Influence of time of initiation of a prostaglandin F2alpha protocol in dairy cows with puerperal endometritis

A field trial was conducted to elucidate the effect of the time of initiation of a repeated PGF2alpha-application in a 14 day interval for treatment of endometritis in dairy cows. On a commercial dairy farm in Brandenburg, Germany, a total of 494 dairy cows were examined by rectal palpation and adspection for signs of endometritis (vaginal discharge, enlarged uterus) between day 20 to 26 post partum (dpp). We performed two further examinations by rectal palpation and external adspection to monitor the puerperal phase (34.-40. dpp, 55.-61. dpp). All cows with symptoms of an endometritis were treated with PGF2alpha (0.15 mg R-Cloprostenol, Preloban, Intervet Deutschland GmbH Unterschleissheim) twice in a 14-day interval. In the group "Early" (n = 146) the first injection of Cloprostenol was administered at time of the 1st examination. In the group "Late" (n = 129) an identical treatment was administered in cows with endometritis, however it was started 14 days later (34.-40. dpp). The incidence of endometritis was 57.7% in the group "Early" and 53.5% in the group "Late" at the first time of examination. The 1st service conception rates for treated cows were 34% in the group "Early" vs. 37% in the group "Late". In the group "Early" differences were found in days open between treated cows with endometritis and untreated controls without symptoms of endometritis (99.1 d vs. 110.8 d, p > 0.05). In the group "Late", days open for treated (106.8 d) and untreated cows (108.0 d) were similar. The severity of endometritis influenced the percentage of cows pregnant at 200 dpp. Regarding cows with a severe endometritis (E2 and E3) the percentage of pregnant cows 200 dpp was higher in the group treated early (E2: 78.4%; E3: 80.0%) than in the group with the late initiation of the treatment (E2: 68.6%; E3: 54.5%, p < 0.05). Cows with a moderate endometritis (E1) had a similar percentage of pregnant cows (200 dpp) as the untreated cows without endometritis. It is concluded that application of PGF2alpha in the 4th and 6th week post partum in a 14 day interval in cases of severe endometritis is more effective than the application of the same treatment two weeks later.     

Prevalence of clinical endometritis and its impact on reproductive performance in grazing dairy cattle in Argentina

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of clinical endometritis and its impact on reproductive performance in grazing dairy cattle in Argentina to compare data with previous reports from herds kept in confinement housing systems. A total of 243 Holstein dairy cows from three commercial dairy farms in Buenos Aires Province (Argentina) were examined for the signs of clinical endometritis 18-38 days postpartum (dpp) by external inspection and manual vaginal examination. Vaginal discharge was scored into the categories VDS 0 (transparent, clear mucus), VDS 1 (mucupurulent discharge), VDS 2 (purulent discharge) and VDS 3 (purulent discharge with fetid odour). Cows diagnosed with VDS 1 to VDS 3 were regarded as affected with clinical endometritis and cows with VDS 0 as free of clinical endometritis. All cows were re-examined 14 days later following the same examination protocol. Prevalence of clinical endometritis 18-38 dpp was 35% and decreased to 18% at re-examination. Cows with no palpable ovarian structures or periparturient disorders were at higher risk for clinical endometritis. Hazard for pregnancy was significantly lower in cows with purulent or fetid odour discharge compared with reference cows with no discharge (HR=0.49; p=0.01), resulting in a lower proportion of cows pregnant by 360 dpp (66% vs 78%). Furthermore, the number of services per pregnancy was higher for cows with clinical endometritis than for cows without clinical endometritis (4.4 vs 3.1; p=0.04). Cows with clinical endometritis were 1.6 times as likely to be culled as cows with no signs of clinical endometritis. In conclusion, the prevalence and the impact of clinical endometritis in a pasture-based, extensive dairy production system in Argentina were similar to previously published data from dairy farms with confinement production systems.     

