Comparison of ultrasonography and histopathology for the diagnosis of endometritis in Holstein-Friesian cows

Abstract

Reproductive diseases are a great barrier to dairy production, as they diminish fertility and cause economic loss. In this context, endometritis plays an important role. Different diagnostic techniques exist for endometritis that vary in sensitivity and specificity. This work aimed to evaluate and compare ultrasonographic and histopathological examinations, and combinations thereof, for the diagnosis of endometritis by determining their sensitivity, specificity, and kappa agreement coefficients using endometrial cytology as the gold standard. We developed an adaptive reading score to perform histological examination of the uterus. In this study, 76 Holstein-Friesian cows, 21 to 47 d postpartum, without vaginal catarrh were submitted to gynecological examinations, including ultrasonographic examination, an endometrial cytology examination, and a uterine biopsy. Our results indicate that ultrasonography is a practical and effective diagnostic method, and a combination of the determination of intrauterine fluid and cervical diameter was the most efficient ultrasonographic method, with 50% sensitivity and 88% specificity. Histopathological examination was a useful diagnostic method that provided rich detail on endometrial inflammation, and allowed evaluation of different components of the tissue such as the epithelium, lamina propria, endometrial glands, and blood vessels; this method had 44% sensitivity and 92% specificity for diagnosis of endometritis.

63 Effect of Endometrial Biopsy on Uterine Health of Tropically Adapted Beef Cattle

“…It is estimated that endometrial tissue is recovered by biopsy in cattle in 60-85% of the total attempts (Singh et al, 1983, Bonnett et al, 1991b, Mann and Lamming, 1994, Meira et al, 2012.…”

“…This procedure allows the morphological diagnosis of endometrial lesions by histopathology (Chapwanya et al, 2009, Meira et al, 2012, the expression of inflammatory genes during the oestrous cycle or postpartum , Galvao et al, 2011 and the detection of biomarkers and pathways responsible for endometrial receptivity and pregnancy success by means of molecular techniques (Salilew-Wondim et al, 2010, Salilew-Wondim et al, 2012. To ensure successful pregnancy outcomes from AI and ET technologies, assuring high heifer fertility is optimal is crucial for a successful breeding season.…”

Current Status, Emerging Technologies, and Trends in Veterinary Ultrasonography Applied to Cattle Reproduction

“…The outcome of fetal death in late pregnancy may be fetal mummification or maceration and, in these cases, hyperechoic bone structures will be clearly visible on the sonographic image. Sonographic diagnosis of uterine infections relies on the visualization of accumulated hypoechoic contents within the uterine lumen (Meira et al, 2012). The echogenic appearance of such contents will vary according to the infection severity and amount of cell debris and pus in the uterine mucus.…”

Effect of endometrial biopsy on uterine health in tropically adapted beef cattle

“…In the 70's Ricketts (1975) described the use of a 40-cm long Yeomanns' basket punch device or 60-cm long Jackson forceps in the diagnosis of endometrial diseases in mares. Most of the studies in cattle have used these devices long (40-60 cm) rigid or semi-flexible teeth or punch jaw-forceps designed for mares (Bonnett et al, 1991b, Chapwanya et al, 2010, Meira et al, 2012. The size and amount of tissue recovered varied with the cutting tip area.…”

“…In cattle, the assessment of uterine tissue is considered the most accurate method to diagnose uterine health (Meira et al, 2012), however, studies in postpartum cattle failed to positively correlate biopsy scores and future fertility (Studer andMorrow, 1978, Madoz et al, 2014). Nevertheless, EB is seen as the most informative approach for assessment of cattle uterine health and function.…”