Methods of early recognition of puerperal and fertility disorders in the sow

Livestock Production Science, 10 (1983) 253--264

253

Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands

METHODS OF EARLY RECOGNITION OF PUERPERAL AND FERTILITY DISORDERS IN THE SOW

BRIGITTE PETERSEN

Institut fiir Anatomie, Physiologie und Hygiene der Haustiere der Universit~'t Bonn, Katzenburgweg 7--9, 5300 Bonn (W. Germany) (Accepted 12 December 1982)

ABSTRACT Petersen, B., 1983. Methods of early recognition of puerperal and fertility disorders in the sow. Livest. Prod. Sci., 10: 253--264. Under field conditions an assessment was made of the degree to which the urine test, with quick and simple screening methods, can be used as a suitable technique for early detections of puerperal diseases in sows. Moreover, there should be a clarification of the importance of and the relationship between bacteriuria during pregnancy and puerperal diseases, as well as the influence of bacteriuria upon the breeding performance of the sow. Using the urine test, as well as test strips and dip slides, it was possible to detect a "preinfection s y m p t o m " of the mastitis, metritus, agalactia (MMA)-syndrome -- bacteriuria. Bacteriuria could therefore be diagnosed very early and lead to identification of the animals which were excreting microorganisms indicative of infection of the urinary tract. By the combination of several urine parameters, the demarcation between those sows which were at risk of contracting infection, and those not in danger could be improved. When optimal diagnostic accuracy is required complementary tests should be used. The most important parameters in the test proved to be the number of bacteria and the total protein content in the urine.

INTRODUCTION

The mastitis, metritis, agalactia(MMA)-syndrome o f sows, an important cause of starvation and reduced growth rate of young piglets, is a poorly understood disease process (Ross et al., 1981). The early recognition of these changes which cause the illness in the animal or the stock, and the prophylactic measures which are based on this, will probably be more effective than a treatment which may taken place after definite symptoms are seen (Wrathall et al., 1977). However, an early intervention requires not only a detailed knowledge of all the stages of the illness, but also, especially in farm animals, suitable and practicable methods for precautionary examinations as a part of the preventive programme. 0301-6226/83/$03.00

© 1983 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.

254

The question of h o w far the diagnosis of infections in the urinary tract can assist an early recognition o f MMA in susceptible sows, was followed up. The present investigation was based on examinations carried out by Berner et al. (1968, 1971), who were successful in providing the connection between sow urinary infections which were not apparent clinically, and the frequent occurrence of illnesses in the puerperal uterus and the mammary glands of the dams in a stock. An investigation should be made to determine if the examination of the urine could be used by simple and practicable means in the practical conditions of piglet-producing farms. Additionally, it was necessary to clarify the importance o f infections of the urinary tract during illnesses of the puerperium, and to show what influence such infections have on the breeding performance of the sow.

M A T E R I A L AND METHODS

In three piglet-producing farms, examinations were made at regular intervals over a one-year period. Urine samples were taken from each sow several times during the last stages of pregnancy (minimum 5 samples ante partum) and lactation (minim u m 4 samples post partum). Mid-stream urine of sows was collected at the time of morning feeding. The specimens were tested organoleptically, bacteriologically and clinically/ chemically with the help of laboratory methods, as well as with easy to handle screening tests, such as an eight-pad test strip for the determination of nitrite, pH, protein, glucose, ketone, urobilinogen, bilirubin and blood (Combur 8 Test Boehringer-Mannheim) and dip-slides (Urotube, Hoffmann La Roche).

Screening tests Ca) The Griess nitrite-test, which depends on the reduction, by proliferat~ ing bacteria, of nitrate to nitrite which can be detected colorimeterically as an indirect, and by the dip-slide m e t h o d for the cultivation of microorganisms as a direct bacteriological test. (b) The front side o f the dip-slide is covered with Cled agar for the determination of the total bacterial count, and the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The reverse side of the plastic ridge contains a MacConkey agar for the selective growth of Gram-negative bacteria and, as a third culture medium, a Cetrimid agar for the selective growth of some strains of Pseudomonas. The culture media were inoculated b y dipping the slide into the fresh urine sample. The slides were incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Bacterial counts of ~> 106 m1-1 urine indicated a significant bacteriuria.

