Risk factors associated with cytological endometritis diagnosed at artificial insemination in dairy cows
O Bogado Pascottini1, Miel Hostens1, P Sys2
1Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Insights
Multiparous dairy cows and those inseminated during warmer months face higher risks of cytological endometritis (CYTO) at artificial insemination (AI). Conversely, insemination at or after 124 days in milk (DIM) reduces CYTO risk.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Reproduction
- Dairy Science
Background:
- Cytological endometritis (CYTO) is a uterine condition affecting dairy cows.
- Diagnosing CYTO at artificial insemination (AI) is crucial for reproductive health.
- Understanding risk factors for CYTO is essential for improving herd fertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors associated with cytological endometritis (CYTO) in dairy cows diagnosed during artificial insemination (AI).
- To analyze the prevalence of CYTO across different herds and identify contributing factors.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of 1,625 AI-CYTO samples from 873 Holstein-Friesian cows across 18 dairy herds.
- Utilized the cytotape technique for endometrial cytology sample collection.
- Employed multilevel generalized mixed effect models to identify risk factors for CYTO.
Main Results:
- CYTO prevalence at AI was 27.8% at the animal level and 28.1% at the herd level.
- Risk factors for CYTO included parity ≥2 (OR=1.8) and insemination during warm months (July, August, September).
- Lower CYTO risk was observed at ≥124 days in milk (DIM) (OR=0.4).
Conclusions:
- Multiparous cows and those inseminated in summer months exhibit increased risk of CYTO at insemination.
- Insemination at or after 124 DIM is associated with a reduced risk of CYTO.
- These findings aid in developing targeted strategies to manage CYTO in dairy herds.
Abstract:
In this study, we aimed to determine risk factors associated with cytological endometritis (CYTO) diagnosed at artificial insemination (AI) in dairy cows. The CYTO risk factors were evaluated based on 1.625 AI-CYTO samples obtained from 873 Holstein-Friesian cows from in total 18 dairy herds in Flanders (Belgium). The endometrial cytology samples were obtained using the cytotape technique, which consisted of adapting a 1.5 cm piece of paper tape to a standardly loaded AI catheter, covered with a double guard sheet. The polymorphonuclear cells' (PMNs) cut-off point for CYTO at AI was set at ≥ 1%. We constructed multilevel generalized mixed effect models in order to identify the risk factors associated with the presence of CYTO at AI. The CYTO prevalence at AI was 27.8% at the animal level, while the within-herd level prevalence ranged from 10.7 to 39.7%, with an average of 28.1%. Risk factors associated with the occurrence of CYTO were parity ≥2 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.8], days in milk (DIM) at AI ≥ 124 (OR = 0.4), and warm months of the year [July (OR = 2.9), August (OR = 2.3), and September (OR = 1.4)]. In conclusion, the present study supports that multiparous cows and cows that are inseminated in the summer months have a higher risk to suffer from CYTO at insemination, while the risk for CYTO is lower when the insemination is taking place at ≥ 124 DIM.
