Levels of immunoglobulin G, white blood cells and fibrinogen in dairy cows with and without endometritis during the transitional period
Reproductive performance is particularly dependent on uterine health during the postpartum period. Under normal circumstances, close to 100% of cows have uterine contamination within the first 2 weeks after calving. The innate immune and reproductive system usually eliminate all of the offending microbes, however persistent infection reportedly occurs over 20 % of postpartum cows. The aims of this study were to estimate concentrations of systemic immune indicators like white blood cells (WBC), IgG, and fibrinogen during the transitional period in dairy cows and to compare these concentrations in dairy cows with and without endometritis. A total of three different commercial dairy herds located in Quebec (Canada) in the Maskoutain region were recruited, and 61 multiparous cows were systematically and consecutively enrolled at drying period and then examined six times between 40 days (J-40) before and after calving (J40). All six exams included an assessment of lameness, the collection of milk and blood samples, a transrectal and vaginal exam, and a vaginal cytobrush. Diseased cows (n = 11) were identified based on the presence of T. pyogenes grade >2 in the uterus, clinical and subclinical endometritis, and cervicitis. The control group animals (n = 11) were characterized by the absence of all four criteria. For the 61 cows, the prevalence for clinical endometritis, subclinical endometritis , T. pyogenes, and cervicitis were 23%, 16%, 25%, and 31% respectively. Concentrations of the systemic inflammatory indicators (IgG, WBC, and fibrinogen) did not change significantly over time or vary significantly between control and diseased cows at any exam. In conclusion, systemic indicators of inflammation are not good markers for diagnosing or monitoring endometritis in postpartum dairy cows.
Dairy cows Immunoglobulin G Fibrinogen White blood cells Neutrophils Endometritis Transition period Neutrophiles