255

Sows were classified in 3 groups according to the results of the bacteriological urine screening: Group 1: in all cases a negative result of the urine test ante partum and post partum, which means no significant bacteriuria. (a.p. - ; p.p. - ) Group 2: negative result of the urine test ante partum, but a positive result post partum. (a.p. --; p.p. +) Group 3: in all cases a positive result o f the urine test, ante partum and post partum. These sows had 104, or over, germs (colony-forming units (CFU)) m1-1 urine every time a sample was taken (a.p. +; p.p. +). Parallel test strips were dipped into a fresh urine specimen (on the same farm). The protein test is based on the principle of the protein error of a pH indicator. The newly developed indicator makes the test almost specific for albumin. It is particularly sensitive to low-molecular albumin which is excreted in the urine in renal disease. The threshold value for a clear proteinuria was ascertained as being a total protein content of .>t 30 mg 100 m1-1 urine; and 4 groups were distinguished according to ante partum protein content: less than 30 mg,/> 30--49 mg, >~ 50--99 mg and >~ 100 mg 100 m1-1 urine. Data on the health of the dam and the piglets, as well as the breeding performance of the sows involved in the 346 litters observed, were included in the statistical analysis evaluation. The evaluation of the diagnostic value and accuracy of the analysis was calculated with the mathematical treatments of the Bayes theorem, information theory, and the likelihood ratio method {Vecchio, 1966; Bfittner, 1977). The question was, h o w certain or probable is it that a sow can be recognized as being "high risk MMA", if a positive result is shown three weeks before farrowing; or, if a result is negative, whether it is possible to recognize the sow as not being "MMA-endangered". The percentage of times that a positive test will detect a diseased individual may be calculated as follows N u m b e r of diseased (or endangered) animals with positive test

Predictive value =

(of a positive f~st)

X

Total number of animals giving a positive test

Actual prevalence o f disease X 100 The predictive value o f a negative test is the percentage of times that a negative test will detect a non-diseased animal. N u m b e r of non-diseased (or not endangered) animals with negative test

Predictive value =

(of a negative test)

X

Total number of animals with negative test

Actual prevalence of non-diseased X 100

256 RESULTS

Relationship between bacteriuria ante partum and pathological procedures and breeding performance Figure I shows the relationships b e t w e e n the total number of germs and the pathological results, e.g.: illnesses post partum, return of oestrus, culling and death. Nearly all the dams which gave positive results in the urine test before farrowing, contracted the disease post partum as defined in the MMA-complex. They showed the main s y m p t o m s of a high temperature and a heavy discharge. Of those sows which showed no significant bacteriuria PERCENTAGE OF:

% CULLING OR

20 10

DEATH

8o i

50 RETURN

OF

OESTRUS > l X

10

00I0 RATE OF INFECTION

i0

~

/

GROUP1

GROUP2

GROUP3

ANTE PARTUM -

ANTE PARTUM -

ANTE PARTUM +

POST PARTUM -

POST PARTUM +

POST PARTUM +

Fig. i. Relationships b e t w e e n bacteriuria (+ = ~ 10 6 C F U r n l -I urine) and patbologic~ conditions.

257

before farrowing, but which underwent urine tests a short time before the birth of the litter, with results showing 104 CFU m1-1 urine or over, 72% suffered from puerperal disturbance. Despite this, another quarter of the sows contracted feverish illnesses, even though significant bacteriuria was not shown at any time while samples were taken. The sows which discharged a large number of bacteria both before farrowing and after the birth of a litter, were the ones which either did not become pregnant again or which only became pregnant after several heat periods. This occurred significantly more often compared to dams which gave a negative urine test in all the cases. The low fertility rate of these animals m a y also be the main reason for a high number of miscarriages. In the groups of sows with a constant bacteriuria, around 20% showed a discharge, and a resultant low rate of fertility. In the groups of sows with no discharge of germs in the urine, only 2% showed a lowered fertility. Further examinations in 18 farms showed that the higher the n u m b e r of sows with infections of the urinary tract, the greater was the annual rate of illness in this stock. The frequency of the occurrence of illness in animals in the post-natal stage was also increased, although these animals were tested before farrowing and the results of the urine test were negative. The percentage of sows affected by bacteriuria on a given farm, or the prevalence of infections of urinary tract, can therefore be indicators of the need for "hospitalization" or "rest", and this reflects the effect of the infection on the stock. Statistical differences between the different groups of sows can also be seen in the performance data. Table I shows the performance data of those groups of sows which were put together on the basis of the bacteriological results of the urine tests ante and post partum (see Table I). TABLE I The reproductive performance

o f s o w s o f 3 g r o u p s (classified according to r e s u l t s o f

bacteriological urine screening) Reproductive

performance

R e s u l t s o f bacteriological urine screening groups of sows Group I a

No. of piglets weaned/sow

Group 2b

Group 3c

= 8.89

x = 8.02

x = 7.51

s ± 1.82

s ± 1.74

s ± 2.47

Piglets m o r t a l i t y b i r t h t o w e a n i n g (%)

