Risk Factors and Impacts of Retained Placenta and Metritis in Dairy Cows

Abstract

Retained placenta (RP) is a condition associated with aspects of immune function during the prepartum period. Retained placenta has been shown to be a risk factor for uterine diseases and for reduced reproductive performance. Metritis is a condition causing systemic signs of illness (fever, anorexia, decreased milk production) characterized by a foul-smelling, brown-red watery vaginal discharge, occurring within the first 20 days-in-milk (DIM). Metritis has been associated with risk factors thought to contribute to greater uterine bacterial contamination, such as dystocia and RP. Conflicting data are reported on the impacts of RP and metritis on milk production, reproduction, and culling. In particular, many studies have considered RP and metritis in isolation, and have used only short-term outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate risk factors and impacts of RP and metritis in postpartum dairy cows.