Comparison between intrauterine application of an antibiotic and an herbal product to treat clinical endometritis in dairy cattle - A randomized multicentre field study.

Uterine diseases are main indications for antibiotic use in dairy cows. To test a non-antibiotic treatment option, we compared the effect of an intrauterine cephapirin (Metricure®; cefapirin benzathin 500 mg per dosis; CEPH) with an intrauterine applied herbal product (25 ml of EucaComp® PlantaVet containing alcoholic extracts of Calendula officinalis L., Mellissa officinalis L., Origanum majorana L. and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (EUC)) on the clinical cure of endometritis. Examinations of 816 cows between 21 and 35 days after calving were performed and cases of clinical endometritis (n = 169) were included. Diagnosis based on a scoring system for vaginal discharge. Study animals were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups and treated immediately. After excluding animals with incomplete datasets, 136 cows (EUC: n = 61; CEPH: n = 75) remained for the final analysis. In total, 64% (EUC: 61%, CEPH: 67%) of analysed endometritis cases were considered as clinically cured 14 ± 2 days after the first treatment, 15% stayed uncured after the application of a maximum of two consecutive treatments, leading to an overall clinical cure rate of 85% (EUC: 82%, CEPH: 88%). No statistically difference in clinical cure rates could be observed between both treatment groups nor 14 ± 2 days after the first treatment (p = 0.956) neither regarding the overall cure rate (p = 0.923). In conclusion, the clinical cure of dairy cows' endometritis after the intrauterine application of the herbal product was non-inferior to the intrauterine application of the antibiotic cephapirin. These results could contribute to reduce the antimicrobial use in the daily veterinary routine treatment of endometritis.

Supplementation of rumen-protected lysine during the close-up period improves vaginal discharge clearance in Holstein dairy cows.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of rumen-protected lysine (RPL) supplementation during the close-up period on uterine involution and the resumption of ovarian function in dairy cows. Fifty-two multiparous Holstein cows were categorized based on parity and expected calving date and randomly assigned to the RPL or control (CON) groups. The RPL group received 80 g of RPL daily from day 21 before the expected calving date until parturition. Blood samples were obtained twice weekly from pre-supplementation to 6 weeks postpartum. The onset of luteal activity postpartum was determined via ultrasonography twice weekly for up to 6 weeks postpartum. Uterine involution was tracked at 3 and 5 weeks postpartum through the vaginal discharge score, percentage of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in endometrial cytology samples, presence of intrauterine fluid, and gravid horn diameter via ultrasonography. Before supplementation, the RPL group showed amino acid imbalance, which was improved by RPL supplementation. There were no significant differences in the onset of luteal activity, percentage of PMN, intrauterine fluid, or the diameter of the uterine horn between the two groups. The vaginal discharge score in the RPL group decreased from 3 to 5 weeks postpartum, whereas that in the CON groups did not decrease. The number of cows with clinical endometritis was lower in the RPL group. Overall, RPL supplementation during the close-up period enhanced vaginal discharge clearance, potentially averting clinical endometritis, but did not affect the first ovulation in dairy cows.

The effect and mechanism of selenium supplementation on the proliferation capacity of bovine endometrial epithelial cells exposed to lipopolysaccharide in vitro under high cortisol background.

Bovine endometritis severely inhibits uterine repair and causes considerable economic loss. Besides, parturition-induced high cortisol levels inhibit immune function, reduce cell proliferation, and further inhibit tissue repair. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for animals to maintain normal physiological function and has powerful antioxidant functions. This study investigated whether Se supplementation reduces endometrial damage and promotes tissue repair in cows with endometritis under stress and explored the underlying mechanism. Primary bovine endometrial epithelial cells were isolated and purified from healthy cows. The cells were treated with different combinations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cortisol, and various concentrations of Se. Data showed that LPS stimulation inhibited cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis. High levels of cortisol further exacerbated these effects. Flow cytometry, scratch wound healing tests, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) proliferation assays showed that Se supplementation promoted cell cycle progression, cell migration, and cell proliferation in the presence of LPS and cortisol. The quantitative PCR results showed that the expression of related growth factors was increased after Se supplementation. After administering various inhibitors, we further demonstrated that Se supplementation decreased the activity of glycogen synthetase kinase 3ß (GSK-3ß) through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway to reduce the degradation of ß-catenin except the Wnt signal to promote cell proliferation. In conclusion, Se supplementation attenuated the cell damage induced by LPS at high cortisol levels and increased cell proliferation to promote uterine repair by elevating the mRNA expression of TGFB3 and VEGFA and activating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3ß/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

After parturition, endometritis is a common bovine disease, which hinders endometrial repair and reduces bovine economic value. Besides, parturition-induced high cortisol levels cause immunosuppression, aggravate infection, and further inhibit cell proliferation and tissue repair. As an essential trace element, adding selenium to feed helps to maintain the normal physiological function of animals. This study developed a cellular model using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cortisol to simulate cows with endometritis in stress conditions. The results showed that Se supplementation attenuated bovine endometrial epithelial cell damage and promoted their proliferation in the presence of LPS and high cortisol levels, which are positively correlated with the concentration of Se. Besides, this study proved another molecular mechanism for Se to regulate ß-catenin except for the Wnt signal by affecting the ß-catenin degradation pathway.

