Effect of Administration of Garlic Extract and PGF2α on Hormonal Changes and Recovery in Endometritis Cows

The efficacy of garlic extract and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ in the treatment of endometritis in cows was evaluated. A total of 26 parous cows affected with endometritis were randomly allocated into three groups. Group I (n = 10) animals were infused (IU) with 10 ml garlic extract mixed with 90 ml normal saline, three times at 12 h interval starting from the day of estrum, whereas the animals of Group II (n = 10) were treated with a single injection of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ (25 mg Lutalyse) on the $10^{th}$ to $12^{th}$ day after estrus, and group III (n = 6) remained as control. Cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM) was collected from each animal at pre- and post-treatment estrus and subjected to white side test, pH determination and total bacterial load. The clinical recovery of cows was assessed by negative white side test reaction, pH value and total bacterial count of CVM at subsequent estrus. The recovered animals were inseminated with frozen-thawed semen twice at 12 h intervals and pregnancy was confirmed at 45-60 days following insemination. A significant decline (p<0.05) in pH of CVM was observed in both the treatment groups at subsequent estrus. After treatment there was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in bacterial load, whereas, it was increased in control group. A total number of 65 isolates were identified in CVM samples comprising mostly of facultative anaerobic bacteria. Plasma $T_4$ and $T_3$ concentrations were increased in all the treated animals, whereas, a decline was observed in cortisol levels following treatment. The overall conception rate was 50% in treated groups as compared to nil pregnancy in the control.