= 14.73 s +- 4 . 0 2

x = 20.28 s ± 6.52

~ = 21.14 s ± 5.43

Litter weight 29th day (kg)

= 60.79 s ± 1.18

~ = 54.93 s ± 7.33

~ = 50.04 s +- 5 . 7 4

a A n t e p a r t u m --; p o s t partum --. b A n t e p a r t u m --; p o s t p a r t u m + ( ~ 10 ~ C F U m1-1 u r i n e ) . CAnte p a r t u m +; p o s t p a r t u m +.

258

Although the number of piglets born in the year examined was not significantly lower in those animals with positive results with urine test, the number of piglets weaned per sow was considerably reduced. The number of piglets weaned per sow per year is also less, due to the prolonged interval between weaning and the date of the next service. If one considers the group of sows with constant bacteriuria, puerperal infection of the sows is the main reason for the low number of piglets reared, the high number of piglet losses, and the p o o r 28-day litter-weight. In over half the litters from these sows, illnesses during suckling, especially diarrhoea, were observed in the first days after farrowing. This, as well as the low number of piglets reared, explains the considerably low 28-day weight of the litter of around 10.75 kg. When comparing the groups, significant differences in the mean number reared could be found, especially between the t w o extremes: Groups 1 and 3 urine tests (Table II). T A B L E II

Significant differences of reproductive performance between 3 groups, classified according to the results of the bacteriological urine screening Reproductive performance

S i g n i f i c a n t differences between the g r o u p s 1--2

1--3

No. o f piglets w e a n e d / s o w

+ 0.87***

+ 1.38"**

Piglets m o r t a l i t y b i r t h t o w e a n i n g (%)

--5.55***

--6.41"**

Litter w e i g h t 2 9 t h d a y (kg)

+ 5.86***

+ 10.75"**

P = 0.05

2--3

+ 3.89** "

(*).

P = 0.01 (**).

P = 0.001 (***). -- = N o s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e .

In the groups of animals with negative results the number of piglets weaned was invariably significantly higher than in the group of sows with positive results, the difference being up to 1.38 piglets or more per litter. On the contrary, the percentage of losses of piglets was significantly lower by more than 6%. The difference in the mean values of Groups 2 and 3 differ statistically only in the 28-day weight of litter. The difference between Groups 1 and 3 is marked.

Relationship between proteinuria ante partum and pathological affections and breeding performance If only the results of the urine test ante partum are considered, then it is seen that there are also relationships between the total content of protein

259

ante p a r t u m in urine and pathological infections as well as the breeding perf o r m a n c e data of the sows. It can be seen t h a t puerperal disorders occur m or e f r e q u e n t l y among sows in the group with a high protein discharge (Fig. 2). In the group o f sows which discharged less than 30 mg 100 m1-1 urine, a ro u n d 30% o f the animals c o n t r a c t e d illnesses, whereas all animals which discharged 100 mg 100 m1-1 or over, showed s y m p t o m s of the MMA-complex. Those animals with a high total c o n t e n t of protein in their urine ante part u m were in heat more of t en one or more times than those sows which showed no clear proteinuria at this time. Over 80% of those sows with a high proPERCENTAGE OF:

% 60 50

CULLING OR

40

DEATH

30

@

2O I0

RETURN

OF

OESTRUS > l x

%100

RATE OF INFECTION

50

10

< 30

~_ 30 - 49 mg

PROTEIN

<_ 50 - 99

~_i00

IOO rnl-I U R I N E

Fig. 2. Relationships between m g protein 100 ml-~ urine and pathology.

