Impact of endometritis on post-partum ovarian cyclicity in dairy cows

Mohammed, Z.A.; Mann, G.E.; Robinson, R.S.

Abstract

Endometritis in dairy cows is a major global issue and has been associated with a decrease in reproductive performance. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of endometritis (as defined by the presence of any abnormal vaginal discharge after 21 days post-partum) on post-partum ovarian cyclicity in dairy cows. Milk progesterone analysis was used to monitor reproductive cyclicity in 170 dairy cows across three different commercial herds. Associations between the occurrence of endometritis and the incidence risk of a variety of atypical cycle profiles during the calving to conception period were investigated to establish the importance of endometritis on post-partum ovarian activity.

Endometritis increased the incidence odds of atypical ovarian profiles (P [less than] 0.05) with prolonged luteal activity being the most affected (P [less than] 0.05), but also showed prolonged time (3 days) to onset of luteal activity after parturition (P [less than] 0.05). Using milk progesterone analysis, we found a relatively low incidence odds for reproductive cycle problems in healthy cows during the calving to conception period. However, the incidence odds of cycle problems, in particular prolonged luteal activity, were high in cows that had experienced endometritis, which would have significantly impaired reproductive function.

Citation

Mohammed, Z., Mann, G., & Robinson, R. (2019). Impact of endometritis on post-partum ovarian cyclicity in dairy cows. Veterinary Journal, 248, 8-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.03.008

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 25, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Mar 26, 2019
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Deposit Date: Apr 12, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 27, 2020
• Journal: The Veterinary Journal
• Print ISSN: 1090-0233
• Electronic ISSN: 1532-2971
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 248
• Pages: 8-13
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.03.008
• Keywords: Dairy cows; Endometritis; Milk progesterone; Ovarian cyclicity
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1782562
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S109002331830323X?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Impact of endometritis on post-partum ovarian cyclicity in dairy cows; Journal Title: The Veterinary Journal; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.03.008; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
• Contract Date: Apr 12, 2019