Subclinical Endometritis in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Subclinical Endometritis (SCE) is a postpartum uterine disease that is characterized by inflammation of the uterus without any apparent clinical signs. This condition, despite lacking overt symptoms, has a significant impact on reproductive performance by decreasing pregnancy rates following the first insemination and prolonging the median days open. Risk factors for metritis include the metabolic status of the cow during the prepartum period and issues occurring at or after parturition, such as dystocia (difficult calving) and retained placenta. Elevated concentrations of haptoglobin during the postpartum period have been associated with metritis, cytological endometritis, and purulent vaginal discharge. Subclinical endometritis is a major contributor to the repeat breeder syndrome of bovine subfertility. Treatment of endometritis can cause the production of biofilm in the uterus. Biofilms inherently possess resistance to antibiotics as well as to cellular and humoral immune defenses. Treatment of subclinical endometritis is usually performed as clinical endometritis. Antibiotic infusion is a routine treatment method in dairy farms. But the use of alternative treatments such as hypertonic dextrose and hyperimmune serum mayhelp to improve treatment results. Management of pre- and postpartum periods of dairy cows is the best method for the control of subclinical endometritis.