Risk Factors for Metritis and Its Effect on Productive and Reproductive Performance in Dairy Cattle and Buffaloes

Abstract

The present study evaluated the risk factors for metritis and effects of metritis on productive and reproductive performance in cattle (crossbred and Zebu) and buffaloes. Milk production and reproduction data of crossbred (n = 2549 lactations), Zebu (n = 1609 lactations), and Murrah buffaloes (n = 1604 lactations), spread over 12 years, were utilized for the study. Overall incidence of metritis was 22.56, 10.32, and 9.66 %, in crossbred cattle, Zebu cattle, and Murrah buffaloes, respectively. Estimated odds ratio (OR) for risk factors of metritis in crossbred cattle were dystocia (OR = 5.39), abortion (OR = 3.64), dead calf (OR = 4.10), retention of fetal membrane (RFM) (OR = 106.90), low calf BW (OR = 1.41), and shorter gestation length (OR = 4.12). In Zebu cattle, dystocia (OR = 3.15), abortion (OR = 2.98), dead calf (OR = 3.62), RFM (OR = 49.33), high calf BW (OR = 2.31), and shorter gestation length (OR = 2.81) were significant risk factors for metritis. Odds of metritis in buffaloes increased significantly (P < 0.05) after dystocia (OR = 6.12), abortion (OR = 11.87), dead calf (OR = 4.37), RFM (OR = 125.42), shorter gestation length (OR = 6.57), calving during summer (OR = 1.92), and lower calf BW (OR = 2.31). Metritis negatively affected milk production in cattle (P < 0.05) but not in buffaloes. Although, metritis had an inconsistent effect on days to first insemination, service period, and number of services/conception, calving interval was consistently extended in affected animals. The study identified abnormal calving, particularly RFM as potential risk factor for metritis which subsequently prolonged calving interval in both cattle and buffaloes. Milk production was negatively affected by metritis in cattle but not in buffaloes.