Association between the perineal hygiene score at calving, puerperal uterine disorders, and reproductive efficiency in crossbreed dairy cows

Abstract

Retained placenta, metritis, and clinical endometritis are prevalent diseases on dairy farms, leading to economic losses and reducing the longevity of dairy cows in dairy production systems, so it is important to investigate potential predisposing factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between perineal hygiene during calving and the incidence of retained placenta, metritis, clinical endometritis and their effect on reproductive efficiency and culling rates in crossbred dairy cows. At two properties, pre calving cows (n=101) were evaluated for perineal dirtiness before and during calving, by visual observation and classified in score 1 - free of feces and dry perineum; score 2 - slight presence of feces and moist perineum; score 3 - mild-wet perineum, covered by feces (over 10% of the surface). After calving, cows were subjected by visual observation and gynecological evaluation to identify retained placenta, metritis and clinical endometritis. Cows with a hygiene score of 2 or 3 showed higher rates of retained placenta (41.9% x 14.0%), metritis (32.5% x 14.0%%) and clinical endometritis (42.5% x 15.8%) than cows with a score 1. Even though no significant effects on reproductive rates were reported, the degree of perineal dirtiness in prepartum dairy crossbred cows is associated with the incidence of post calving reproductive diseases.