Evaluation of the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in dairy cattle using ultrasound

The aim of this study was to determine signs of subclinical endometritis found by ultrasound that are associated with reduced fertility in dairy cows.The maximum diameter of the uterine lumen was determined by ultrasound in 324 cows without clinical signs of endometritis after evaluation of the genital tract 21 to 27 days postpartum. Cows were classified into healthy or with subclinical endometritis by three threshold values for the maximum uterine lumen diameter of 0.2 cm, 0.5 cm or 0.8 cm. Examinations by rectal palpation and ultrasound as well as classifications were repeated 14 days later. In addition, ovaries were scanned by ultrasound to determine the stage of the estrous cycle. In a subgroup of 103 cows the echotexture of the uterus and its contents was evaluated. In these cows the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis was performed by a scoring system. The diameter of the uterine lumen was significantly affected by stage of the estrous cycle at the time of examination. However, no effects were found for the stage of the cycle at the time of examination on subsequent reproductive performance. A uterine lumen with a maximum diameter of more than 0.2 cm showed a significant negative association with conception rate and proportion of cows pregnant. Classification based on higher threshold values did not reveal an association with reproductive performance. Echogenic content in the uterus also decreased reproductive performance. A classification based on the echotexture of the uterus and its contents revealed significant differences between healthy cows and cows with subclinical endometritis regarding the proportion of cows inseminated and pregnant.The results of this study showed that the diagnostic of bovine endometritis should be broadend by ultrasonography. The definition of subclinical endometritis diagnosed by means of ultrasonography has to be evaluated in further studies.     

Effect of intrauterine treatment with cephapirin on the reproductive performance of seasonally calving dairy cows at risk of endometritis following periparturient disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of intrauterine cephapirin (0.5 g) treatment on the reproductive performance of cows diagnosed as at risk of developing endometritis. METHODS: Cows (n = 1325) from 17 seasonal calving dairy herds were enrolled if they had been calved for more than 6 days and had a condition that placed them at risk of endometritis. Half were treated with intrauterine cephapirin at an examination performed 28-37 days prior to mating start date (MSD). Cows were scored for body condition, their vaginal discharge was scored using vaginoscopy (VV), and the uterus and ovaries were assessed by rectal palpation. RESULTS: Overall, there was no significant treatment effect on reproductive performance. In 945 modified at risk (MAR) cows the effect of treatment varied with the calving to treatment interval (CTI) and VV status. For the subset of 229 MAR cows with CTI < or = 28 days, treatment improved the proportions of first-service conception (OR 3.1; P < 0.01) and 6-week in-calf (OR 2.1; P < 0.05), and reduced the mean MSD to conception interval by 20 days (P < 0.05). The difference was greater in cows with a positive VV score (1-3). Treated VV-negative cows with CTI > 48 days had a reduced proportion of cows in-calf by 6 weeks (OR 0.58; P = 0.056) compared with untreated cows. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine cephapirin infusion of MAR cows improved reproductive performance, depending on CTI. The greater treatment effect in VV-positive cows suggests that VV scoring is a useful tool for the diagnosis of endometritis.     

Rationale for treatment of endometritis in the dairy cow

Endometritis is an inflammation of the uterine lining that is commonly initiated at parturition. The degree of its effect on fertility varies with the severity of the inflammation, the time required for resolution of endometrial lesions, and the extent of permanent changes that impair endometrial gland functions and/or alter the uterine and/or oviductal environment. The primary nonspecific organisms associated with endometrial pathology are Corynebacterium pyogenes and the gram-negative anaerobes. The majority of postpartum dairy cows have some degree of endometritis but resolve it by 40 to 50 days post partum. Cows with certain periparturient disorders involving the reproductive tract and/or a defective host immune mechanism may acquire persistent infections that impair subsequent fertility. Not all infertile cows or all cows with positive uterine cultures have endometritis. Cows recovering from C. pyogenes endometritis may require 1 month after clearance of the organism for fertility to be restored. These cows, as well as many cows with slightly delayed uterine involution at 30 days post partum, do not benefit from antimicrobial therapy. The effect of endometritis varies between herds. It is associated with prolongation of calving intervals that can vary from less than 2 weeks to 2 months or more. The cost of days open beyond 80 to 110 days post partum is currently estimated to be $2.00 to $2.25 per day. Evaluation of the bovine genital tract is best conducted by a rectal examination combined with a vaginal speculum examination. Cows selected for therapy for endometritis should meet the strict requirements of a grossly enlarged uterus and a severely abnormal uterine discharge. Induction of estrus is the treatment of choice whenever possible. When antimicrobial therapy is indicated, tetracycline is recommended for intrauterine use during the early postpartum period when mixed bacterial populations are present. Commonly used doses are 2 to 3 gm. For systemic signs of illness, systemic administration of penicillin has been recommended. Twice daily doses of 5000 to 10,000 IU of penicillin per kg may be necessary to maintain therapeutic blood concentrations. Systemic administration of an antimicrobial is necessary to achieve therapeutic concentrations in the oviducts, cervix, and vagina. With chronic endometritis due to C. pyogenes, intrauterine administration of 1 to 1.5 X 10(6) IU of procaine penicillin G has been recommended. Multiple daily treatments are desirable. Milk from treated cows should be tested for penicillin before it is added to bulk tank milk. It still is not clear whether antimicrobial therapy is cost effective.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Effect of three programmes for the treatment of endometritis on the reproductive performance of a dairy herd

