Cow-specific risk factors for retained placenta,metritis and clinical mastitis in Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between cow-specific risk factors and the lactational incidence risks of retained placenta (RP), metritis (MET) and clinical mastitis (CM) in 57,301 dairy cows on 20 large dairy herds in Iran between January 2005 and June 2009. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors for MET, RP and CM and quantify their odds ratio (OR). The lactational incidences of MET, RP and CM were 8%, 5.2% and 18.9%, respectively, and significant risk factors for MET were dystocia (OR = 4.32), stillbirth (OR = 6.26), RP (OR = 27.74), twin births (OR = 6.57), primiparity (OR = 1.68), calving during winter season (OR = 2.45) and male calves (OR = 2.41). Significant risk factors for RP were dystocia (OR = 3.17), stillbirth (OR = 3.18), abortion (OR = 8.46), milk fever (OR = 3.66), twin births (OR = 2.76), pluriparity (OR = 2.69), calving during winter season (OR = 1.86) and shorter gestation length of dairy cows (OR = 3.82). Also, significant risk factors for CM were RP (OR = 9.45), milk fever (OR = 12.36), pluriparity (OR = 2.83), calving during winter season (OR = 1.68) and the first months of lactation (P < 0.001)) and SCC concentrations at previous lactation (OR = 1.82). The current study indicates that differentiation can be made among cows in the risk of having MET, RP and CM based on a combination of cow factors. These differences among cows could be useful to aid the better detection of these diseases in the dairy herds.     

Bacteriological and cytological findings during the late puerperal period after two different treatments of retained placenta followed by acute puerperal metritis

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of two acute puerperal metritis (APM) treatment protocols on uterine condition during the late puerperal period (5^th to 7^th week). Late gestation healthy cows (n = 21) were divided randomly in three equal groups. Parturitions were induced. Treatments of APM were started on the third day postpartum (PP). Group A was treated with an oxytocin analogue carbetocin for three days and intrauterine administration of cephapirin between days 15 and 17. Group B was given intramuscular injection of ceftiofur for five days followed by two injections of prostaglandin F_2α, at an interval of 12 h, on the eighth day PP. Group C served as the control group with no treatment. Body temperature was recorded daily for 14 days PP. Uterine biopsies for bacteriology, and uterobrush samples for cytology, were taken once a week from the 5^th to 7^th week postpartum. No differences were found in body temperature on day 14 PP, presence of bacteriological infections and disappearance of uterine inflammatory signs diagnosed by cytological examination between experimental groups.     

Rationale for treatment of retained placenta in cows with neomycin and metronidazole.

A combination of neomycin and metronidazole was compared with oxytetracycline for its activity against the intrauterine flora of 10 cows with retained placenta. In vitro the metronidazole/neomycin combination reduced the numbers of aerobic and obligately anaerobic bacteria much more effectively than did oxytetracycline.     

Effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone on reproductive performance of dairy cows with retained placenta.

The effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) on the reproductive performance of dairy cows with retained placenta were studied. Three hundred and seventy-eight cows diagnosed as having retained placenta received intramuscular injections of either 2 mL sterile water or 200 micrograms of GnRH in 2 mL sterile water between day 8 and day 14 postpartum. Rectal palpation was performed at the time of treatment and ten to 20 days after treatment in order to determine the rate of uterine involution. Thereafter, monthly rectal examinations were carried out until insemination. Pregnancy diagnosis was made by rectal palpation at 40 days or more after breeding. Using the entire experimental population, there were no significant differences between GnRH-treated and control cows for the rate of uterine involution, the occurrence of reproductive problems, the interval from parturition to first observed estrus, the interval from parturition to first insemination, the interval from parturition to conception, the number of services per conception, the total number of services per cow regardless of conception and the incidence of culling for infertility. When the data for herds in which breeding began earlier in the postpartum period (herds having a mean less than or equal to 80 days from parturition to first service for retained placenta cows) were considered, the GnRH treatment resulted in a significantly shorter (p less than or equal to 0.01) calving to conception interval as compared to control cows. Also, there was a significant reduction (p less than or equal to 0.05) in the total number of services per cow regardless of conception and a significant reduction in the interval from parturition to first service.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of clinical mastitis and puerperal diseases on reproductive efficiency of dairy cows

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of clinical mastitis (CM) occurring before or after the first AI postpartum, and puerperal diseases...     

