Evaluation of prevalence, risk factors, and therapeutic approach for subclinical endometritis and oviductal occlusion in repeat breeder Holstein cattle

Due to the productive and economic consequences of Repeat Breeder (RB) syndrome, the objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors for subclinical endometritis (SE) and oviductal occlusion (OO) in RB cows, and to make a therapeutic approach for these pathologies. In 99 RB cows, endometrial cytologies were performed to assess the presence of SE (>5 % polymorphonuclear neutrophils), and the oviductal patency was checked using the phenolsulfonphthalein test. Body condition score was evaluated, and data from each animal were obtained from on-farm software (parity, calving date, artificial insemination (AI) date, number of AI, and occurrence of postpartum diseases). Cows positive to SE were assigned to one treatment protocol: a) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), b) Prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α), c) NSAID+ PGF_2α. Similarly, cows with OO were assigned to one treatment: a) Therapeutic embryo, b) Artificial insemination. The prevalence for SE and OO was 22 % and 3 %, respectively. Regarding SE, the logistic regression did not show any significant difference for the risk factors evaluated. Moreover, cows that were administered the NSAID, either alone or in combination with PGF_2α, showed higher conception rates in the following AI (p < 0.05). Due to the low prevalence of OO, it was not possible to perform the logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, neither SE nor OO seem to be the main cause of RB syndrome in the cows under study. Additionally, when SE is diagnosed as the main cause of RB syndrome, treatment with NAISDs seems to increase conception rates.