Ultrasonographic examination of postpartum uterine involution in sows

Physiological uterine involution during the puerperium period is essential for sow reproductive health. Uterine involution in sows has mainly been described using macroscopic and histological examination after slaughter. The aim of this study, therefore, was to describe the continuous regression of uterine diameter from day 2-14 after parturition and on the day before weaning using ultrasonography in sows housed in a free farrowing system and in farrowing crates. Diameter of three uterine cross-sections was measured at 24 -hs intervals in 46 sows housed in a free farrowing system in Switzerland and 49 sows housed in farrowing crates in Germany. Overall, there was continuous regression of uterine diameter during the lactation period in both groups. Median diameter of the uterus decreased from 32.4 mm (min: 18.6 mm, max: 52.3 mm) on day 2-9.0 mm (min: 7.6 mm, max: 12.7 mm) on the day before weaning (on average 30 days p.p.) in sows housed in free farrowing systems. Median diameter of the uterus of sows in farrowing crates decreased from 38.5 mm on day 2 (min: 21.6 mm, max: 56.3 mm) to 10.1 mm (min: 8.8 mm, max: 13.6 mm) the day before weaning (on average 29 days p.p.). Interestingly, parity, obstetrical intervention and administration of oxytocin was not associated with the decrease of uterine diameter during the study period. In summary, the ultrasonic examination is a suitable method to evaluate diameter of the uterus during the puerperium period in sows and to describe uterine involution in vivo.