Randomised Controlled Trial on Prophylaxis of Mastitis-Metritis-Agalactia Syndrome in Swine using Caulophyllum Logoplex and Lachesis Logoplex.

BACKGROUND: Mastitis-metritis-agalactia (MMA) syndrome occurs in the first days post-partum and causes piglet losses mainly due to malnutrition. One possibility for prophylaxis of MMA is via homeopathy. In this veterinary study, the effectiveness of a prophylactic administration of homeopathic remedies for the prevention of the occurrence of MMA in swine was evaluated. METHODS: In a randomised and blinded study, 60 sows were examined. Sows were randomly distributed in two groups: the experimental group (CL/LL) received a prophylactic administration of the complex homeopathic remedies Caulophyllum Logoplex and Lachesis Logoplex, and the placebo group was administered a sodium chloride (NaCl) solution in the same injection scheme as the experimental group. Clinical signs of MMA, behavioural changes, as well as production parameters, were recorded beginning with the day of farrowing until 5 days post-partum. RESULTS: The treatment group showed no significant effect on the occurrence of MMA in sows (CL/LL: 56.67% MMA positive sows; NaCl: 53.53% MMA positive sows). Treatment group had also no significant effect on health parameters (vaginal discharge, raised rectal temperature, shortage of milk) or behavioural parameters (impaired feeding behaviour and impaired general condition). For the production parameter average weight gain, statistically significant effects in the treatment group were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylaxis with the homeopathic remedies Caulophyllum Logoplex and Lachesis Logoplex showed neither an improvement in MMA prevention nor an improvement in health parameters or behavioural traits in the present herd of sows.

Effectiveness of Ozone Therapy in The Treatment of Endometritis in Mares.

Endometritis is defined as inflammation of the endometrium that may be acute or chronic, infectious, or non-infectious. Endometritis is an important cause of subfertility in mares. Considering the antimicrobial characteristics, immune-stimulating ability, and low cost of ozone (O3) therapy, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intrauterine O3 therapy as an alternative treatment for endometritis in mares. Twenty-five mares with a known reproductive history of uterine infection and inflammation were allocated into three groups: Group 1 (control; n = 7), uterine lavage with Ringer's lactate solution; Group 2 (O3-gas; n = 9), uterine lavage with Ringer's lactate solution followed by uterine insufflation with O2-O3 gas mixture containing 40 µg O3 mL-1 for 10 minute; and Group 3 (O3-oil; n = 9), uterine infusion of ozonized sunflower oil. Uterine inflammation was evaluated through a uterine cytological examination (cytobrush) and uterine culture (swab) for microbiological content before and after all treatments. In assessments of uterine cytology, the average number of neutrophils/field changed from 9.14 ± 3.02 to 7.71 ± 3.59 in the control group, from 10.67 ± 3.84 to 2.89 ± 3.59 in the O3-gas group, and from 6.44 ± 2.79 to 6.55 ± 7.18 in the O3-oil group post-treatment. The pre- and post-treatment findings in the mares treated with ozonized gas were significantly different (P < .05), unlike the findings for the mares in the control and O3-oil groups. All mares (25/25) showed a positive uterine culture before treatment. After treatment, the percentage of mares showing positive culture results was 57%, 11%, and 22% in the control, O3-gas, and O3-oil groups, respectively. Our results showed the effectiveness of two groups (O2-O3 gas mixture and ozonized sunflower oil) for the treatment of uterine infections in mares. Thus, direct intrauterine O3 gas infusion has been shown to be effective in treating endometritis in mares, reducing both inflammation and uterine infection.

Effect of oral calcium administration on metabolic status and uterine health of dairy cows with reduced postpartum rumination and eating time.

