Immune Responses during the Peripartum Period in Dairy Cows with Postpartum Endometritis

Abstract

Abstract. Determining the immune responses to the development of endometritis during the peripartum period may assist in the development of more efficient reproductive management regimens for dairy herds. In this study, we compared the peripartum immune responses of dairy cows that develop endometritis by 4 weeks postpartum (n=11) to cows that did not develop this disease (n=19). Blood samples were collected 1 week before calving, just after or during calving, and then at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 postpartum. Cows that developed endometriris had significantly higher total leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts than the control cows (P<0.05) at all time points. The leukocytes from cows that developed endometritis were significantly less phagocytic than those from control cows at all sampling time points (P<0.01). The serum TNFα concentrations of the control cows decreased linearly from the prepartum time point (P=0.0029), but the endometritis cows showed a different profile (P>0.05). As a result, the serum TNFα concentrations were greater in the endometritis group (P<0.01) than in the control group during the third and fourth weeks postpartum. The greater total leukocyte numbers and neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts, and the maintenance of elevated serum TNFα levels in the cows with endometritis may be due to infection in the postpartum period. Furthermore, the decreased phagocytic capacity of leukocytes during the peripartum period, including at the prepartum time point, makes cows more susceptible to postpartum endometritis.

Dynamics of bacteriologic and cytologic changes in the uterus of postpartum dairy cows

“…This increase in the proportion of PMN around parturition is mediated by a prepartum rise in cortisol concentrations and other hormones [42]. In the first 2 weeks after calving, the number of PMN decreases in peripheral blood because of the migration of peripheral blood PMN into the uterine lumen or mammary gland [39,43,44]. This increase of PMN in the endometrial tissue was partly confirmed in our study.…”

Biomarkers of ketosis in dairy cows at postparturient period: acute phase proteins and pro-inflammatory cytokines

“…In addition, the significant increase of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-Hydroxybutyrate BHBA in the serum of ketotic cows in the postparturient period confirmed the observed clinical findings. Although many studies (KEHRLI et al, 1989;GILBERT et al, 1993;MALLARD et al, 1998;KIM et al, 2005) have reported the role of the reduced functioning of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the postparturient period and the subsequent high susceptibility to infectious disease, data regarding their association with ketosis have not been completely elucidated. Therefore, the current study suggests proinflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers of ketosis in this period.…”

Subcutaneous Immunization with Inactivated Bacterial Components and Purified Protein of Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium necrophorum and Trueperella pyogenes Prevents Puerperal Metritis in Holstein Dairy Cows

“…It is possible that immunizing the cows against LKT might have reduced the detrimental effect of this toxin on intrauterine PMNs, improving the ability of the innate immune system to eliminate bacterial infections from the uterus through phagocytosis. Recruited PMNs are key players in the immune defense of the uterus; reduced migration of PMNs 2 weeks before calving is associated with retained placenta [46], and lower phagocytic activity and oxidative burst capacity of PMNs are associated with occurrence of metritis and endometritis [43], [45].…”