Abstract
The objectives of the present study were to validate transrectal ultrasonography (US) as a reliable diagnostic tool for endometritis, as well as to determine the efficiency of intrauterine infusion (IU) of benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α as a treatment protocol of endometritis in Holstein dairy cows. 260 Holstein cows were included in this study. The affected cows were examined rectally and US. The cows were divided according to the diagnostic method and treatment protocol into 3 groups. Group1: rectally diagnosed and received systemic PGF2α. Group2: rectally diagnosed and received IU benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α. Group3: US diagnosed and received IU benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α. Good reproductive indices were recorded for cows examined US and treated with combination of IU benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α. A highly significant positive correlations were observed between days in milking (DIM) and most of tested reproductive indices. Meanwhile, Daily milk yield was negatively correlated with all tested reproductive indices. In conclusion, trans-rectal US could be used as a reliable method for early diagnosis of endometritis. In addition, using a combination of IU application of benzathine cephapirin plus systemic PGF2α was superior treatment protocol in endometritis in comparison with PGF2α.
Highlights
A high level of reproductive efficiency requires each cow to be bred successfully, and calve with a calving interval that maximizes the milk output (Groenendaal et al, 2004)
The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the efficiency of IU infusion of benzathine cephapirin (Metricure®) plus IM administration of PGE2α (Estrumate®) as a treatment protocol of endometritis, to validate the use of transrectal US as a diagnostic tool for endometritis in dairy cows
Our results came in agreement with that reported by others (Földi et al, 2006; Palmer, 2008) who found that, diagnosis of clinical endometritis using rectal palpation is subjective, not effective and prone to error as it lacks standardization
Summary
A high level of reproductive efficiency requires each cow to be bred successfully, and calve with a calving interval that maximizes the milk output (Groenendaal et al, 2004). Clinical endometritis in dairy cows is defined as mucopurulent or purulent vulvar discharge 21 days or more after parturition, and not accompanied by systemic signs (Sheldon et al, 2006). Cows with subclinical endometritis do not have uterine discharge These diseases are highly prevalent in high producing dairy cows and have been associated with decreased reproductive performance, increased culling, economic losses, which affects herd profitability (Dubuc et al, 2010; 2011; Giuliodori et al, 2013; de Boer et al, 2014). Clinical endometritis affects about 20% of lactating dairy cows (Galvão et al, 2009; McDougall et al, 2007). Subclinical endometritis is the most prevalent of all uterine diseases; it affects ~ 30% of lactating dairy cows, with the prevalence ranging from 11 to >70%
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