BACKGROUND: Hypocalcemia has detrimental effects on health and performance of dairy cows. As hypocalcemic cows show reduced feed intake, we hypothesized that cows with reduced combined rumination and eating time (CRET) may benefit from Ca supplementation. The objective was to evaluate the effect of postpartum oral Ca administration on metabolic status (Calcium [Ca], fatty acids [FA], and ß-Hydroxybutyrate [BHB] serum concentrations) and incidence of puerperal metritis (PM) in dairy cows with reduced postpartum CRET. Cows in an organic-certified dairy, diagnosed with reduced CRET (< 489 min/d; n = 88) during the first day postpartum were assigned into 1 of 2 treatments: i) Calcium administration (CA; n = 45) that received 1 Ca oral capsule (Bovikalc bolus, Boehringer Ingelheim, St. Joseph, MO) containing CaCl2 and CaSO4 (43 g of Ca) once per day, for 3 consecutive days, starting at d 1 postpartum; and ii) Control (CON; n = 43) that did not receive oral Ca. A convenience group consisting of cows with CRET ≥489 min/d was used for comparison and did not receive oral Ca (NOR; n = 96). RESULTS: At day 1 postpartum cows with reduced CRET had lower Ca serum concentrations (CA = 2.08 mmol/L; CON = 2.06 mmol/L) compared with NOR cows (2.17 mmol/L). Calcium concentrations at d 3, 5, and 12 postpartum were not different among the three groups. Serum FA concentrations at d 1, 3 and 5 postpartum were higher in both CA and CON cows compared with NOR. At d 12, only CA cows had higher FA concentrations than NOR cows. Serum BHB concentrations at d 3 were highest in CA, with no difference between CON and NOR. At d 5, BHB concentrations were higher in CA, followed by CON, and NOR. No effect was observed for Ca administration on incidence of PM and reproductive performance. CON cows had lower survival at 30 DIM (86.5%) than NOR cows (97.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of remote sensor technology identified cows with reduced rumination and eating time that had lower postpartum serum concentrations of calcium and altered metabolic status. However, oral calcium administration to cows with reduced CRET did not affect incidence of metabolic disorders nor reproductive health and subsequent pregnancy. Although survival at 30 days postpartum was lower for non-Ca supplemented cows, the identification of effective interventions in cows with reduced CRET requires further consideration.

Comparative biochemical profiles, utero-ovarian function, and fertility of the postpartum buffalo with and without subclinical endometritis.

In postpartum buffaloes, the process of uterine involution and changes in blood metabolic profile has not been studied in relation to development of subclinical endometritis (SCE). In this study, buffaloes (n = 100) approaching calving were identified. Weekly blood samples were collected on the day of calving up to 6 weeks post-calving. The diameter of uterine horns and onset of ovarian cyclicity (corpus luteum) were recorded through ultrasonography. On the basis of polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) cell count in endometrial cytology at days 45-50 postpartum, buffaloes were divided into two groups, viz., with SCE (> 5% PMN; n = 38) and without SCE (≤ 5% PMN; n = 62). Buffaloes with SCE took longer (P < 0.05) time to complete uterine involution and had larger (P < 0.05) uterine horn diameter between 3rd and 6th weeks postpartum and lower prostaglandin F2α metabolite (PGFM) concentration on the day of calving (P < 0.05) and 1 week (P < 0.001) post-calving than without SCE group. Buffaloes with SCE had lower (P < 0.001) concentration of glucose at weeks 2 and 3, higher (P < 0.001) ß-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) at week 3, and lower serum albumin concentration throughout the sampling period (P < 0.05 to 0.001) except at 1 week post-calving as compared to without SCE group. The urea concentration was significantly lower (P < 0.05 to 0.001) in buffaloes with SCE from 4 weeks post-calving onwards than without SCE group. The calcium concentration was lower in buffaloes with SCE at weeks 5 (P < 0.001) and 6 (P < 0.05) postpartum, whereas the concentration of magnesium and phosphorus was uniform between the two groups. No significant (P > 0.05) difference in onset of ovarian cyclicity between the 2 groups was observed, whereas buffaloes with SCE had longer (P = 0.001) median days open (141 days) than their counterpart (117 days). The first service conception rate, cumulative pregnancy rate, and pregnancy rate at 150 days postpartum were lower (P < 0.05) in buffaloes with SCE than without SCE group. In summary, higher BHBA and lower serum concentrations of glucose, albumin, urea, and calcium control onset of subclinical endometritis which in turn has negative impact on fertility of buffaloes.

Acute endometritis induced by Escherichia coli in mares evaluated through color doppler ultrasonography / [Endometrite aguda induzida por Escherichia coli em éguas avaliadas por ultrassonografia com Doppler colorido]

The objectives of this study were to characterize the endometritis induced in mares using color Doppler ultrasonography and traditional exams. Experiment 1. Mares (n=20) were submitted to intrauterine inoculation with Escherichia coli. Uterine evaluation was performed at M0 and M1. Experiment 2. Animals were divided into two groups: control group (n=10), and treated group (n=10) using phytotherapeutic solution. In both groups, the uterine evaluation was performed at time T1, T2, and T3. Experiment 3: Uterine evaluation was compared after antibiotic therapy, phytotherapy, and M0. For statistical analysis, the Tukey test, t Student, and Anova test were applied. Experiment 1. The mean values of vascularization at M1 were significantly higher than those obtained at M0 (P<0.05). Bacterial growth was observed in all samples collected. Experiment 2. The mean value of vascularization at time T1 in both groups was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to M2 and M3. Experiment 3. After antibiotic therapy, the vascularization of the body and uterine horns was not equivalent to the vascularization presented at M0. We can conclude that it was not possible to correlate results obtained by color Doppler ultrasonography with the traditional findings for the diagnosis of endometritis.(AU)

