Postpartum uterine flora following normal and abnormal puerperium in cows.

Uterine swabs were taken from the uteri of three groups of cows (n = 5 each) on Days 1 and 2 and then at 3-d intervals up to 32 d post partum. Group I cows had a normal delivery, Group II cows had dexamethasone-induced parturition, and Group III cows were subjected to a Caesarean section. All cows in Group III and two cows in Group II retained their fetal membranes. A total of 230 bacterial isolates were made, and the most frequently isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli, streptococci, Proteus spp., and clostridia. The highest number of bacterial isolates and the longest mean time to complete uterine involution were in the Group III cows.