June, 1958]
S.
N.
LUKTUKE,
ET
AL.
97
heifirs settled as a result of intra-uterine treatment with antibiotic in the present inves-
tigation. As the fertilized ovum reaches the uterus 3 to 4 days after servicee [winters
et al., 1942], there is apparently no harm in giving intra-uterine treatmet one or
two days immediately following the oestrum. This will not interfere with fertilisa-
tion but will allow time for reaction of antibiotics on the bacterial flora of the uterus
[Lindley 1954]. As the spermatozoa reach the fallopian tube within 2-5 minutes
of service, Lindley attempted infusions of the uterus with antibiotics as early as
30 minutes after insemination without interferring with conception. He, however,
recommends that this practice may be resorted to only where it is impractical to
treat the cow one day after service. If the cows are treated during oestrum prior
to breeding, there is every danger of interference with conception [Fincher, 1952].
Treatment with a combination of penicillin, streptomycin and sulphanilamide is
reported to cover a wider spectrum of bacteria. Intra-uterine infusion with a solution
having such a combination is expected to give quite encouraging results in repeat
breeders. Lindley [1954] recommends the use of 2-5 lakh I.U. penicillin-sodium
and 1 gm. of streptomycin dissolved in 50 ml. of 12 per cent sulfapyridine solution
for intra-uterine infusions. These high initial dosages of antibiotics are considered
necessary to eliminate the possibility of the offending organisms acquiring resistance
[Molomut et al., 1956].
The incidence of various coital infections viz. trichomoniasis, vibriosis and epivag,
etc., in India is not yet known. Trichomoniasis has been recently detected in
Bengal and Bihar States [Basu 1956, Das 1956, Ishaque et al., 1957]. Mohan [1954]
conducted investigations on vibriosis in three different herds comprising of 82 cows
and 7 she-buffaloes. One buffalo-cow gave positive reaction to the vaginal mucus
agglutination test conducted with vibrio antigen. The vaginal mucus agglutination
test conducted by Luktuke et al. [1956] on Hariana cows and Murrah buffaloes at
the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar and the European cross-bred
cows at the Military Dairy Farm, Bareilly with the Swedish vibrio antigen did not
reveal the presence of vibriosis in these herds. Vibriosis has been recorded in many
countries in Europe. During the past few years we have imported, especially into
the southern part of India, many bulls from abroad. There is every likelihood
of the disease existing in India. Brucellosis is also widespread in the country.
The survey conducted by Polding [1947] indicated that brucellosis occurred in
almost all farms and in many villages of India, in the form of low-grade enzootics
causing 1-5 per cent abortions. During the countrywide survey on bovine infertility
in India, Bhattacharya et al. [1953] observed the incidence of subfertility varying
between 8 and 10 per cent in herds comprising over 25 animals. The most common
causes of reduced fertility were either sub-functioning of the gonads or metritis.
In over 1,000 animals observed to be sub-fertile, the incidence of repeat breeders
was 11 per cent. In 1,020 buffalo genitalia obtained from the Municipal abattoir,
Bareilly and examined by them [1954], the incidence of metritis was observed to be
as high as 27 per cent. It is commonly noticed that the first post-partum oestrous
discharge in cows and buffaloes under village conditions is often muco-purulent.
The possible cause could be the unhygienic condition of the byres, where parturition
occurs. Artificial breeding is being widely adopted for the rapid development of
our cattle wealth, and the veterinarians engaged in artificial insemination work