Association of uterine fluid metabolites with the occurrence of metritis in dairy cows

A case-control study

Abstract

Metritis is highly prevalent (10-30%) in dairy cows leading to decreased reproductive performance and economic losses. Recent studies demonstrated that aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are present in the uterine lumen of all cows immediately after parturition. Although the etiology of uterine diseases is mainly attributed to bacterial infection, bacterial contamination alone is not sufficient for the development of metritis. Reduced immune function and impaired regulation of inflammation are other components in the pathogenesis of metritis. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the association of the uterine fluid biomarkers at the day of calving and metritis incidence within the first 2 weeks postpartum. We hypothesize that a disturbed uterine fluid metabolic landscape at the day of calving contributes to the development of metritis in dairy cows.