Associations of periparturient plasma biochemical parameters, endometrial leukocyte esterase and myeloperoxidase, and bacterial detection with clinical and subclinical endometritis in postpartum dairy cows

Abstract

This study was aimed at demonstrating associations between peripheral biochemical parameters, endometrial leukocyte esterase (LE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), and bacterial detection with the degree of endometrial inflammation, and determining the best time postpartum for diagnosing endometritis to predict subsequent fertility in dairy cows. Plasma albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total cholesterol (T-cho), NEFA, and BHBA concentrations were analyzed in 43 Holstein cows at 3, 5 and 7 weeks postpartum (W3, W5 and W7). Endometrial samples were collected at W3, W5 and W7 to examine LE and MPO activities, bacterial detection rates, and PMN% profiles. The 43 cows were divided into healthy (HE), subclinical endometritis (SE), and clinical endometritis (CE) groups, classified differently at W3, W5 and W7 based on the definitions of SE and CE for each of the three weeks pp. LE level had an association with PMN% in all weeks pp (P<0.05). Albumin and BUN levels had weak negative associations with endometrial PMN% at W3. Pathogenic bacterial detection rates were higher in the cows with endometritis at W3 and W5. Conception rate at first artificial insemination tended to be lower (P=0.057) in the cows diagnosed with endometritis at W3 than in the healthy cows. In conclusion, associations were found between endometrial LE and endometritis, but not for MPO and endometritis. Diagnosing endometritis in W3 may be the best moment to predict subsequent fertility.

Myeloperoxidase Inhibition Decreases the Expression of Collagen and Metallopeptidase in Mare Endometria under In Vitro Conditions

“…However, besides the antimicrobial properties of NETs components, they may also contribute to the development of some pathological conditions [ 15 ]. High concentrations of MPO in uterine lavage of mares was already related with endometritis [ 16 ], even though this was not demonstrated in cows with endometritis [ 17 ]. In our previous studies, we have also identified the involvement of NETs proteases in the establishment of endometrosis [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Effects of Intrauterine Infusion of a Chitosan Solution on Recovery and Subsequent Reproductive Performance of Early Postpartum Dairy Cows with Endometritis: A Pilot Field Trial

“…Endometrial samples were collected using a cytobrush (Metribrush; Fujihira Industry Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) as described previously [ 12 , 13 ] at W3 and W5. The vulva was washed, wiped using a paper towel, and the instrument was inserted through the vagina and cervix into the uterine cavity.…”

Predisposing factors, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of persistent endometritis in postpartum cows

“…It is important to be able to rapidly diagnose postpartum endometritis using validated cow-side techniques to improve reproductive performance at the herd level. Several research groups, including ours, have proposed the determination of leukocyte esterase (LE) activity, an enzyme produced by neutrophils, as a cow-side test for diagnosing postpartum SE [ 61 , 62 , 63 ]. Test strips can analyze LE activity in urine samples, uterine lavage fluid, or uterine cytobrush samples.…”

“…3. Associations of levels of leukocyte esterase (LE) (n = 43) with PMN% in endometrial samples from dairy cows (Reproduced with permission of the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science from Nazhat et al J Vet Med Sci 80: 302–310, 2018 [ 63 ]). Graphs A to C show the associations between LE levels and PMN% at W3 (A), W5 (B), and W7 (C).…”