Os objetivos deste estudo foram caracterizar a endometrite induzida em éguas utilizando-se a ultrassonografia com Doppler colorido e exames tradicionais. Experimento 1: as éguas (n=20) foram submetidas à inoculação intrauterina com Escherichia coli. A avaliação uterina foi realizada em M0 e M1. Experimento 2: os animais foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo controle (n=10) e grupo tratado (n=10), sendo usada solução fitoterápica. Nos dois grupos, a avaliação uterina ocorreu nos momentos T1, T2 e T3. Experimento 3: a avaliação uterina foi comparada após antibioticoterapia, fitoterapia e M0. Para análise estatística, foram aplicados os testes de Tukey, t de Student e ANOVA. Experimento 1: os valores médios de vascularização em M1 foram significativamente maiores que os obtidos no M0 (P<0,05). Houve crescimento bacteriano em todas as amostras coletadas. Experimento 2: o valor médio da vascularização no tempo T1 nos dois grupos foi significativamente maior (P<0,05) do que o obtido em M2 e M3. Experimento 3: após antibioticoterapia, a vascularização do corpo e dos cornos uterinos não era equivalente à vascularização apresentada em M0. Pode-se concluir que não foi possível correlacionar os resultados obtidos pela ultrassonografia com Doppler colorido com os achados tradicionais para o diagnóstico de endometrite.(AU)

Intrauterine therapy with ozone reduces subclinical endometritis and improves reproductive performance in postpartum dairy cows managed in pasture-based systems.

New postpartum strategies have been developed in dairy cows to ameliorate uterine health and reproductive performance, especially the first service conception rates. This study aimed to assess the effect of intrauterine therapy with ozone (IUTO) in early postpartum on subclinical endometritis prevalence and reproductive parameters in dairy cows under commercial farm conditions. For this purpose, eighty clinically healthy cows with a body condition score between 3.0 and 3.5, from four dairy farms, were randomly allocated into two groups: ozone therapy group (OG, n = 40), which were subjected to IUTO, and control group (CG, n = 40). Content of uterine polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and subclinical endometritis (SE) percentage were assessed at 35 days after calving by uterine cytology. A second cytology was performed 72 h after IUTO. Reproductive parameters such as interval calving to first service (IFS), number of services per conception (nSC), interval calving to conception (ICC) and first service conception rate (FSCR) were analysed. The second endometrial cytology demonstrated that IUTO reduced (P < 0.01) both PMN (3.7 ± 1.4 vs. 7.6 ± 1.1%) and SE (5.0 vs. 50.0%) percentages compared with CG. Likewise, after ozone treatment, both nSC (2.1 ± 0.3 vs. 3.1 ± 0.2; P < 0.01) and ICC (126.2 ± 9.7 vs. 149.0 ± 9.0; P = 0.0672) decreased, and FSCR increased (50.0 vs. 16.2%; P < 0.01) compared with CG. In conclusion, intrauterine ozone therapy applied at 35 days after calving reduced subclinical endometritis prevalence and improved reproductive performance in postpartum dairy cows managed in a pasture-based system.

Associations of reproductive indices with fertility outcomes, milk yield, and survival in Holstein cows.

The study is part of a research effort investigating potential associations between genomic variation and fertility of Holstein cows. The objective was to compare the reproductive performance of Holstein cows in 3 categories of 2 reproductive indices (RI) that were developed for the allocation of cows in a ranking for potential fertility, based on the predicted probability of pregnancy. The associations between categories of the developed indices and multiple fertility variables in a large multistate population of Holstein cows were tested. In addition, we analyzed associations among the RI categories with milk yield and survival. Based on phenotypic information from individual cows, 2 reproductive indices (RI1 and RI2) were developed, representing a predicted probability that a cow will become pregnant at first artificial insemination postpartum, as a function of explanatory variables used in a logistic model. Data from a total of 11,733 cows calving in 16 farms located in 4 regions of the United States (Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest) were available. Cows were enrolled at parturition and monitored weekly for reproductive events, health status, milk yield, and survival. To develop the indices, potential significant effects were initially tested by univariate analyses. Effects with P ≤ 0.05 were offered to the multivariate analysis, and the final models were determined through backward elimination, considering potentially significant interactions. The final model for RI1 included the random effect of farm and a complement of significant fixed effects as explanatory variables influencing a pregnancy outcome: (1) incidence of retained fetal membranes; (2) metritis; (3) clinical endometritis; (4) lameness at 35 days in milk (DIM); (5) resumption of postpartum ovulation by 50 DIM; (6) season of calving; and (7) parity number. The model for RI2 included (1) parity number; (2) body condition score at 40 DIM; (3) incidence of retained fetal membranes; (4) metritis; (5) resumption of postpartum ovulation by 50 DIM; (6) region; (7) subclinical ketosis; (8) mastitis; (9) clinical endometritis; and (10) milk yield at the first milk test after calving; as well as the interaction effects of postpartum resumption of ovulation by 50 DIM × region; mastitis × region; and milk yield at the first milk test after calving × parity number. Multivariate logistic regression, ANOVA, and survival analysis were used to test the correspondence between the resulting RI and individual fertility, milk yield, and survival from the population. To facilitate the analyses, the resulting RI values were categorized as low for cows in the lowest quartile, medium for cows within the interquartile range, or high for cows in the top quartile. We found consistent agreement between categories of the predicted RI and the measures of fertility and survival collected from individual cows. We conclude that the proposed RI represent a viable approach to refine the allocation of cows into potential low- and high-fertility populations.