260 tein discharge b e f o r e f a r r o w i n g did n o t b e c o m e p r e g n a n t after the first mating. It is o f t e n these sows w h i c h m u s t be r e m o v e d f r o m the farms d u e t o illnesses or bad b r e e d i n g p e r f o r m a n c e . There are also negative relationships seen with t h e a b n o r m a l l y high i n c i d e n c e o f p r o t e i n u r i a d u r i n g the p r e g n a n c y and breeding p e r f o r m a n c e o f t h e sows (see Table III). In the g r o u p s o f sows with an e x t r e m e l y high discharge o f p r o t e i n b e f o r e farrowing, an average o f m o r e t h a n 2 piglets less was p r o d u c e d , c o m p a r e d with sows with a n o r m a l t o t a l discharge o f p r o t e i n . TABLE III The reproductive performance of 4 groups of sows (classified according to the results of protein urine screening ante partum)

:ro°du:tiVno ~

Groups

No. of piglets weaned/sow

1 < 30

2 < 30-49

3 < 50-99

4 t> 100 mg protein per 100 ml urine

-- 8.72 s ± 1.80

~ = 8.48 s -+ 2.20

~ -- 7.98 s ± 2.15

~ = 6.56 s +- 3.12

~ -- 8.03 s ± 2.51

x = 18.15 s ± 6.50

x = 30.15 s ± 5.49

~ = 55.96 s ± 10.51

~ = 55.67 s ± 15.05

~ = 40.67 s ± 26.11

= 16.17 Piglets mortality birth s ± 5.05 to weaning (%) Litter weight 28th day (kg)

= 58.92 s ± 12.74

T h e losses o f piglets are a l m o s t twice as high in G r o u p 1. T h e r e is also a c o n s i d e r a b l e d i f f e r e n c e o f m o r e t h a n 18 kg in t h e average weight o f t h e litters o f t h e sows w i t h a high p r o t e i n u r i a , in c o m p a r i s o n w i t h t h e litters o f animals w h o s e urine s h o w e d values o f u n d e r 30 m g p r o t e i n 1 0 0 m l - ' urine, b u t this d i f f e r e n c e c a n h a r d l y be b a c k e d u p b y statistics. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , highly significant d i f f e r e n c e s can be seen b e t w e e n t h e losses o f piglets and t h e n u m b e r o f piglets reared, especially if o n e considers t h e differences o f t h e m e a n values o f t h e t w o e x t r e m e g r o u p s (1 a n d 4).

Relationships between n u m b e r o f litters per s o w and percentage o f proteinuria and bacteriuria ante p a r t u m It was n o t e d t h a t t h e older t h e s o w o r t h e m o r e f r e q u e n t t h e births, higher f r e q u e n c i e s o f b a c t e r i u r i a and p r o t e i n u r i a (see Fig. 3) were f o u n d . Figure 1 s h o w s t h e positive test results f o r t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f germs and t h e t o t a l p r o t e i n c o n t e n t b e f o r e f a r r o w i n g with its p r o p o r t i o n a l f r e q u e n c y in respect t o t h e size o f t h e litter. A m e d i u m - s i z e d c o r r e l a t i o n exists b e t w e e n t h e f r e q u e n c y o f the o c c u r r e n c e o f a p r o t e i n u r i a ante p a r t u m and t h e size o f the litter, whereas the o c c u r r e n c e o f a significant bacteriuria ante p a r t u m and the size o f the litter s h o w a very s t r o n g correlation.

261 ~, 6 0

I./I•

~ 5o

I

P r o t e i u r i a a.p. r1 = 0 . 7 2 0 ~

/

c

•

o 40

•

m

~/~

1111

Bacteriuria r2 = 0 . B 2 7 ~

/

•

II

ilJ

~c 3o o L

a 20 0 I---

10

II

I

1

2

3

i

i

4

5

Number

I

6

78>-9

of l i t t e r s

Fig. 3. F u n c t i o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s b e t w e e n t h e p e r c e n t a g e o f cases w i t h p r o t e i n u r i a a n t e p a r t u m a n d b a c t e r i u r i a a n d t h e l i t t e r size.

Evaluation o f the predictive value o f urine tests What importance do the n u m b e r of germs and total protein count, and their methods of determination have for the process of a precautionary examination for the MMA-complex? How well can those sows whose health is "very much endangered" be separated from those which are " n o t endangered", especially if there are no clear, outwardly recognizable s y m p t o m s in the animal. Taking the test-strip tests as an example, this test is the most practicable as it can be carried out on the farm and the results of the tests are available within a few seconds. Table IV shows t h a t the predictive value of a positive nitrite test is 90%, whereas a negative result is not very satisfactory as it is only 53% certain. This means that 47% of the animals fell ill, although the test ante partum was negative. The uncertainty factor in the protein test is around 30%. However, if both tests are combined there is a possibility of raising the selectivity between "endangered" and " n o t endangered" animals, as shown in Table IV. If both the bacteria test and the protein test are positive ante partum, there is a 97% probability t h a t the animal will be recognized correctly as being "MMA-risk". If both tests are negative, there is a 74% probability that an illness in the puerperium can be excluded. It can be noted from Table IV that by applying both tests at the same time the predictive value does improve.

