Histopathological Investigation and Plasma Energy Metabolic Profile as A diagnostic Tools of Postpartum Metritis and its Implication on Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows

Health problems are common in dairy cows during transition period (TP). TP is an intermediate stage of digestive, metabolic, and reproductive activities that determine health during calving and in the first weeks postpartum. The high prevalence of postpartum uterine diseases, including metritis and endometritis, in dairy cows may be caused by the fact that nearly all of them had a significant negative energy balance during the TP. This study targeted to find metritis biomarkers and assess dairy cow reproductive performance with metritis. Eight apparently healthy cows and twenty cows that showed clinical signs of metritis were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were assayed for NEFA, BHBA, glucose, TG, cholesterol, P4, cortisol, AST, ALT, Ca, Ph, and protein concentrations. Metritic cows had higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of NEFA, BHBA, TG, P4, cortisol, AST, and ALT and lower (P < 0.05) serum glucose, cholesterol, Ca, Ph, and protein concentrations when compared to control cows. The number of days to first estrus after calving, days open from calving to conception, and services per conception were greater (P < 0.05) for metritic cows than the control group. Our findings showed that metritis altered the metabolic profile of dairy cows and reduced their reproductive function. Sirus red stain revealed fibrosis in all cases. In most cases, inflammation of the myometrium was present, and in three cases, adenomyosis was found. All cases revealed moderate congestion. The blood vessels had medial hypertrophy.