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils against pathogens often related to cattle endometritis.

INTRODUCTION: Endometritis is a condition marked by inflammation of the endometrium that affects dairy cows from 21 days after parturition, causing damage to herd fertility and economic losses on farms. The use of active compounds obtained from plant sources has gained importance as disease treatment agents in farm animals due to the high resistance rates currently observed against traditional antibiotics commonly used. The study was carried out to examine the chemical composition and to investigate the antibacterial activity of rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, eucalyptus, lemon, oregano and thyme essential oils against the reference strain of Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Fusobacterium necrophorum (ATCC 25286), Trueperella pyogenes (ATCC 19411) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), considered as typical bacteria causing endometritis. METHODOLOGY: The chemical composition of the seven essential oils were analyzed by GC-MS and their antibacterial activity was evaluated by the disc diffusion method. RESULTS: Thirty-six components were identified in total using GC-MS analyzes. The main compounds were cinnamaldehyde (86.5% for cinnamon essential oil), eugenol (85.7% for clove essential oil), 1,8-cineol (80% for eucalyptus and 47.8% rosemary essential oils), limonene (65.5% for lemon essential oil), carvacrol (72.1% for oregano essential oil) and thymol (48.8% for thyme essential oil). The disc diffusion assay revealed that cinnamon, clove, oregano, and thyme essential oils showed the best results compared to the other three essential oils, showing the largest zone of inhibition against all bacteria evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that essential oils are a potential agent to be used as an alternative for bovine endometritis treatment.

Randomized Comparative Trial of Acupuncture and Exercise Versus Uterine Ecbolics in the Treatment of Persistent Postbreeding Endometritis in Mares.

Although exercise and acupuncture are frequently used therapies to treat persistent postbreeding endometritis, their efficacy to date is unproven. The objective of this study was to determine if exercise and acupuncture are effective methods to reduce intrauterine fluid and compare the effectiveness of these treatments to the use of uterine ecbolics. Twelve mares susceptible to postbreeding endometritis were enrolled in the study with a randomized cross-over design using both positive and negative controls. During each estrous cycle, mares were randomized into one of six treatment groups, including stall rest (SR), oxytocin, cloprostenol, exercise, electroacupuncture, and oxytocin and exercise. Each mare was challenged with an insemination dose of 500 × 106 dead sperm at time 0 hours. Intrauterine fluid measurements were taken at 0, 4, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours postbreeding. Associations between treatment efficacy and fluid clearance were investigated using a random-effects logistic regression model that controlled for positive uterine culture. Compared with the SR negative control, exercise was the most effective treatment and had 29.7 times increased odds of fluid clearance. The second most effective treatment was oxytocin alone, with 16.9 times increased odds of fluid clearance. This was followed by cloprostenol that had 10.6 greater odds of fluid clearance, and finally, the treatment that combined exercise with oxytocin had 8.4 times greater odds of fluid clearance. Results from this study confirm that exercise and exercise combined with oxytocin are effective methods to clear intrauterine fluid.

Effects of follicular fluid of preovulatory follicles of repeat breeder dairy cows with subclinical endometritis on oocyte developmental competence.