262 TABLE IV Predictive value of a single test and a combination of two tests (probability (%) of whether or not a sow can be recognized as being an 'MMA risk", three weeks before farrowing) Predictive value of (%)

Negative test (%)

Bacteriologicalurine screening (nitritetest-strip)

90

53

Protein urine screening (protein test-strip)

75

70

97

74

Positive test

Combination of bacteriologicaland protein

urine screening

CONCLUSIONS With the help o f a simple urine test, it is possible to detect "pre-infection indication" of the MMA-complex. With bacteriuria as the main s y m p t o m and proteinuria as an accompanying s y m p t o m , the test could therefore be used to make a diagnosis before the birth of the piglets in animals which outwardly showed no obvious signs o f infection of the urinary tract. Causes incriminated in the disease of MMA as well as urinary tract infections could have included hormonal dysfunctions, mycotoxins, and bacterial infection (Martin and McDowell, 1975). Other factors cited which may be contributing or causative have included stress, poor management, improper feeding or poor nutrition, genetic predisposition, and prolonged gestation (Ross et al., 1981). The results of the field observations have indicated t h a t urinary tract infections are significant in diseases occurring in sows in the puerperal period and in fertility. This examination could assist in the early detection of potential problems in the herds and individual sows and in determining appropriate prophylactic measures. They are in good agreement with the observations of other workers (Berner, 1971; Both et al., 1980}.. It can be seen from the complex nature of the aetiology, the pathogenicity and the s y m p t o m a t o l o g y of the MMA-complex, that a specific therapy of this illness-syndrome is not possible. In any case most therapies which are carried out symptomatically, start relatively late, i.e., after the birth of the piglets. Further clinical evidence of agalactia as detected by pig hunger and pig weight loss, is not always easy to diagnose, especially when the mastitis is mild. It is possible t h a t such cases might be associated with "starve outs" i.e., partial losses of litters due to starvation, a c o m m o n and significant cause of

263

pig death loss. With a simple urine test three or two weeks ante partum one can recognize high-risk animals which are most likely to develop the symptoms following farrowing (problem animals) (Petersen, 1980). The breeding performance of these sows with a significant bacteriuria and an obvious proteinuria a.p. is much more serious. At the same time, these animals, which both discharge and multiply harmful bacteria in their urine, are a risk for healthy sows in the herd and the piglets (risk animals) (Petersen, 1980). By carrying out urine tests, the farmer can take steps which can help to improve his herd management. Dagorn and Aumaitre (1979) also have the opinion that an improvement of sows' productivity could be predicted and even guaranteed if individual attention is given to the animal. Besides this, the urine tests could be an integrated part of the precautionary measures taken to prevent illnesses among the stock and individual sow and herd deficiencies. As a base for sanitation programmes, these screening tests provide immediate information which introduces short-term environmental improvement, inducting therapy and a continuing check for disease in situ. In addition, where this check periodic information is available, it can be used to adopt hygienic measures on a long-term basis.

REFERENCES Berner, H., 1971. Die Bedeutung der Harnwegsinfektion bei der Entstehung yon PuerperalstSrungen und Mastitiden der Muttersau. Dtsch. Tier~/rztl. Wochenschr., 78: 253-256. Berner, H., Bolz, W. and Marx, D., 1968. Untersuchungen zur Atiologie der Puerperalerkrankungen der Sau unter Berficksichtigung der Erkrankung der Harnwege. Tier~/rztl. Umsch., 23: 51--58. Berner, H., Hamburger, R. and Freising, H., 1971. Therapieversuch bei Muttersauen mit chronischen Harnwegsinfektionen aus Best~nden mit geh~/uftem V o r k o m m e n yon Puerperalst~Srungen. Tier~/rztl. Umsch., 25: 535--545. Both, G., M611er, K. and Busse, E.W., 1980. Zur Frage der Beziehungen zwischen Fruchtbarkeitsst6rungen und Harnwegsinfektionen beim Schwein. Tier~rztl. Umsch., 35: 468--473. Bfittner, H., 1977. Die Beurteilung des diagnostischen Wertes klinisch-chemischer Untersuchungen. J. Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem., 15: 1--12. Dagorn, J. and Aumaitre, A., 1979. Sow culling: reasons for and effect on productivity. Livest. Prod. Sci., 6: 167--177. Martin, C.E. and McDowell, W.S., 1975. Lactation failure (mastitis-metritis-agalactia). Ames, IA, Iowa State University Press, pp. 953--960. Petersen, B., 1979. Die Harnuntersuchung bei der Sau -- eine einfache Methode zur Erkennung yon Problemtieren. Prakt. Tierarzt, 60: 1092--1095. Petersen, B., 1980. Die Harnuntersuchung bei Sauen -- ein Beitrag zur Vorsorge von puerperalen Infektionen und FruchbarkeitsstSrungen. Diss., Bonn, pp. 99--113. Ross, R.F., Orning, A.P., Woods, R.D., Zimmermann, B.J., Cox, D.F. and Harris, D.L., 1981. Am. J. Vet. Res., 42: 949--955.

