterus, vagina, cervix
- Enlarged uterus
- Female infertility, repeat breeder
- Fluid in uterus
- Foul smelling discharge, vulvar, vaginal
- Purulent discharge, vulvar, vaginal
- Purulent or mucoid discharge, cervix or uterus
- Retained placenta, fetal membranes
Treatment
Manual removal of the retained membranes is no longer recommended and is potentially harmful. Trimming of excess tissue that is objectionable to animal handlers and contributes to gross contamination of the genital tract is permissible. Untreated cows expel the membranes in 2-11 days. Routine use of intrauterine antimicrobials has not been found to be beneficial and may be detrimental. Although advocated at various times, oxytocin, estradiol, prostaglandin F2a , and oral calcium preparations have not been shown to hasten expulsion of retained membranes. When systemic signs of illness are present, systemic treatment with antimicrobials and NSAID is indicated. In herds in which incidence of retained fetal membranes is unacceptably high, predisposing causes should be sought and eliminated.