Risk factors for postpartum uterine diseases in dairy cows

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Ruminant Health
• Bovine Reproduction

Background:

• Metritis, purulent vaginal discharge, and cytological endometritis are common uterine diseases in dairy cows.
• These conditions can negatively impact reproductive performance and animal welfare.
• Identifying specific risk factors is crucial for effective disease prevention and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the risk factors associated with metritis, purulent vaginal discharge, and cytological endometritis in Holstein cows.
• To test the hypothesis that purulent vaginal discharge and cytological endometritis have different risk factors, indicating distinct disease manifestations.
• To provide data supporting targeted interventions for uterine health in dairy herds.

Main Methods:

• An observational study involving 1,363 Holstein cows across 3 herds.
• Data collection included calving history, periparturient diseases, body condition scores, and serum metabolite concentrations (nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyric acid, haptoglobin, progesterone).
• Metritis diagnosed within 20 days in milk (DIM); purulent vaginal discharge and cytological endometritis assessed at 35 ± 3 DIM using standardized definitions and devices. Multivariable logistic regression was used for analysis.

Main Results:

• Risk factors for metritis: increased prepartum nonesterified fatty acids, dystocia, retained placenta, and elevated postpartum haptoglobin.
• Risk factors for purulent vaginal discharge: twinning, dystocia, metritis, and elevated postpartum haptoglobin.
• Risk factors for cytological endometritis: low calving body condition score, hyperketonemia, and elevated postpartum haptoglobin.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms that purulent vaginal discharge and cytological endometritis have distinct risk factor profiles, supporting their classification as separate uterine disease manifestations.
• Elevated postpartum haptoglobin was a common risk factor across all three conditions, highlighting its role as a general indicator of inflammation or stress.
• Findings provide a basis for developing targeted management strategies to mitigate specific uterine diseases in dairy cattle.