Bacteriological investigation of the postpartum uterus: Relationship to involution and histopathological findings.

A bacteriological investigation of the postpartum uteri of suckled and nonsuckled Bunaji (White Fulani) cows was undertaken to determine the microflora, the effect of suckling on the flora and the influence of the flora on uterine involution and histopathology. Uterine contamination by bacteria was highest between days 10 and 21 postpartum with Staphylococcus aureus being the commonest organism isolated. There was no consistent isolation of one type of bacterial organism from a cow throughout the sampling period. Suckling did not affect the incidence of uterine contamination by bacteria. Foci of leucocytes (mainly lymphocytes) were found in uterine sections in an increasing frequency with days postpartum. Bacteria were isolated from only 3 of the 12 uteri that had the leucocytic foci. Uterine involution was normal and complete by 25 days after calving irrespective of the presence or absence of bacteria or leucocytic foci. We concluded that postpartum uterine contamination by bacteria was not influenced by suckling and that puerperal uterine contamination by bacteria did not interfere with the normal process and duration of uterine involution.