The aims of the present study were to determine the concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), hormonal progesterone, estradiol-17ß, insulin growth factor (IGF-1) and magnesium in the serum and the preovulatory follicle follicular fluid (FF) in repeat breeder (RB) cows without (nSCE) or with subclinical endometritis (SCE), and further to examine the effects of this FF on developmental competence of cattle oocytes. In Experiment 1, 13 of 23 clinically healthy Holstein RB cows were identified (uterine PMNs) to have SCE. The cows were estrous synchronized, and 6-12 h after detection of standing estrus, FF and blood of the preovulatory follicles were collected. The mean (±SD) LPS (862.3 ± 148.1 compared with 1063.4 ± 262.8 EU/ml, P = 0.04) and estradiol-17ß (188.9 ± 15.8 compared with 162.0 ± 31.5 ng/ml, P = 0.02) concentrations of FF was different between nSCE and SCE cows. In Experiment 2, FF of RB cows with relatively lesser (nSCE, n = 4) and greater (SCE, n = 4) percentages of uterine PMNs was separately added to the oocyte maturation medium for in vitro embryo production. Addition of FF from SCE cows to the oocyte maturation medium resulted in a lesser rate of development to the blastocyst stage than that of the nSCE cows (21.9 ± 1.8 compared with 27.8 ± 2.5%, P < 0.05). Results of the present study indicate greater FF LPS concentration may result in a lesser quality microenvironment milieu for the final stages of oocyte maturation in RB dairy cows with subclinical endometritis. In addition, supplementation of oocyte maturation medium with FF of preovulatory follicles from RB cows with subclinical endometritis resulted in a lesser potential of in vitro oocyte developmental competence.

Effects of hypertonic dextrose and paraffin solution as non-antibiotic treatments of clinical endometritis on reproductive performance of high producing dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to compare the reproductive performance of cows affected by clinical endometritis (CE) following treatment with an intrauterine infusion of 50% dextrose solutions (DEX) and liquid paraffin (LP) as alternative therapies with routine treatments including PGF2α injection and intrauterine infusion of oxytetracycline (OTC). Moreover, the reproductive indices of cows treated with endometritis were compared with those of healthy ones. At postpartum reproductive tract examination (28-35 DIM) in one Iranian dairy farm, cows with CE without any selection were assigned to four groups: (a) OTC, a common treatment in Iran, was administered (5 g) to 396 cows, (b) PGF2 α (PG) was injected to 496 cows, (c) dextrose solution (DEX): intrauterine infusion of 50% dextrose solution (200 ml) was done in 427 cows, and (d) liquid paraffin (LP) was administered (100 ml) to 423 cows via intrauterine route. We further assigned 2,233 clinically healthy cows to the control group. The incidence of endometritis was 41.6% in this study. Based on the results of reproductive indices including median days to first AI, days open (DO), first service conception rate, conception rate in 2nd and 3rd services, conception rate in all three services, pregnancy rate < 100 days and pregnancy rate < 200 days, except for median days to first AI in other reproductive indexes, reproductive performance was significantly lower in LP group compared with the healthy cows and other treatment groups (p < 0.05). Except for the first service conception rate and proportion of cows pregnant before 100 days in milk (DIM), there existed no significant difference between the DEX group and the control as far as reproductive performance is concerned (p ≥ 0.05). The first service conception rate was recognizably lower in DEX group compared with OTC and PG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of a non-antibiotic special solution of dextrose 50% is a good alternative to antibiotic agents concerning the treatment of CE in dairy cows.

Effects of pegbovigrastim administration on periparturient diseases, milk production, and reproductive performance of Holstein cows.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of treating Holstein cows with pegbovigrastim on periparturient diseases, milk production, and reproductive performance while exploring the mode of action of an immunomodulatory protein. Cows were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatments, untreated control (CTR, n = 423) and pegbovigrastim (PEG, n = 417). At 7 d from the anticipated calving date (d -7), cows allocated to PEG received a subcutaneous injection of 15 mg of pegylated recombinant bovine granulocyte colony stimulating factor (pegbovigrastim injection, Imrestor, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN). A second injection was administered within 24 h after calving (d 0). Blood samples were obtained from a subset of cows (CTR, n = 103; PEG, n = 102) at -7 and 0, 3, 7, and 14 d relative to parturition. Samples were used for hemogram and quantification of haptoglobin, nonesterified fatty acids, ß-hydroxybutyrate, and trace and macro minerals. Vaginal cytobrush was performed on the same subset cows at d 0, 7, and 14 to assess the relative neutrophil count. Additionally, colostrum samples were collected to measure IgG, IgM, IgA, and lactoferrin concentrations. Postpartum disease occurrence was recorded from calving until 30 d in milk (DIM). Weekly milk yield was recorded for the first 12 wk after calving. Cows treated with PEG had a 3- to 4-fold increase in circulating polymorphonuclear leukocyte, lymphocyte, and monocyte numbers, with a peak at 3 d after treatment followed by a gradual decline, but the counts remained significantly greater compared with CTR at 14 DIM. The administration of PEG did not affect the incidence of clinical and subclinical mastitis, retained fetal membranes, metritis, puerperal metritis, and endometritis. Primiparous cows treated with PEG tended to have lower odds of developing hyperketonemia than CTR [odds ratio (OR) = 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.23 to 1.42]. Cows treated with PEG had higher odds of being diagnosed with lameness within 30 DIM compared with CTR (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.16 to 2.76); however, we found no significant differences by 60 DIM. Treatment with PEG increased the odds of displaced abomasum (OR = 8.27, 95% CI = 1.02 to 66.6). Cows treated with PEG had higher odds of being diagnosed with 1 or more clinical diseases compared with CTR cows (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.90). We observed no differences in linear scores or milk composition between treatments. Furthermore, primiparous cows treated with PEG produced more milk than CTR primiparous cows during the first 12 wk postpartum (PEG = 37.51 ± 0.66; CTR = 35.91 ± 0.65 kg), but no differences were observed on energy-corrected milk. Treatment did not alter reproductive performance; additionally, cows diagnosed with metritis or puerperal metritis and treated with PEG tended to have higher proportion of neutrophils in the vaginal mucosa when compared with CTR metritic cows. Although PEG treatment increased circulating polymorphonuclear leukocyte, monocyte, and lymphocyte numbers, as expected, it was detrimental to cow health because it increased morbidity.