Three management programmes to improve the reproductive performance of a dairy herd were compared in a prospective controlled field study on one commercial farm. A total of 542 cows were examined for endometritis 22 to 28 days postpartum and assigned to one of three treatment groups: in group 1 the cows with signs of endometritis were treated with an intrauterine infusion of 100 ml of a 2 per cent polycondensated m-cresolsulphuric acid formaldehyde solution; in group 2 the cows with signs of endometritis were treated with an intrauterine infusion of 125 ml of a 20 per cent eucalyptus compositum solution; and in group 3 all the cows were injected intramuscularly with 0.75 mg of tiaprost, an analogue of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) at two-week intervals, starting on day 43, until they were inseminated. Thirty-four per cent of the cows showed signs of endometritis. In group 3, oestrus detection efficiency was significantly higher than in groups 1 and 2 (P<0.05), the interval to first service was shorter, and the cows had fewer days open than the cows in groups 1 and 2 (P<0.05). The results indicate that management programmes based on the strategic use of PGF2alpha are an effective alternative to traditional programmes based on rectal palpations and intrauterine infusions to control endometritis at a herd level.     

Evaluation of reproductive tract infection during early post-partum period and its relationship with subsequent reproductive performance in high milk producing dairy cows

Clinically normal Holstein‐Friesian cows (n = 43) were used to establish a relationship between the evaluations of the uterine condition by vaginoscopy, Metricheck, endometrial cytology (EC) and ultrasonography (US) during post‐partum period (pp), and subsequent reproductive performance. The uterine status of the selected cows was evaluated by EC, Metricheck, US and vaginoscopy on a weekly basis from the third week (W3) to the seventh week (W7) pp. The animals were bred after a voluntary waiting period of 45–60 days pp and diagnosed for pregnancy status at 45 days after breeding by US. First service conception rate (FSCR) of bred animals was 32.6% (14/43). There was no significant difference in polymorphonuclear leucocyte percentage between conceived and non‐conceived cows during different weeks post‐partum. First service conception rate in animals with normal vaginal discharge as detected by Metricheck was significantly low when compared to those of abnormal discharge during W3 (2.3% vs 30.3%; p < 0.001) and W4 (4.7% vs 29.7%; p < 0.01) post‐partum. Using US, the number of pregnant cows having fluid in uterus (FIU) during W6 (p < 0.01) and W7 (p < 0.001) post‐partum was significantly lower (2/34, 4.7% and 1/43, 2.3%, respectively) than those that had no FIU (12/43, 27.9% and 13/43, 30.3%, respectively). Using vaginoscopy, FSCR in animals having abnormal discharge was significantly (p < 0.01) low when compared to that of normal discharge (2.4% vs 30.2%) during W5 and W6 post‐partum. In conclusion, Metricheck during W3 and W4 and detection of FIU by US and vaginoscopy during W6 and W7 pp can be used as good predictive tools to anticipate the future reproductive performance of dairy cattle.     

