@conference {60937,
	title = {Prevalence and identification of systemic markers of sub-clinical endometritis in postpartum dairy cows},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {69},
	year = {2009},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {37-42},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {The prevalence of sub-clinical endometritis (scEndo) and identification of serum markers of scEndo was investigated in pasture-fed, postpartum dairy cows. Mixed age lactating dairy cows (n = 169) were examined for uterine health status on day (D) 21 postpartum ({\textpm} 3 days) by Metricheck classification. On D42 in a subpopulation (n = 47; 32 clean, 15 scEndo) Metricheck assessment was repeated and uterine cytology undertaken on D21 and D42 [scEndo = polymorphicnuclear (PMN) cells >18\%]. Uterine bacteriology, as well as haematological, biochemical and milk parameters were also measured. The prevalence of scEndo was 15/169 (8.9\%) and 4/47 (8.5\%) cows on D21 and D42 respectively. A high incidence of self-resolving scEndo (11/15, 73\%) was revealed. Numerous species of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from both scEndo and clean cows. Despite the uterine infection being sub-clinical, systemic markers were detectable as on D21 and D42 haematological and biochemical parameters differed. Irrespective of the scEndo classification method used, the mean blood neutrophil concentration was higher (P <0.05) and plasma albumin lower (<0.05) in scEndo cows compared to clean cows. Milk fat and protein \% also differed (P <0.05) between scEndo and clean cows. The monitoring in early lactation of these markers could aid identification of scEndo, thereby preventing potentially detrimental effects on subsequent fertility. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Green MP and Ledgard AM and Berg MC and Peterson AJ and Back PJ}
}