Endometrial nitric oxide synthase activity in mares susceptible or resistant to persistent breeding-induced endometritis and the effect of a specific iNOS inhibitor in vitro.

Emerging research suggests that the nitric oxide system may play a role in persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) in the mare. Differences in uterine nitric oxide (NO) levels between mares susceptible or resistant to PBIE and a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of NO on uterine contractility have been demonstrated. The objectives of this study were to investigate the difference in total nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity of the endometrium between susceptible and resistant mares and the effect of a specific inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor on the endometrial NOS activity in vitro. Six susceptible and six resistant mares were selected based on preset criteria and the results of an intrauterine challenge with killed spermatozoa during oestrus. Endometrial biopsy samples were collected 24 hr post-challenge and cultured at 37°C for 24 hr in L-arginine supplemented minimum essential medium with or without a specific iNOS inhibitor (1,400 W dihydrochloride, 1 mM). The medium and the cultured endometrial tissue were collected after 24 hr of culture and assayed for NO and total protein, respectively. Total NO content of the medium, normalized to endometrial tissue wet weight or total protein, was used as a measure of endometrial NOS activity. Non-parametric tests were applied for statistical analysis. Susceptible mares had significantly greater endometrial NOS activity than resistant mares. The iNOS inhibitor treatment significantly reduced NOS activity in endometrial samples derived from susceptible and resistant mares. These findings provide a basis for in vivo testing of specific iNOS inhibitors as preventative or therapeutic options for PBIE in mares.

Multivitamins preventive therapy against subclinical endometritis in buffaloes: Its correlation to NEFA and oxidative stress.

The current study was designed to elucidate the in vivo antioxidant, preventive, and ameliorating effects of vitamins AD3E on the incidence of subclinical endometritis (SCE) in buffaloes. Twenty-four buffaloes were divided equally into two groups; group I: control and group II: received AD3E combination. Endometrial cytological samples (n=48) were collected using cytobrush to diagnose SCE by counting polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) ≥6% at 5th (W5) and≥4% at 7th (W7) weeks postpartum. Results revealed that serum superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide significantly increased and decreased, respectively at W7 in AD3E group. The PMN% were significantly correlated with oxidative/anti-oxidative stress markers at W5 and W7. Vaginal score, PMN%, and blood neutrophils were significantly higher in the control group buffaloes than the AD3E enriched ones. Therefore, the prevalence of SCE reduced significantly in the AD3E supplemented buffaloes as compared to the control ones at W5 (23.15% and 38.46%) and W7 (9.8% and 32.34%), respectively. The control group revealed higher NEFA levels (P≤0.05) at W5 and W7 than the AD3E group. The AD3E supplemented buffaloes had shorter days open and higher pregnancy rate at 120th and 150th days postpartum than the control ones. In conclusion, micronutrients (AD3E) intervention acts as a safeguard against the incidence of postpartum SCE and significantly improves the reproductive performance of buffaloes.

Effect of oral calcium administration on the cure and reproductive performance of Holstein cows diagnosed with puerperal metritis.