产褥期子宫炎对奶牛抗氧化能力、部分细胞因子、结合珠蛋白的影响

通过检测顺产后患产褥期子宫炎奶牛抗氧化能力、细胞因子变化和结合珠蛋白变化情况,为后期产褥期子宫炎治疗保健研究提供参考。选用20头产后健康荷斯坦奶牛为对照组(N组),产褥期子宫炎5例(PM),产后前10d检测体温;分别在产后3、7、14、21d经颈静脉采血,用试剂盒检测抗氧化能力、部分细胞因子和结合珠蛋白。结果显示:PM组体温在4~10d之间高于N组,其中第5、8天差异显著;PM组CAT、T-AOC、GSH-Px分别在3、7、7d显著高于N组,2组SOD、MDA差异不显著;N组IL-6、TNF-α分别在21、14d显著高于PM组。结果表明:产褥期子宫炎奶牛CAT、T-AOC、GSH-Px等抗氧化指标升高,细胞因子IL-6、TNF-α降低,进行药物对奶牛产褥期子宫炎的治疗保健效果评价试验时可参考上述变化显著的指标。     

Bayesian estimates of genetic parameters for metritis, retained placenta, milk fever, and clinical mastitis in Holstein dairy cows via Gibbs sampling

The objective of this study was to estimate heritability and genetic correlations between the liabilities of clinical mastitis (CM), milk fever (MF), metritis (MET), and retained placenta (RP) within the first three lactations of Holstein dairy cows. The records of 57,301 dairy cows from 20 large dairy herds in Iran between January 2005 and June 2009 were analysed with univariate and bivariate threshold animal models, using Gibbs sampling methodology. The final model included the fixed class effects of herd-year, season of calving, parity of dam, the linear covariate effect of age at calving, and the random direct genetic effect of animal. Posterior means of heritability for liabilities in first, second, and third lactations were 0.06, 0.08, and 0.09, respectively, for CM; 0.10, 0.12, and 0.11, respectively, for MF; 0.09, 0.07, and 0.10, respectively, for MET, and 0.07, 0.08, and 0.08, respectively, for RP. Posterior means of genetic correlations between disease liabilities were low or moderate (from −0.01 to 0.26). The results of this study indicated the importance of health traits for considering in the selection index of Iranian Holstein dairy cows.     

Economic and reproductive consequences of retained placenta in dairy cattle

The financial losses due to retained placenta in Dutch dairy cattle were estimated by using two different methods of calculation. A data-set containing the birth records of 160,188 Meuse-Rhine-Yssel cows provided data on the reproductive performance of cows with and without retained placenta. The fertility of cows after retention of the placenta appeared to be affected. An economic calculation made by adding the losses due to increased calving interval, increased culling rate, loss of milk production and the costs of veterinary treatment and drugs revealed that the total loss due to retained placenta was 471 pounds per year for a 100-cow farm with an average incidence of the condition (6.6 per cent). For a 'problem' farm with a 30 per cent rate, the loss was 2139 pounds per year. A computer farm simulation model, based on a stochastic determination of events, was used to make calculations for circumstances closely resembling those on farms. A 6.6 per cent rate of retained placenta caused a small but significant decrease in net return on labour and management; however, a 30 per cent rate caused highly significant changes. The economic effects of retained placenta were similar in magnitude in herds of high or low productivity and high or low fertility. Sensitivity analysis showed that the greatest financial losses were caused by loss of milk production, followed by the number of animals suffering from complications. The financial losses in herds with an average rate of retained placenta were thus of limited economic importance and therapeutic measures alone should be adequate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Short-term changes in serum luteinizing hormone, ovarian response and reproductive performance following gonadotrophin releasing hormone treatment in postpartum dairy cows with retained placenta.

