[Retrospective study of the fertility outlook in cows after caesarean section]

Evaluating the possibility of performing a caesarean section on a cow with dystocia, the economic value of the animal usually plays a central role. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse and to determine possible factors influencing the fertility. In 1998, 1999 and the first half-year of 2000 a total of 207 cows had a caesarean section. 68% of the inseminated cows which gave birth to a living calf became pregnant again, whereas only 46% of the cows with a dead calf were successfully reinseminated. Thus, 59% of all inseminated cows became pregnant, 2.5% of them had an abortion. The occurrence of retained fetal membranes or of endometritis has been shown to have negative effects on fertility. Only 30% of subsequent inseminations were successful in cows which had suffered from endometritis. The probability of being affected by endometritis was twice as high after birth of a dead calf than after a living calf.