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of oral calcium administration on clinical cure, survival, subsequent presentation of peripartal health disorders, and reproductive performance of Holstein cows diagnosed with puerperal metritis (PM) under certified organic management. A second objective was to evaluate the metabolic status at calving and at the time of PM diagnosis (d 0) in affected and matched healthy cows. Cows diagnosed with PM (n = 200) were assigned randomly to receive 1 of 2 treatments: (1) control received 3.75 mL of Optimum UterFlush [Van Beek Natural Science, Orange City, IA, containing yucca extract, cinnamaldehyde, thymol, and a proprietary blend of carvacrol (4-isopropyl-2-methylphenol, at 0.47 g/mL)] diluted in 117 mL of distilled water by intrauterine infusion, administered every other day for a total of 3 treatments (n = 100); (2) calcium-supplemented (CA) received the same intrauterine treatment plus 6 oral capsules providing calcium ('O' Cal-D Cap, Bio-Vet Inc., Barneveld, WI; 7.5-9.0 g of Ca/capsule) once per day, for 3 consecutive days after diagnosis of PM. All cows received hypertonic saline solution (500 mL of 7.2% solution i.v. once), dextrose (500 mL of 50% solution i.v. once), and oral aspirin (5 boluses/d for 3 d). Outcome variables included fever, presence of fetid vaginal discharge, and uterine score at d 6 and 14 after diagnosis, survival at 30 and 100 d in milk, reproductive performance, and incidence of other health disorders after PM. A group of 200 control healthy cows (CH) was matched with PM cows at d 0, and calcium and fatty acid serum concentrations were determined at calving and at the day of diagnosis of PM (d 0). Calcium status was also assessed in PM cows at d 1, 2, 3, and 6 after diagnosis. Treatment effects were tested by logistic regression, repeated measures analysis, and ANOVA. Average calcium serum concentrations at d 0 were lower in PM cows (1.57 mmol/L) compared with CH cows (2.10 mmol/L). In PM cows, calcium concentrations at d 1, 2, 3, and 6 after diagnosis were significantly higher in the CA group. Fatty acid serum concentrations at calving and at d 0 were higher in PM cows compared with CH cows (0.48 vs. 0.37 mmol/L and 0.49 vs. 0.35 mmol/L, for calving and d 0). No effect was observed for calcium administration on health and survival outcomes. However, the proportion of cows inseminated by 150 d in milk was greater for CA compared with control cows (66 vs. 55%). In conclusion, supplementing oral calcium at the time of diagnosing PM had no effect on health. High fatty acid concentrations at calving were significant risk factors for occurrence of PM. Furthermore, cows affected with PM had lower calcium and higher fatty acid concentrations than CH cows at d 0.

Efeito da suplementação com colina protegida sobre parâmetros bioquímicos, produção e reprodução de vacas leiteiras no periparto / Effect of protected choline supplementation on biochemical parameters, production, and reproduction of dairy cows in peripartum

Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação com colina protegida sobre o perfil energético, as enzimas hepáticas e a reprodução de vacas leiteiras no periparto. Quinze vacas leiteiras foram divididas em dois grupos experimentais: oito receberam 80 gramas de colina protegida por 21 dias no pré-parto e por 40 dias no pós-parto e sete foram consideradas controle. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas nos dias 10, 20, 30 e 60 pós-parto para avaliação dos perfis energético e hepático. Aos 60 dias pós-parto, realizou-se exame ginecológico dos animais para avaliação da saúde reprodutiva. A suplementação com colina protegida não alterou os níveis de beta-hidroxibutirato (BHBA), ácidos graxos não esterificados (AGNE), frutosamina, fator de crescimento semelhante a glicose I (IGF-I), status oxidante total (TOS), aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e gamaglutamiltransferase (GGT) no pós-parto. Não houve diferença também quanto à produção de leite. Aos 60 dias pós-parto, vacas suplementadas com colina protegida apresentaram menor número de casos de endometrite que vacas do grupo controle. A suplementação de colina protegida não alterou o perfil bioquímico e a produção de leite, mas reduziu o número de casos de endometrite no pós-parto de vacas leiteiras.(AU)

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with protected choline on the energy profile, liver enzymes and reproduction in dairy cows in peripartum. Fifteen cows were divided into two groups: 8 received 80 grams of protected choline for 21 days pre-partum and 40 days postpartum, and 7 were considered control. Blood samples were collected on days 10, 20, 30, and 60 postpartum to evaluate the energy and hepatic profiles. After 60 days postpartum a gynecological examination of animals for evaluation of reproductive health was done. The supplementation with choline protected did not alter the beta-hydroxybutyrate levels (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), fructosamine, like growth factor glucose (IGF-I), total oxidant status (TOS), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and glutamiltrasferase range (GGT) postpartum. There was no difference in milk production. After 60 days postpartum, cows fed protected choline had fewer cases of endometritis that cows in the control group. The protected choline supplementation did not alter the biochemical profile and milk production, but reduced the number of endometritis cases in postpartum dairy cows.(AU)

Endometritis: Nontraditional Therapies.

Endometritis is characterized by inflammation of the endometrial lining of the uterus and is a leading cause of subfertility in broodmares. When traditional therapies fall short, nonconventional means can be used either to supplement or in lieu of customary practices to manage endometritis. This article reviews alternative therapies available for use in broodmare practice and provides anecdotal and scientific evidence supporting their use.