264 Vecchio, T.J., 1966. Predictive value of a single diagnostic test in unselected populations. N.Engl. J. Med., 274: 1171--1173. Wrathall, A.E., 1977. Repr.oductive failure in the pig: diagnosis and control. Vet. Res., 100: 230--237.

RESUME Petersen, B., 1983. M~thodes de diagnostic pr~coce des maladies puerp~rales et des troubles de la fertilit~ chez la truie. Livest. Prod. Sci., 10:253--264 (en anglais). O n a effectu~ des tests simples des ~chantillons d'urine de truies ~lev~es dans des ~levages commerciaux, en vue d'une d~tection pr~coce des maladies puerp~rales. O n a ensuite pr~cis~ la fr~quence de la prdsence de bact~ries dans l'urine pendant la gestation, et sa relation avec les infections et les troubles de f~condit~ chez la truie. A partir des dosages dans l'urine, et des tests effectu~s avec les papier indicateurs, on peut pr~dire un risque d'infection de type mammite-m~trite-agalactic ( M M A ) en presence de plus de 106 germes par ml d'urine. O n peut alors poser un diagnostic pr~coce du syndrome latent chez l'animal atteint d'une infection urinaire. La combinaison des tests sur l'urine permet de diff~rencier les truies ~ haut risque d'infection et des truies sans risque. O n doit cependant recourir ~ des tests compl~mentaires pour pr~ciser le diagnostic. Le nombre total de germes ainsi que la teneur en proteines vraies de l'urine sont des tests de d~pistage rapides et appropri~s.

KURZFASSUNG

Petersen, B., 1983. Methoden der Friiherkennung yon Puerperal- und Fruchtbarkeitsst6rungen bei der Sau. Livest. Prod. Sci., 1 0 : 2 5 3 - - 2 6 4 (auf englisch). In einem Feldversuch wurde iiberpriift, inwieweit die Harnuntersuchung mit Hilfe einfach zu handhabender und schnell durchzufiihrender Screening-Methoden als ein Verfahren der Gesundheidskontrolle und -vorsorge im Ferkelerzeugerbetrieb eingesetzt werden kann. Dartiber hinaus galt es zu kl~iren, welches Gewicht und welche Bedeutung der der Bakteriurie w~hrend der Gravidit~it bei Erkrankungen im Puerperium zukommt, und welchen Einfluss sie auf die Produktionsleistungen der Sau hat. Bei Sauen mit hoher Keimausscheidung wNhrend der Gravidit~it lag eine signifikant hShere Erkrankungsrate post partum vor als bei Muttertieren ohne Bakteriurie. Die Zuchtleistungen dieser Sauen waren deutlich verschlechtert durch: kleine Wiirfe, lebensschwache Ferkel, hohe Ferkelverluste und lange Zwischenwurfzeiten. Die Hi/ufigkeit von PuerperalstSrungen im Sinne des M M A - K o m p l e x e s bei Tieren mit ante partum negativem Harnbefund stieg mit zunehmender Zahl bakteriurischer Sauen im Bestand. Mit Hilfe der Harnuntersuchung war es mSglich, ein "Vorfeldsymptom" des M M A - S y n d r o m s festzustellen. Durch Kombination verschiedener Harnparameter wurde die Abgrenzung zwischen "krankheitsgef~ihrdeten" und "nicht gef~'hrdeten" Sauen deutlich verbessert.