Postpartum reproductive function in Finnish Ayrshire and Friesian cows after three subsequent parturitions

The postpartum reproduction functions of 84 Finnish Ayrshire and Friesian cows were studied on an experimental farm. The cows were divided according to type of feed into 2 groups of equal size: a hay-urea group and a silage group. The duration of the study was 3 years. Eighty-four cows were followed during their first postpartum period, 63 during 2 and 57 during 3 consecutive post partum periods.The cows were examined clinically by rectal palpation, and milk samples for progesterone assay were taken 3 times a week between calving and first insemination. External signs of heat were checked 3 times a day by the herdsmen.Intervals from calving to completed uterine and cervical involution, appearance of first palpable follicle, onset of first luteal function and onset of regular ovarian function were recorded. Intervals from calving to the first observed heat and to pregnancy were measured and the rate of successful pregnancies at the first insemination was calculated.Least squares methods were used for evaluation of the effect of individual cow, breed, parity/year and type of feed on postpartum reproductive function.The cows in the herd seemed to have equal reproductive functions which were influenced by the conditions during each year/parity rather than by the breed or type of feed.Individual cow effect was significant for the rapidity of uterine involution. Breed had no significant effect on any of the parameters studied.The effect of type of feed alone was not significant for any parameter, but when studying the intervals from calving to uterine involution and initiation of luteal function differences between the feed groups were noted within parity/year.The percentage of cows showing heat before the first dioestrus (luteal phase) increased with parity/year, and the first dioestrus was shorter than the second. The percentage of cows showing postoestrous bleeding increased with number of oestrous cycles post partum.     

The diagnostic and prognostic significance of ketonuria in fertility disorders of cattle

The diagnostic and prognostic significance of ketonuria for the prognosis of reproductive disorders in high-performance dairy cows was examined in 3 herds of Holstein Friesian and Holstein Friesian x Hungarian Red Pied F1 that were either primiparae or were due to calve for the 2nd to 8th time during the study period from mid-February to late March, 1988. The course of uterine involution and status of the ovaries was followed up by regular rectal and vaginal examination. In the first experiment (n = 15) the return of cyclic ovarian activity was monitored by determination of progesterone in milk twice weekly over a period of 10 weeks post partum. In the second experiment (n = 121) urine and milk samples were collected at intervals of 5 to 8 days over a period of 9 weeks post partum and analysed for ketone bodies. The body condition of the cows was estimated by a scoring system at 5 and 9 weeks post partum. In the third experiment (n = 289) urine samples taken 1-4 days before as well as 3 days and 5 weeks after calving were analysed for ketone bodies. Biologic reproduction data were followed up for 150 days post partum in all experiments. One to two thirds of the cows in the examined herds showed ketonuria post partum, some animals also displayed ketonuria ante partum. Persistent postpartal ketonuria occurred mainly among the older cows with a high performance that at the same time showed a marked loss of body condition during the first weeks post partum. Primiparous heifers seldom developed ketonuria, despite a generally poor body condition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Hormonal treatments for fertility disorders in cattle

In dairy cows, hormonal treatments are commonly implemented for acyclicity, silent heat and endometritis. Before treatment, causes of infertility need to be detected and severe failures in housing, feeding or other diseases must be eliminated. Without sustainable improvement of herd management, the use of intensive hormonal treatments will not improve reproductive performance. The most common cause of anoestrous is silent heat. In cows with a palpable corpus luteum, injection of prostaglandin F2α (PGF) reliably induces oestrous. A satisfactory treatment for acyclicity (ovarian dystrophy, ovarian cysts) does not exist. Combinations of different hormones have greater treatment success than a single use of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Strategic use of PGF during the early postpartum period cannot be recommended because positive effects on uterus involution and resumption of the oestrous cycle after calving have not been verified. In contrast, application of GnRH combined with PGF in the puerperal phase appeared to have positive effects on fertility of cows with endometritis. The same applies to PGF for cows with chronic endometritis. Cases of endometritis with fetid odour of vaginal mucus or isolation of Trueperella pyogenes should be treated with antibiotics. Treatment before the 27th day post partum is not advisable. In conclusion, hormonal treatments can be used to treat fertility disorders. Nevertheless, in order to enhance the reproductive performance at the herd level, a sustainable improvement of the general conditions (housing, feeding, animal health, management) is a prerequisite.     

