Cow postpartum uterine infection: A review of risk factors, prevention and the overall impact

Accepted: 02/06/2014 Abstract Several physiological changes occur in the cow’s uterus soon after calving. These changes are significant if a cow is to recover and come back into season, ready to conceive, thus any factors that interfare with the normal functioning of the uterus and other associated structures will affect overall reproductive performance. Research has shown variations in the prevalence of uterine infection between different countries due to several factors such as general environment, nutrition, calving season and breed. Infections such as puerperal metritis and endometritis are often caused by pathogens such as Actinomyces pyogenes, Fusobacterium necroforum and Bacteroides spp, which can cause significant damage to the uterine endometrial tissue. Such infections require prompt diagnosis and attention in order to prevent their detrimental effect. Research has also documented other factors that may contribute to the incidence of infection of the uterus after calving. They include age, parity, poor nutrition, dystocia and retained foetal membranes (RFMs). Prevention of uterine infection should therefore focus on the causal factors, applying the best management practises in order to minimise their overall impact. Further studies into improved genetics focusing on reproductive immunology would be something that is worthwhile in the 21 century.