Postpartum subclinical endometritis, its diagnosis and impact on early reproductive parameters in dairy cows

The present study was aimed at the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis and its impact on early reproductive parameters in postpartum dairy cows (N=45). The proportion of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNCs-%) and intraluminal uterine fluid (ILUF-mm) was assessed by cytotape and transrectal ultrasonography, respectively, for the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis at 8 weeks post-partum. A receiver operator characteristics curve was used to determine the diagnostic threshold of PMNCs and ILUF. The optimal threshold value for PMNCs was 0.05) whereas it was 0.01) between ILUF and PMNCs was reported, irrespective of the threshold level. In conclusion, endometrial cytology and transrectal ultrasonography with a threshold level 6% for PMNCs and >3.40 mm for ILUF, respectively, defined the presence of subclinical endometritis, and this led to a delay in the establishment of subsequent early post-partum reproductive performance.