Intrauterine proteolytic enzymes therapy hastens expulsion of fetal membranes in dystocia affected buffaloes

Difficult calving (dystocia) in buffalo cows is a major obstetrical problem which further leads to metritis complex, encompassing the retention of fetal membranes (RFM), puerperal metritis, endometritis and pyometra with impaired future fertility.

The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of the administration of intrauterine proteolytic enzymes on the expulsion of fetal membranes and postpartum fertility in dystociac buffaloes.

Proteolytic enzymes consisting of Trypsin (16 mg), Chymotrypsin (16 mg), and Papain (8 mg) were dissolved in 500 ml normal saline were administered  after 1 h of assisted delivery in dystociac buffaloes along with the conventional therapy.

The treated animals (n=15) expelled fetal membranes within a shorter period of time (P=0.043) compared to the control group (n=15) with none in the treatment group retaining it for more than 24 hours. Fewer (26.67 vs 73.33%; P=0.027) postpartum uterine infections developed in the treated animals compared to the control group. The interval between first postpartum estrus (P=0.067), service period (P=0.554), and open days (P=0.557) was shorter in the treatment group compared to the control group where postpartum anestrus developed less frequently (26.67 vs 66.67%; P=0.066) in the animals treated with enzymatic therapy. Systemic illness (neutrophillia) was reduced in the treatment group compared to the control on day 20 (64.55 ± 1.14% vs 70.23 ± 0.99%; P=0.001) and 45 (55.05 ± 1.63% vs 64.92 ± 1.45%; P<0.001) postpartum.

It is concluded that proteolytic enzymes therapy after assisted delivery in dystociac buffalo cows could help in the early expulsion of fetal membranes and reduce uterine infections with decreased neutrophils count.