Can Acupuncture Be Effective in Treating Insufficiently Dilated Cervix Following Intrapartum Uterine Torsion in Cows?

This prospective clinical field study evaluated the effect of acupuncture on cervical dilatation following manual correction of intrapartum uterine torsion in cows.

A total of 93 cows of different breeds and ages diagnosed with intrapartum uterine torsion were randomly assigned to two groups: Group I (n = 45), which received standardised acupuncture prior to retorsion, and Group II (n = 48), which served as a control without acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture was applied approximately 15 min before the initiation of the retorsion procedure. During this interval, all animals underwent a standardised clinical assessment of the birth canal, including manual evaluation of cervical passability based on predefined reference dimensions of the examiner's hand and tissue elasticity. This ensured consistent baseline characterisation of cervical status prior to retorsion. The acupuncture needles were inserted intramuscularly at predefined anatomical points and remained in situ throughout the subsequent obstetrical management, including the retorsion procedure and, where applicable, until completion of fetal delivery.

There was no significant difference in the degree of cervical dilatation immediately after retorsion between the two groups (p = 0.60). However, the interval between successful retorsion and calf delivery was significantly shorter in the acupuncture group compared with the control group (12.2 ± 1.2 min vs. 33.0 ± 1.3 min; p = 0.002). Surgical intervention for delivery was required less frequently in cows treated with acupuncture, although this difference did not reach statistical significance.

Acupuncture may represent a supportive therapeutic option in bovine obstetrics following uterine torsion. The observed reduction in time to delivery suggests potential clinical relevance, particularly in cases complicated by insufficient cervical dilatation. These findings support the consideration of acupuncture as an adjunctive, field-applicable strategy in bovine obstetrical practice, although further controlled studies are required to clarify the underlying physiological mechanisms.