Thirty-six postpartum Holstein cows consisting of eighteen cows that shed the placenta soon after calving (NRP) and eighteen cows that retained placenta greater than 24 h (RP) were used. There were four treatment groups. Group I consisted of 9 NRP cows which received intramuscular injection of sterile saline on day 15 postpartum. The second group consisted of 9 NRPN cows which received 100 micrograms of gonadotrophin releasing hormone on day 15 postpartum (NRPT). The third group consisted of 9 RP cows which received saline on day 15 postpartum (RPN) and the fourth group consisted of 9 RP cows which received 100 micrograms of gonadotrophin releasing hormone on day 15 postpartum (RPT). Blood samples were collected once daily during the first month and once every other day during the second month postpartum. In addition fourteen cows (RPT, n = 7; NRPT, n = 7), were used to study short-term changes in serum luteinizing hormone concentrations following gonadotrophin releasing hormone treatment on day 15 postpartum. Blood samples were obtained from these cows every 15 min during 1 h before and 6 h after gonadotrophin releasing hormone administration. Sera from all samples were assayed for progesterone and luteinizing hormone concentrations. Starting from four days after calving rectal palpations and ultrasound examinations of the ovaries were carried out once every four days until day 28 postpartum in order to monitor ovarian changes. All cows were inseminated on the first estrus after day 60 postpartum and examined for pregnancy between 35 and 42 days after insemination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

归芎益母散治疗奶牛血瘀型胎衣不下的扩大临床试验研究

在实验性临床研究基础上,进一步验证归芎益母散推荐有效剂量400 g/头治疗奶牛血瘀型胎衣不下的临床疗效。将纳入研究的193头血瘀型奶牛随机分为2组,其中药物对照组96头和归芎益母散组97头,以滞留胎衣排出为主要疗效评价指标,以受试奶牛产褥期子宫炎继发感染率和产后180 d内繁育性能为次要疗效评价指标,综合评价归芎益母散的临床效果。与阳性药物对照组比较,归芎益母散组中受试奶牛的首次给药72 h内滞留胎衣排出率提高(89.7%vs. 72.9%,P0.01),一次给药滞留胎衣排出率提高(70.7%vs. 50.0%,P=0.013),而给药次数减少(1.7±0.9 vs. 2.0±1.4,P0.05);产褥期子宫炎感染率降低(15.5%vs.24.0%,P0.01),同时可提高受试奶牛的繁育性能,包括产后首次配种时间提前(66.6±19.1 d vs. 78.7±25.6 d,P0.01),首次配种怀孕率提高(70.6%vs. 26.4%,P0.01),配种次数降低(1.8±1.3 vs.2.6±1.3,P0.01),产后180 d内总怀孕率提高(90.6%vs. 71.9%,P0.01),同时空怀时间缩短(87.3±42.7 d vs. 120.9±47.3 d,P0.01)。试验期间未发现药物相关不良反应。以归芎益母散推荐有效剂量(400 g/头)治疗奶牛血瘀型胎衣不下,可有效促进滞留胎衣排出,降低产褥期子宫炎的发生风险,并能有效改善患牛的繁育性能,临床疗效确切,安全性好。     

A hospital-based study of the relationship between retained placenta and mastitis in dairy cows

We investigated the relation between retained placenta and mastitis in Holstein dairy cows admitted to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. Cows with retained placenta were three times more likely to develop mastitis during hospitalization than animals without retained placenta. Since the hospital population was not representative of the general population, the possibility of a bias existed; a large bias was not likely because most distorting variables occurred equally in animals both with and without retained placenta. The literature suggests that the relationship between retained placenta and mastitis may be mediated through activity of the peripheral leukocytes. Further research is necessary to test this hypothesis.     

