Reproductive performance of cows with subclinical endometritis diagnosed by different cytological thresholds in the postpartum period

Summary

Objective: To determine the impact of cytologically determined endometritis (CE) diagnosed according to three different cytological thresholds in the 4th and 6th week postpartum (p. p.) on the subsequent reproductive performance in dairy cows. Material and methods: Dairy cows (n = 222) were clinically examined in the 4th week (Exam I) and in the 6th week (Exam II) p. p. and endometrium samples were collected for cytological examination using the cytobrush method. Three cytological thresholds (percent of polymorphonuclear leucocytes to epithelial cells) were used for categorization of cows: 1) > 18% at Exam I and > 10% at Exam II; 2) > 8% at Exams I and II; 3) > 5% at Exams I and II. The animals were categorized as endometritis positive (CE+) or negative (CE-) according to all cytological thresholds at Exams I and II. For all six experimental groups the following reproductive parameters were calculated: first insemination pregnancy rate, number of services per conception, intercalving period, and total pregnancy rate on day 300 p. p. Results: According to different thresholds prevalence of CE ranged from 48.0% to 65.9% at Exam I and from 26.0% to 34.7% at Exam II. The first insemination pregnancy rate was statistically lower in all CE positive groups at Exam I. Number of inseminations per conception was higher (p < 0.05) in each CE positive cows with exception of group CE+ at Exam II. Intercalving periods were longer in CE cows, and significant (p < 0.05) difference was found for groups ICE+ and ICE- at Exam I. Overall pregnancy rates were similar in cytologically determined endometritis and control cows. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Impaired fertility at herd level may concern only particular reproductive indices. It seems that each herd with subclinical endometritis needs to be evaluated and managed individually, according to the different housing, feeding, and environmental conditions. The first of three thresholds used to cytologically diagnose endometritis seems to be the most reliable when applied in the 4th week p. p.

Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel: Evaluierung der Auswirkung subklinischer Endometritiden (CE), diagnostiziert anhand von drei zytologi schen Grenzwerten, auf die Fruchtbarkeitsleistung von Kühen. Material und Methoden: Bei 222 Milchkühen erfolgte in der 4. (U1) und 6. Woche (U2) post partum (p. p.) eine klinische Untersuchung und mittels Cytobrush-Methode die Entnahme von Endometriumproben zur zytologischen Untersuchung. Zur Klassifizierung der Kühe dienten drei zytologische Grenzwerte (prozentualer Anteil polymorphkerniger neutrophiler Granulozyten): 1) > 18% zur U1 und > 10% zur U2; 2) > 8% zur U1 und U2; 3) > 3% zur U1 und U2. Basierend auf den zytologischen Grenzwerten zur U1 und U2 wurden die Kühe in Endometritis-positive (CE+) bzw. Endometritis-negative (CE-) Tiere eingeteilt. Für alle sechs Gruppen wurden folgende Fruchtbarkeitsindizes errechnet: Erstbesamungserfolg (EBE), Trächtigkeitsindex (TI), Zwischenkalbezeit (ZKZ) und Gesamtträchtigkeitsrate (GTR) am 300. Tag p. p. Ergebnisse: Abhängig von den Grenzwerten variierte das Auftreten von CE zwischen 48,0% und 65,9% zur U1 und zwischen 26,0% und 34,7% zur U2. Der EBE war in allen EC-positiven Gruppen zur U1 signifikant (p < 0,05) niedriger. Der TI lag bei den CE-positiven Kühen höher (p < 0,05) mit Ausnahme der Gruppe CE+ zur U2. Bei Kühen mit CE ergab sich eine längere ZKZ mit statistischer Signifikanz für die Gruppen CE+ und CE- zur U1. Die GTR war bei Kühen mit zytologisch diagnostizierter Endometritis und Kontrollkühen ähnlich. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Rele vanz: Die Verminderung der Fruchtbarkeit auf Herdenniveau kann nur bestimmte Fruchtbarkeitsindizes betreffen. Es scheint, dass jede Herde mit subklinischen Endometritiden entsprechend den verschiedenen Haltungs-, Fütterungs- und Umweltbedingungen individuell evaluiert und betreut werden muss. Der erste der drei Grenzwerte zur zytologischen Endometritisdiagnose schien bei Anwendung in der 4. Woche p. p. am zuverlässigsten zu sein.

Key words

Cytology - endometritis - cow - reproductive parameters

Schlüsselwörter

Zytologie - Endometritis - Kühe - Fruchtbarkeitsindizes

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