A Study of Endometritis Causing Repeat Breeding of Cycling Iraqi Buffalo Cows

The objectives of this study were to determine the non‐specific aerobic and anaerobic bacterial causes of endometritis causing repeat breeding of cycling Iraqi buffalo cows at Nineveh province, validate diagnostic criteria for endometritis and to evaluate the treatment efficiency of using systemic or intra‐uterine infusion of antibiotics for the treatment of endometritis. Data were collected from 60 buffalo cows with history of repeat breeding in different herds. All buffaloes were subjected to detailed clinical examination including external inspection, vaginoscopy and transrectal palpation of the cervix, uterus and ovaries. Swabs for bacteriology and biopsies for histopathology were collected from the uterine lumen from each cow. Character, odour and estimation of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) of the vaginal mucus were scored. Blood samples were collected from cows for creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) measurement. Treatment conducted using oxytetracycline with tylosin in local intrauterine infusion or systemically with hormonal treatment. The most pre‐disposing factor for uterine infection was retained placenta (13.3%). The most prevalent bacteria in uterine lumen were E. coli (23%), Archanobacterium pyogenes (13%) and Staphylococcus aureus (10%) were mostly isolated from buffaloes with repeat breeding. Vaginal mucus character score was associated with the bacterial growth density score. The difference in PMN was highly significant (p < 0.01) in animals with repeat breeding than control groups. In addition, PMNs was significantly (p < 0.01) correlated r = 0.894 with the character of vaginal discharge. High level of PMNs observed in buffaloes infected with A. pyogenes. Buffalo cows with endometritis had higher CK (321.47 ± 39.06 vs 162.01 ± 16.41 U/l) and AST (133.93 ± 12.43 vs 97.01 ± 6.86 U/l) activities (p < 0.05) than control‐heifers, but no significant difference was observed between buffalo cows with endometritis in CK (321.47 ± 39.06 vs 208.33 ± 5.84) and AST (133.93 ± 12.43 vs 156.17 ± 9.65) activities than control‐pluriparious. It could be concluded that A. pyogenes was the only non‐specific uterine pathogen directly associated with severe endometrial lesions. Vaginoscopy examination combined with palpation of uterus increase the accuracy of diagnosing endometritis and cytogenic examination of uterine discharge is more reliable method of establishing the presence or absence of uterine inflammation in buffalo cows. Animals with repeat breeding (endometritis) showed clinical cure and improved pregnancy in all treatment groups with no significant difference. The use of oestradiol in repeat breeder cases has no effect in improving neither clinical cure rate nor pregnancy rate.     

Changes in interleukin-6 concentration in peripheral blood of pre- and post-partum dairy cattle and its relationship to postpartum reproductive diseases

Reproductive diseases after parturition are a serious problem in dairy cattle. It is important to predict postpartum reproductive diseases early and to develop prophylaxis. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate changes in the peripheral blood concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) before parturition, which was mainly produced by T helper 2 type (Th2) cells, and to investigate a correlation between the IL-6 concentration and the occurrence of the postpartum retained placenta, endometritis and/or follicular cyst in dairy cattle. Twenty-seven Holstein-Friesian cows were used for this study. Thirteen had no clinical disease, 8 had retained placenta, 4 were diagnosed with endometritis by vaginal inspection, and 2 were diagnosed with follicular cyst by rectal palpation at 1 and 2 months after parturition. Blood samples were collected 60 days pre- and post-partum. They used for IL-6, progesterone (P(4)) and estradiol-17beta (E(2)) concentration determination. This study showed that the IL-6 concentration prepartum was higher than postpartum. Low levels of IL-6 and P(4) in peripheral blood prepartum tended to affect retained placenta and a high level of IL-6 prepartum tended to affect endometritis. These results indicate that measurement of change in the IL-6 concentration during pregnancy is one useful tool for predicting crisis in postpartum reproductive diseases in dairy cattle.     

