Oxytetracycline Persistence in Uterine Secretion after Intrauterine Administration in Cows with Metritis

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Puerperal metritis in cows involves the acute inflammation of the uterus, which is often treated with antibacterial drugs. Restrictions on the use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine require the very precise selection of an antibiotic based on its pharmacokinetics and on sensitivity tests of pathogenic bacteria. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in oxytetracycline levels in uterine secretion over time after intrauterine administration in cows with metritis in relation to the sensitivity of pathogenic bacterial isolates. The concentrations of oxytetracycline in the uterine secretions were higher than the minimum inhibitory concentrations against pathogenic bacteria, provoking the infection of the uterus. Higher concentrations were measured in milk rather than in plasma. The intrauterine infusion of oxytetracycline for three consecutive days led to the alleviation of the inflammation and the restoration of the estrus cycle in cows. The local intrauterine administration of oxytetracycline requires the monitoring of the withdrawal time of milk to ensure consumer safety. ABSTRACT: Puerperal metritis in cows is often treated with antibacterial drugs. The prudent use of antibiotics in farm animals requires state-of-the-art knowledge of their pharmacokinetics and data from sensitivity tests of pathogenic bacteria. Changes in oxytetracycline levels in the uterine secretion over time after intrauterine administration in cows with metritis were evaluated in relation to the sensitivity of pathogenic bacterial isolates. Oxytetracycline levels in plasma, milk and uterine secretion were determined via LC–MS/MS analysis. Pathogenic bacteria were isolated and their sensitivity to oxytetracycline was determined. The concentrations of oxytetracycline in the uterine secretion were 433.79 (39.17–1668.76) µg·mL(−1) six hours after the third application at a dose of 8 mg/kg and 84.33 (1.58–467.55) µg·mL(−1) 96 h after the last treatment. These levels were higher than the minimum inhibitory concentrations—namely, between 4 and 64 µg·mL(−1)—against pathogenic isolates Trueperella pyogenes, Streptococcus intermedius, Escherichia coli and Bacillus pumilis. Higher concentrations over time were measured in milk rather than in plasma, indicating the need to monitor the withdrawal time for milk. The intrauterine infusion of oxytetracycline for three consecutive days resulted in the successful treatment of metritis in terms alleviating inflammation and restoring the estrus cycle in cows.