Subclinical Endometritis in Dairy Cows: Related Risk Factors and Pre-partum Predictive Biomarkers

Abstract

The aim of this work was to monitor the role of some risk factors on the incidence of endometritis in the herd, in addition to investigating the ability to make early pre-partum forecasting for occurrence of endometritis. 110 Holstein Friesian cows aged from 3-5 years were enrolled in this study. Cytological examination using a cytobrush (CB) and Indian MAP rapid stain kit (Indian MAP scientific©) for counting of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) under microscope was used as the most accurate tool to discriminate between healthy cows and those affected with subclinical endometritis (SCE) at either 21 or 45 days postpartum (dpp). Serum analysis was used to measure the level of Albumin and Haptoglobin (Hp) in serum of dam at day 7 before parturition and at 21 and 45 dpp. Male calf and rainy season of parturition have a significant effect on the incidence of endometritis (P <0.05). According to our study results, the prevalence of CE (N=15) is 16.48%, whereas that of SCE (N=34) is 37.36%. Albumin (a negative acute-phase protein) level has been discovered to be a trustworthy predictor of sickness risk in transition period and fresh cows. The standard range of Albumin in cow’s serum is (2.8-3.9 g/dl). Albumin was markedly higher in healthy cows than diseased cows either prior to parturition or after 21 and 45 days in milk (DIM), The pre-partum Hp concentration between the SCE and healthy groups in this study was significantly different in a deceptive way. Hp concentration in the SCE group, however, was significantly different from the control group at 21 DIM (0.10±0.01 g/l vs. 0.05±0.002 g/l). So, Hp concentration is a satisfactory diagnostic, not a prognostic test.