Combined GnRH and PGF2α Application in Cows with Endometritis Puerperalis Treated with Antibiotics

The investigations were carried out on a total of 70 cows with puerperal endometritis. In addition to intrauterine antibiotic treatment, 30 experimental animals were administered 20 μg GnRH analogue, buserelin, between days 10 and 12 post‐partum followed by 500 μg PGF_2α analogue, cloprostenol, 10 days later. Forty control cows were treated only with intrauterine antibiotics. Blood samples for progesterone determination were collected from the tail vein twice weekly until day 70 post‐partum. The first rise in progesterone level above 3.18 nmol/l occurred significantly earlier in the experimental than in control cows (21.6 ± 9.2 versus 27.8 ± 12.3 days; p ≤ 0.05). The duration of the first cycle post‐partum was 15.0 ± 4.3 days in experimental and 19.7 ± 7.3 days in control animals (p ≤ 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the occurrence of first oestrus post‐partum. The involution of the uterus was improved after hormone treatment. At day 42 post‐partum, completion of uterine involution was found in 93.3% of hormone‐treated cows and in 82.5% of those treated with antibiotic only (p ≤ 0.05). Clinical recovery was 96.6% in the experimental and 82.5% in the control group (p ≤ 0.05). First service pregnancy rate was significantly better in hormone‐treated than control cows (51.7 versus 36.4%; p ≤ 0.05). Total pregnancy rate and insemination index values were not significantly improved following GnRH and PGF_2α treatment. The average service period was 89.8 ± 21.2 days in cows after hormone treatment, and 112.6 ± 24.5 days in control cows. The difference was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). These results indicate, that the sequential GnRH and PGF_2α application in cows with puerperal endometritis positively affected ovarian function and uterine involution, resulting in improved fertility performance.     

The effect of mild fat infiltration in the liver on the fertility of Finnish Ayrshire cows

The objective of this work was to study the effect of mild fat infiltration in the liver on the reproductive performance of Finnish Ayrshire cows. Eighty-five multiparous and 17 primiparous cows were investigated. The mean percentage of fat in the liver at 1 week after parturition was 3.9 ± 0.5. Cows with ≤ 9 % fat in the liver at 1 week after calving conceived slightly earlier than those with > 9% (87.1 ± 2.7 and 102.2 ± 15.0 days post partum, respectively). The difference was not statistically significant. The incidence rate of retentio secundina-rum and/or endometritis was significantly higher in the > 9 % fat group than in the ≤ 9 % fat group. Unobserved oestrus and ovarian cysts occurred with equal frequency in both groups.     

Relationship of ovarian contents to plasma progesterone concentration in the swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Using rectal palpation and laparoscopy, the relationship of ovarian contents to plasma progesterone concentration during the oestrous cycle, early pregnancy and post partum periods in the swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) was studied. During the oestrous cycle, four stages in the lifespan of the corpus luteum were seen laparoscopically. The mean (+/- sd) concentrations of progesterone in plasma in cows with and without a corpus luteum on their ovaries were 1.49 +/- 0.78 ng/ml (n = 31) and 0.14 +/- 0.09 ng/ml (n = 14), respectively. Plasma progesterone levels reflected age-dependent changes occurring in the cyclic corpus luteum. The accuracy of diagnosing ovarian contents was 82 and 91 per cent for rectal palpation and plasma progesterone levels respectively. Approximately 29 per cent follicles (larger than 10 mm) were incorrectly diagnosed as corpora lutea by rectal palpation.     

Prevalence of Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria as Genital Pathogens in Dairy Cattle

