Assessment of different diagnostic methods for the identification of subclinical endometritis in dairy cows with pathological puerperium and their reliability to conceive

Abstract

Abstract The aim of study was to evaluate different methods for subclinical endometritis (SCE) diagnoses and their accuracy to predict pregnancy. The study was performed on 51 postpartum cross breed dairy cows with pathological puerperium. Artificial insemination (AI) was done in spontaneous estrus. Endometrium samples were taken by cytotape (CT), cervical mucus (CM) samples by Metricheck and smears for crystallization degree were obtained at AI day. Blood serum samples for progesterone (P4) concentration determination were taken at AI day and 17 days later. Cows were examined by ultrasound 35 days after AI to confirm pregnancy. Percent (%) of polymorphnuclear leukocytes (PMNs) taken by CT were expressed by ROC curve (with cut-off point set at 1%). Out of the total of 51 cows involved in the study, 13.73% true positive and 41.17% true negative cows were found (54.90%). The content of CM sampled with Metricheck was altered in 11 cows (21.57%), and one of them was pregnant (1.96%). An average macroscopic CM value for pregnant cows was 0.06±0.24 vs. 0.39±0.79 for non-pregnant (p<0.05). An average value of CM crystallization in pregnant cows was 2.50±1.04 vs. 1.85±1.15 in non-pregnant (p<0.05). P4 concentration was not statistically different at AI day, but was statistically significantly higher 17 days later in pregnant cows (p = 0.002). CT alterations may be a reliable diagnostic tool for SCE diagnosis, while macroscopic CM alterations may be used for CE detection. P4 determination is beneficial in pregnancy diagnosis while CM crystallization degree is helpful in determination of best time for AI.