E-ISSN 2223-0343

Prevalence of subclinical endometritis in two dairy farms in Iran and consequences for further fertility

P Dini1, M Farhoodi2, G Akbari1, M Hostens3, O Bogado Pascottini3, O Ataei3, G Opsomer3and MH Fazeli4

1Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science And Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; 2Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Alborz, Iran; 3Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; 4Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e-kord Branch, Shahr-e-kord, Iran

 
Abstract

A high level of reproductive efficiency requires each cow to be bred successfully and calve with a calving interval that maximizes the output of milk within the herd. Subclinical endometritis (SCE) has been defined as the presence of an elevated number of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) within the uterine lumen, without any clinical signs. This condition is relatively prevalent in postpartum dairy cows and results in substantial economic losses due to decreases in fertility and on longer-term milk production. In literature, different prevalence numbers have been described for this postpartum condition, although it is currently not clear what the prevalence of this condition is in modern dairy herds in Iran. Therefore, Holstein cows (N=150) from 2 commercial dairy herds that had calved without any difficulty and had passed a normal puerperal period, were sampled at 30±3 days post partum by the low-volume uterine lavage method. Samples were centrifuged at 700 g for 5 minutes and one drop of sediment was subsequently streaked on a glass slide. Samples were stained with Diff-Quick so that present cells could be counted and percentages of PMNs calculated. In the present study, a threshold of 18% was used to diagnose the disease. Due to low sample quality, 42 cows were excluded from the study. Also 4 cows were culled before the end of the study. Mean prevalence of subclinical endometritis at day 30 was 38.5%, while in farm 1 this prevalence was 27% and in farm 2, 47%. Cows, in which SCE was diagnosed, showed an increase in calving to first service (73 vs. 66 days; P=0.097) and calving to conception interval (118 vs. 105 days; P=0.3 (positive vs. negative, respectively). In conclusion, the results of the current study show a high prevalence of uterine inflammation in clinically normal cows in two dairy herds in Iran. Negative impacts on fertility were demonstrated by the increase in the time to first service and the time to conception.

Keywords: Subclinical endometritis; uterine inflammation; dairy cow
 
To cite this article: Dini P, M Farhoodi, G Akbari, M Hostens, O Bogado Pascottini, O Ataei, G Opsomer and MH Fazeli, 2015. Prevalence of subclinical endometritis in two dairy farms in Iran and consequences for further fertility. Res. Opin. Anim. Vet. Sci., 5(3): 148-153.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Home  |  Archive  |  Instructions  |  Submission  |  Editorial Board  |  Sample Paper

All rights reserved © roavs.com