Vaginal Fornix Discharge Cellularity and Its Leukocyte Esterase Activity for Diagnosis of Endometritis in Dairy Cows

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the application of some strip test markers (i.e., leukocyte esterase (LE) activity, protein, nitrate and pH) for diagnosis of endometritis in dairy cows using vaginal fornix discharge. Also, the total white blood cell count (t-WBC/l) of this secretion and degenerative changes of neutrophils in cervical cytology were used as alternative methods to predict progression of the endometritis severity. Holstein cows (n=215) between 30-40 days in milk (DIM) were included and examined. Giemsa-stained smear was prepared from cervical mucus. Cervical cytology test was considered as reference screening method for the detection of subclinical endometritis. The LE activity and t-WBC in the vaginal fornix discharge of subclinical endometritis cows were significantly higher than those from healthy cows. Sensitivity and specificity were 78% and 73% for LE10 activity (10 minutes after contacting with discharges) and 60% and 69% for t-WBC (cut off point=210 cells/l) for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis, respectively. There was a good agreement between LE10 activity, t-WBC and cervical cytology test with a Kappa coefficient of 0.4 and 0.42, respectively (P<0.0001). Total WBC count in discharge and degenerative neutrophils (DN) percentages increase simultaneously with the degree and severity of endometritis. There was a highly significant (P<0.01) correlation between t-WBC and some reagent strip test markers (LE activity, protein and nitrate) in clear discharge of studied cows. In conclusion, the present results suggest the LE activity and t-WBC in vaginal fornix discharge could be used as non-invasive reliable and valid methods for screening of subclinical endometritis in postpartum dairy herds.

Keywords

• Leukocyte esterase
• vaginal fornix discharge
• postpartum endometritis
• dairy cows