Bacteria on the genital mucosa have been studied less in healthy, non-puerperal cows than in cows with puerperal endometritis. We have thus analysed bacteria in swabs from the vagina and cervix of post-puerperal cattle (n = 644). Out of the animals, 6.8% had aborted within the last 12 months, 2.6% and 11.6% showed signs of vaginitis and endometritis, respectively. In 17.2% of cervical swabs pathogenic gram-positive and in 11.5% pathogenic gram-negative bacteria were found. Arcanobacterium pyogenes was isolated from 41.3% of cows with endometritis and from 3.5% without endometritis (p < 0.05). From 12.5% of cows with abortion but from no cow without abortion, Staphylococcus aureus was recovered (p < 0.05). Out of 383 vaginal swabs, 88.3% were positive. In 3.4% of swabs pathogenic gram-positive and in 16.7% pathogenic gram-negative microorganisms were found. The percentage of positive vaginal swabs did not differ between pregnant and non-pregnant animals. In the genital tract, the percentage of swabs positive for normal mucosal bacteria decreased from caudally to cranially (p < 0.05). Pathogenic bacteria were found more often in cervical than in vaginal swabs (p < 0.05). In conclusion, bacteria on the vaginal and cervical mucosa in cattle involve a wide range of species. In animals without endometritis or vaginitis, colonization of the mucosa rather than infection has to be assumed.     

Incidence of subclinical endometritis and its effects on reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows

In dairy cattle, uterine infections are not life threatening and often unavoidable; however, they reduce fertility and increase the production costs of properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of subclinical endometritis from 32 to 70 days in milk (DIM) and its effects on the reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows. Lactating cows (Holstein/Gir; n?=?172), with no history of retained placenta, without clinical signs of uterine infection were used. The body condition score (BCS) was evaluated on a scale from 1 to 5. Ultrasound examination was performed to evaluate uterine lining and ovarian activity, while vaginal mucus was analyzed by gloved hand. The diagnosis of subclinical endometritis was performed by endometrial cytobrush technique. The samples were collected, stained, and examined microscopically; positive cases for subclinical endometritis were considered with the presence of ≥5 % of neutrophils. Later, the cows were submitted to conventional artificial insemination or timed artificial insemination. The incidence of subclinical endometritis in the herd was 26 %, and this was not affected by the season of calving, presence of corpus luteum, DIM, and parity. Cows with a BCS ≤2.50 had a higher incidence of subclinical endometritis. The conception rate to first insemination and pregnancy rate at 150 days postpartum were not influenced by the presence of subclinical endometritis in crossbred dairy cows.     

Clinical and Bacteriological Aspects on the Use of Oxytetracycline and Flunixin in Primiparous Cows with Induced Retained Placenta and Post-partal Endometritis

Retention of the fetal membranes and post‐partal endometritis (RFM) are common problems in dairy cows. Treatment often includes manual removal of the placenta in combination with antibiotic treatment. Earlier studies have shown that cows with endometritis post‐partum have a strong tendency to recover spontaneously. The present study focused on treatments of post‐partal endometritis with the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, flunixin (F) either alone or combined with oxytetracycline (T). The study was conducted in two experiments, using 12 primiparous cows in each. As a model for RFM, premature parturition was induced in late pregnant heifers by injecting PGF_2α (25 mg i.m.) twice with a 24 h interval. In each experiment the cows were set into four groups and treated with either T (10 mg/kg BW i.m. once daily), F (2.2 mg/kg BW p.o. twice daily), a combination of T and F (dosage, as above) or conservatively (group 0, no drugs). The treatment periods lasted from days 11–14 post‐partum in experiment 1 (groups T1, F1, TF1 and 0) and from days 3–6 post‐partum in experiment 2 (groups T2, F2, TF2 and 0). Jugular vein blood samples were collected for analyses of flunixin and total white blood cells. Uterine biopsies were collected twice weekly for investigation of endometrial microbiology. Rectal palpation and ultrasonographic examinations were performed three times weekly for investigations of uterine involution and ovarian activity. No attempts were made to remove the placentas manually. The experiment lasted until day 56 post‐partum. The induction of parturition was successful in all heifers and 22 of 24 animals had RFM. All RFM cows had bacterial endometritis. The predominant bacteria were Escherichia coliα‐haemolytic streptococci, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Arcanobacterium (Actinomyces) pyogenes, Bacteroides spp., Pasteurella spp. and Proteus spp. Fusobacterium necrophorum and A. pyogenes could be isolated for 3–5 weeks post‐partum and E. coli, Pasteurella and Proteus could be isolated for 2–3 weeks post‐partum. Animals treated with tetracycline after placental shedding (T1 and TF1) had a more rapid recovery from infections with A. pyogenes and F. necrophorum than animals that were not treated with tetracycline. No other genera were affected. Antibiotic treatment before placental shedding (T2 and TF2) did not shorten the uterine infection but altered the bacterial flora, seen as an overgrowth of Proteus spp. (p < 0.05) and increased frequency of Pasteurella (p < 0.05). The α‐haemolytic streptococci were less common in T2 and TF2 than in other groups (NS). Antibiotic treatment of cows before placental shedding (T2 or TF2, n=6) postponed detachment of placenta compared to cows were no antibiotics were administered before placental shedding (T1, TF1, F1, F2 and 0, n=16, 9.8 days pp (median) versus 11.8, p=0.004). Neither treatment shortened uterine involution. Flunixin treatments did not seem to influence recovery from infection or uterine involution. It was concluded that early oxytetracycline treatment of retained fetal membranes in the cow did not shorten the uterine involution or uterine infection but it did slow down the detachment process of the retained placenta. Oxytetracycline treatment after placental shedding might shorten the uterine infection but otherwise did not affect the clinical results. Flunixin treatment had no influence on the clinical outcome of the disease.     

