Risk assessment of postpartum uterine disease and consequences of puerperal metritis for subsequent metabolic status, reproduction and milk yield in dairy cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine some metabolic and other factors predicting the risk of postpartum uterine disease (PUD), and the effects of puerperal metritis (PM) on metabolic status, reproduction and milk yield were analysed. A total of 105 Holstein-Friesian cows were included, and sampled on day < −14 prepartum and days 4, 10–14, 28–35 and 56–63 postpartum for metabolic tests. From day 4 the development of PUD, and from days 28–35 the ovarian activity was monitored. When grade ≥ 1 + ketonuria was present on day 4 postpartum, this indicated a higher probability of PUD [odds ratio (OR) 2.64; P < 0.05] including PM occurring on days 10–14 (OR: 2.65; P < 0.05). Plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations > 0.200 mmol/l on days < −14 prepartum indicated a higher risk of uterine diseases (OR: 3.44; P < 0.05). The odds of PUD increased, depending on whether a body condition score (BCS) loss of ≥ 1.0 occurred between days < −14 and 28–35 (OR: 2.82; P < 0.05), between days < −14 and 10–14 (OR: 4.79; P < 0.01) or between days 10–14 and 28–35 (OR: 10.81; P < 0.01). PM was more probable (OR: 27.3; P < 0.001) in cows with retained placenta. The risk of uterine diseases was lower in multiparous than in primiparous cows (OR: 0.29; P < 0.01). PM increased the risk of ovarian inactivity between days 28 and 35 (OR: 2.83; P < 0.05). Cows affected with PM (PM+ cows) showed lower milk production on day 4 (kg; P < 0.05) and lower milk production (P < 0.05), milk fat and milk protein production (kg; P < 0.01; P < 0.01) in the first 100 days of lactation than did PM− cows.

Prevalence and therapeutic measures of postpartum uterine diseases in achai cattle at livestock research & development station Surezai, Peshawar

“…Data revealed that the incidence of retained placenta was 06 percent which is low as compared to other breeds of cattle whereas Bellows et al 16 reported an 8% occurrence of Retained placental membranes in normal parturition which shows superior inherited factors in Achai cows. Goshen and Shpigel, 17 and Konyves et al 18 have reported that retained placenta causes more than 50 % of the endometritis which also supports the results of the current study that the relation of Retained placenta (RP) with Endometritis which is also 50%. Ahmed et al 9 demonstrated that cows with RP have a higher chance of contracting uterine infections and the probable reason was that RP act as a good media for bacterial multiplication.…”

Reproductive performance of dairy cows resynchronized after pregnancy diagnosis at 31 (±3 days) after artificial insemination (AI) compared with resynchronization at 31 (±3 days) after AI with pregnancy diagnosis at 38 (±3 days) after AI

“…Previous research has shown that cows with a history of dystocia have close to 2 times greater odds of having a retained placenta, which increases the occurrence of postpartum diseases and subsequently decreases reproductive performance in dairy herds (Han and Kim, 2005). Konyves et al (2009), when studying postpartum uterine disease in dairy cows on subsequent reproduction, observed that cows with a history of retained placenta had 27 times greater odds of developing metritis. Uterine infections such as metritis contribute to reduced fertility by various means.…”

Recent Possibilities for Diagnosis and Treatment of Post Parturient Uterine Diseases in Dairy Cow

“…Several factors like genetic, nutritional, immunological and pathological ones may influence the separation of bovine placenta; however its aetiology is still not fully understood. As retained placenta predisposes the development of uterine infections (clinical metritis, as well as clinical and subclinical endometritis) [43], and causing a decrease in milk production (decreased milk yield, milk from treated cows withheld) [4,44] and reproductive performance (increases in days open, services per conception, calving to first heat interval, days from calving to first service and culling rate) [45] therefore the aim of its therapy is to prevent its adverse side effects.…”

“…The aim of the treatment for retained placenta is to reduce the occurrence of puerperal metritis and subsequently clinical and subclinical endometritis, to decrease milk losses, to reduce reproductive inefficiency, and to decrease veterinary expenses [9,44].…”