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Silver and Copper Nanoparticles as Non-Antibiotic Therapy for Postpartum Endometritis in Dairy Cows
Meysam Makki1, Seyed Mohammad Taha Mousavi Shoushtari2, Saad Gooraninejad1
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
Objectives:
Postpartum clinical endometritis reduces reproductive efficiency in dairy cows. Increasing antimicrobial resistance has created an urgent need for non-antibiotic therapeutic alternatives. This study evaluated the efficacy of intrauterine silver and copper nanoparticles compared with prostaglandin (PGF2α) and 50% dextrose in the treatment of clinical endometritis.
Methods:
A total of 210 cows were screened 30 ± 3 days postpartum, and 60 cows diagnosed with clinical endometritis were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: 50% dextrose (n = 15), PGF2α (n = 15), silver and copper nanoparticles (n = 15), and untreated controls (n = 15). Clinical and cytological evaluations were performed 14 days after treatment.
Results:
The clinical cure rates were 80% for both the dextrose and nanoparticle groups, 66.7% for the PGF2α group, and 46.7% for the control group. The mean percentage of neutrophils was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in cows treated with dextrose or nanoparticles compared with the control group. Reproductive indices, including the number of inseminations and days open, were improved in the treated groups.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that silver and copper nanoparticles exhibit therapeutic efficacy comparable to hypertonic dextrose and superior to prostaglandin in resolving postpartum clinical endometritis. The results support the potential use of metal nanoparticles as a non-antibiotic, residue-free alternative for improving uterine health and fertility in dairy herds.
