Carlos MOSCUZZA, Guadalupe ALVAREZ, Betiana GUTIERREZ, Marcelo ZURITA, Marcelo TROPEANO, Roberto PERNA

Endometrial cytology as a diagnostic tool for subclinical endometritis in beef heifers

The obstetric assistance of dystocia in field conditions promotes greater bacterial contamination of the uterus, causing subclinical endometritis. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of subclinical endometritis in beef heifers receiving professional calving assistance, and to evaluate endometrial cytology as a diagnostic technique compared to uterine biopsy. A group of 829 Angus heifers were assisted at calving. Dystocia was classified based on difficulty at assistance, which was estimated as complex or simple. At the end of the calving season, 93 dystocic heifers were reported (10.7%). The percentage of simple resolution and complex resolution was 88.2% and 11.8%, respectively. After 60 days of calving, all animals underwent a gynecological examination, endometrial cytology, and uterine biopsy. In all, 38.9% of heifers presented subclinical endometritis diagnosed by endometrial cytology (sensitivity = 78.6%, specificity = 95.8%). There was a significant association (r = 0.8528) between uterine cytology and uterine biopsy. No associations were observed between endometrial cytology or biopsy and calf viability, or between endometrial cytology or biopsy and calving resolution. Endometrial cytology is a noninvasive technique with high specificity and repeatability for the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis postpartum in dystocic beef heifers.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Beef heifers, cytology, biopsy, dystocia, subclinical endometritis

Endometrial cytology as a diagnostic tool for subclinical endometritis in beef heifers

Keywords:

Beef heifers, cytology, biopsy, dystocia, subclinical endometritis,

PDF

___

García JM, Campero CM, Melucci OG, Chayer R. Pérdidas por partos distócicos en vaquillonas de carne con servicio de 15/18 meses. Rev Therios 1999; 28: 172–182 (in Spanish).
Turner HA, McInnis ML, Angell RF, Weber DW. Factors associated with dystocia in beef heifers. Prof Anim Sci 1991; 8: 43–47.
Price TD, Wiltbank JN. Dystocia in cattle: a review and implications. Theriogenology 1978; 9: 195–219.
Holland MD, Speer NC, Lefever DG, Taylor RE, Field TG, Odde KG. Factors contributing to dystocia due to fetal malpresentation in beef cattle. Theriogenology 1993; 39: 899– 908.
Barlund CS, Carruthers TD, Waldner CL, Palmer CW. A comparison of diagnostic techniques for postpartum endometritis in dairy cattle. Theriogenology 2008; 69: 714– 723.
Bonnett BN, Martin SW. Path analysis of peripartum and postpartum events, rectal palpations findings, endometrial biopsy results and reproductive performance in Holstein– Friesian dairy cows. Prev Vet Med 1995; 21: 279–288.
Gilbert RO, Gröhn YT, Miller PM, Hoffman DJ. Effect of parity on periparturient neutrophil function in dairy cows. Vet Immunol Immunop 1993; 36: 75–82.
Studer E, Morrow DA. Postpartum evaluation of bovine reproductive potential: comparison of findings from genital tract examination per rectum, uterine culture, and endometrial biopsy. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1978; 172: 489–494.
Bonnett BN, Martin SW, Gannon VP, Miller RB, Etherington WG. Endometrial biopsy in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Bacteriological analysis and correlations with pathological findings. Can J Vet Res 1991; 55: 168–173.
Kasimanickam R, Duffield TF, Foster RA, Gartley CJ, Leslie KE, Walton JS, Johnson WH. A comparison of the cytobrush and uterine lavage techniques to evaluate endometrial cytology in clinically normal postpartum dairy cows. Can Vet J 2005; 46: 255–259.
Kavak ZN, Eren F, Pekin S, Küllü S. A randomized comparison of the 3 Papanicolaou smear collection methods. Aus NZ J Obstet Gynaecol 1995; 65: 689–691.
Santos NR, Lamb GC, Brown DR, Gilbert RO. Postpartum endometrial cytology in beef cows. Theriogenology 2009; 71: 739–745.
Djemali M, Freeman AE, Berger PJ. Reporting of dystocia scores and effects of dystocia on production, days open, and days dry from dairy herd improvement data. J Dairy Sci 1987; 70: 2127–2131.
Palmer C. Endometritis en vacas lecheras. Rev Taurus 2008; 10: 25–32 (in Spanish).
Doornbos DE, Bellows RA, Burfening PJ, Knapp BW. Effects of damage, prepartum nutrition and duration of labor on productivity and postpartum reproduction in beef females. J Anim Sci 1984; 59: 1–10.
Campero CM, Sciotti A, Melucci LM, Carrillo J. Pelvimetría en ganado para carne y su asociación con el tipo de parto. Rev Arg Prod Anim 1995; 15:756–759 (in Spanish).
Navarro EM, Campero CM, Mezzadra C, Sciotti A. Evaluación del área pélvica en vaquillonas para carne de entore precoz y su relación con el parto. Vet Arg 2008; 25: 413–429 (in Spanish).
Alejo D, Campero CM, Faverin C, Fernández Sainz I. Caracterización de partos y mortalidad perinatal en terneros de cría de diferentes genotipos. Vet Arg 2000; 17: 333–340 (in Spanish).
Zapiola A, Echevarria S, Campero CM. Eficiencia reproductiva del segundo servicio en vaquillonas para carne con antecedentes de distocia. Rev Taurus 2003; 5: 29–33 (in Spanish).
Laster DB. Factors affecting pelvic size and dystocia in beef cattle. J Anim Sci 1974; 38: 496–503.
Berger PJ, Cubas AC, Koehler KJ. Factors affecting dystocia and early calf mortality in Angus cows and heifers. J Anim Sci 1992; 70: 1775–1786.
Wittum TE, Salman MD, Odde KG, Mortimer RG, King HE. Causes and costs of calf mortality in Colorado beef herds participating in the National Animal Health Monitoring System. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1993; 203: 323–236.
Mee, JF. Prevalence and risk factors for dystocia in dairy cattle: a review. Vet J 2008; 176: 93–101.
Smeaton DC, Scott ML, Webby RW, Cameron C, McGowan L, Brooky A. Factors associated with calving difficulty in embryo transfer mated cattle. In: Proceedings of the Annual Congress of New Zealand Society of Animal Production. Hamilton, New Zealand: NZSAP; 2004. pp. 252–256.
Plöntzke J, Madoz LV, De la Sota RL, Drillich M, Heuwieser W. Subclinical endometritis and its impact on reproductive performance in grazing dairy cattle in Argentina. Anim Reprod Sci 2010; 122: 52–57.