[Acid-base equilibrium in mother and fetus during labor and the resistance of newborn calves].

Investigated were a total of 59 cows presenting normal processes, of giving birth as well as dystocia, the time of delivery lasting 2, 10, 24, and 36 hours. Seventeen cows with dystocia were treated intravenously with 500 cm3 of a 4 per cent solution of sodium bicarbonate and 40 g glucose. It was found that the changes in the pH values, alkali reserves, glycogen, and the peroxydase activity of the neutrophiles in the mothers and fetuses were dependent on the duration of parturition. Cases of difficult labour with a prolonged calving period led to lowering the pH values the alkali reserves, and the enzyme activity of leukocytes both in the cows and the newborn calves. Newborns delivered 24 and 36 hours from the beginning of the parturition act showed low resistance and had weakly expressed phagocytic and bactericidal blood activity. The intravenous application of 50 ml of a 4% solution of sodium bicarbonate and 40 g glucose to cows with dystocia up to the 10th day led to a compensatory response on behalf of the acid-base balance in the calves.