Periparturient insulin secretion and whole-body insulin responsiveness in dairy cows showing various forms of ketone pattern with or without puerperal metritis

To study the effect of time and different forms of hyperketonemia, with or without puerperal metritis, on insulin and glucose responses, 31 Holstein cows were subjected to glucose (GTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) between 18 and 22 d before, and on days 7 and 60-70 after calving. Plasma concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), nonesterified fatty acids, glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I and leptin were measured from 18 d before until 70 d after calving. The revised quick insulin sensitivity index (RQUICKI) was calculated at each time point. First postpartum (PP) ovulation was monitored by milk progesterone. Based on BHB patterns and clinical findings, animals were classified as 1) Normoketonemic (NK, n = 9); 2) Transiently hyperketonemic (tHK, n = 7); 3) Continuously HK (cHK, n = 7); and 4) Continuously HK, with signs of puerperal metritis (cHK + PM, n = 6). Insulin area under the curve (AUC) and insulin response to glucose were significantly lower in the early PP period than in late-pregnancy (P < 0.001), and on day 7 after calving in cHK and cHK + PM groups compared to NK and tHK groups (P < 0.001). On day 7, insulin stimulated a decrease in plasma glucose in cHK, cHK + PMthan NK, and tHK groups. Normoketonemic cows (group 1) ovulated earlier than all other groups (P = 0.002). There was no correlation between GTT and ITT variables and the RQUICKI. Time had a significant effect on RQUICKI. Long-term hyperketonemia, especially combined with puerperal metritis, interacts with secretion of insulin and whole-body IR, and results in a significant delay in PP ovarian activity in dairy cows.     

Long‐term impact of puerperal metritis on the profiles of peripheral blood leukocytes in peripartum dairy cows

To determine the effects of puerperal metritis on the immune response, changes in the differential peripheral blood leukocyte counts were analyzed during the peripartum period in cows with or without metritis. Multiparous Holstein cows were examined for uterine health disorders and classified into two groups: healthy (n = 11) or metritis (n = 5) cows. The lymphocyte and monocyte counts and the proportion of CD8⁺ lymphocytes were higher in cows with metritis compared to healthy cows. Moreover, the effects of puerperal metritis on the lymphocyte counts and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio persisted weeks after the uterine inflammation had self‐resolved. Taken together, the findings of the present study indicate the possible long‐term alterations of systemic immune responses in cows with puerperal uterine inflammation. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

Reduced concentrations of apolipoproteins B-100 and A-I in serum from cows with retained placenta.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate apolipoprotein B-100 and A-I concentrations in cows with retained placenta. Animals used were cows with retained placenta alone (n = 10), those with both retained placenta and ketosis (n = 7), and controls (n = 10). Apolipoprotein B-100 concentrations at 2 to 4 d after parturition were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased in cows with retained placenta alone (mean +/- SD, 0.084 +/- 0.029 mg/ML of serum) when compared with those in control cows (0.154 +/- 0.022 mg/mL). Apolipoprotein A-I concentrations (0.713 +/- 0.177 mg/ML) were also significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of controls (0.895 +/- 0.159 mg/mL). These decreases were more distinct for apolipoproteins B-100 (55% of controls) than A-I concentrations (80% of controls). Concentrations of apolipoprotein B-100 (0.071 +/- 0.032 mg/mL; P < 0.01) and A-I (0.708 +/- 0.189 mg/mL; P < 0.05) in the cows with both retained placenta and ketosis were also reduced, when compared with values in controls. Other than apolipoproteins, cows with retained placenta alone had significantly (P < 0.01) higher serum nonesterified fatty acids, and lower triglyceride concentrations. Significantly (P < 0.01) higher nonesterified fatty acids and lower triglyceride concentrations were similarly observed in cows with both retained placenta and ketosis.     

Risk factors for metritis in Danish dairy cows

A retrospective longitudinal study of metritis was conducted in Denmark on data collected during 1993-1994. Data on herd size, breed, parity, and treatment of disease were obtained from the Danish Cattle Database. Management and production-facility data were collected using a questionnaire, conducted as a telephone interview in 1994. The study included 2144 herds from three regions in Denmark (102,060 cows). Herd-level variables included were: herd size, housing, flooring, grazing, calving measures, and calving supervision. Cow-level variables were: parity, breed, calving season and whether the cow had been treated by a veterinarian for dystocia or the diseases: retained placenta, reproductive disease, ketosis, milk fever, or dry cow mastitis.Marginal multivariable logistic-regression analyses were performed. The cow with highest odds of metritis was a first or greater than or equal to third parity cow, of large breed, that calved during November-April, in a zero-grazing herd. The cow had been treated for dystocia, retained placenta, and at least one other reproductive disease, but not for ketosis.