Use of postpartum vaginoscopic (visual vaginal) examination of dairy cows for the diagnosis of endometritis and the association of endrometritis with reduced reproductive performance

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between the findings from vaginoscopic examination of postpartum dairy cows with peripartum reproductive disease and their subsequent reproductive performance, and to determine the factors that might be associated with a positive vaginoscopic examination (VV). METHODS: Cows (n=1325) from 17 seasonal calving dairy herds were enrolled if they had been calved at least 7 days and had at least one of the following conditions that placed them at risk of endometritis: retained fetal membranes (RFM), dystocia, a dead calf, hypocalcaemia, twin birth, calving induction or an observed vulval discharge (VD). Examination was undertaken 28-37 days before mating start date (MSD) within each herd. All cows were body condition scored (BCS) and were VV scored on a scale of 0 (clear) to 3 (purulent). The uterus and ovaries were assessed by rectal palpation. RESULTS: Cows with a positive VV score (1-3) were less likely to conceive to first service and had a lower pregnancy proportion than cows that had a negative VV score (score 0). Mean MSD to conception interval was longer in VV-positive cows. A positive VV score was associated with a low BCS, primiparity, intrapelvic uterus, poor uterine tone, large uterus, RFM, VD, dystocia, dead calf and twins. CONCLUSION: In the present study a positive VV score was associated with reduced reproductive performance and was more common in primiparous and low BCS cows. Of the at-risk cows, those with RFM, VD, dystocia, dead calf or twins were more likely to have a positive VV score.     

Activity of the ovarian follicle system in cows with various puerperal courses

The presence of the various categories of follicles (less than 0.05; 0.5-1.0; 1.0-1.5; less than 1.5 cm) in the ovaries was examined by palpation, endoscopically and post mortem in cows with a physiological puerperium (n = 5), with puerperal endometritis (n = 5), and with retention of afterbirth (RS, n = 5) from the second to the 20th day post partum (p.p.). The largest proportion (82.6%) of the smallest follicles (less than 0.5 cm) was recorded between the fourth and seventh day p.p. in clinically healthy cows; a marked decrease was then observed until the 15th day p.p. In cows with endometritis the proportion of the smallest follicles was only 60%. The average number of follicles 0.5 to 1.0 cm in size increased 1.6 times in the healthy cows between the 7th and 15th day p.p., but in cows with pathological puerperium their number declined. The largest follicles (greater than 1.5 cm) occurred in the cows with pathological puerperium as late as at the end of the period of study, whereas in healthy cows their occurrence was fairly frequent sooner--between the 8th and 11th day p.p. In all groups of cows the average number of follicles of all size groups declined until the 12th day p.p. which is an indication of the finished first growth wave. Occurrence of the first follicle larger than 1 cm in diameter was observed in 73.3% of cases in the contralateral ovary, opposite to the originally gravid uterine horn. It is assumed that delayed and asynchronous growth of follicles in cows with pathological puerperium is a consequence of disturbed repairing processes of endometrium and of endocrine dysfunction.