Abstract
The present study was carried out to investigate the relationship between creatinine and calcium concentration in buffalo serum in cases of uterine torsion before rolling, and 1 h and 24 h after calving. The degree, duration and site of uterine torsion, as well as fetus viability, time needed for cervical dilation, and the occurrence of uterine rupture were recorded. A total of 150 pregnant buffaloes suffering from colic and anorexia were brought to our clinic and clinically examined. Of these, 35 buffaloes were diagnosed with uterine torsion (different durations, directions and degrees) and the viability of the foeti and any evidence of uterine rupture were determined using ultrasonography and the serum levels of creatinine and calcium were estimated using calorimetric method. The animals were also examined for incidence of uterine rupture after rolling and calving. The calcium level significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with increasing duration and severity of uterine torsion, however, it was higher in cases where a live fetus was delivered compared with a dead one. Conversely, the creatinine level significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increasing duration and severity of uterine torsion but was lower in cases that delivered a live fetus compared with a dead one. The calcium and creatinine levels returned to approximately normal concentration within 24 h after calving. In conclusion, calcium and creatinine serum concentration have a correlation with duration and severity of uterine torsion. Animals with low levels of calcium (below 8.44 mg/dL) and high levels of creatinine (above 2.25 mg/dL) did not usually respond to rolling or suffer from uterine rupture during calving. The calcium and creatinine levels can be used as indicators for the prognosis of mechanical treatment of uterine torsion in buffaloes. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.