Evaluation of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells in cervical sample as a diagnostic technique for detection of subclinical endometritis in dairy cattle

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the cervical sampling as an easy and safe method for the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in dairy cattle. Methods: One hundred ninety seven lactating Holstein cows were examined at 26–32 d in milk (DIM) for diagnosis of endometritis. Differential cellular counts were also made from stained smears of the cervical mucosa. Using the Receiver/Response Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve, presence of >17.5% polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells was calculated for detection of subclinical endometritis with sensitivity and specificity of 56.5% and 83.3% respectively. Results: Cows with subclinical endometritis had significantly more open days and all service conception rate than normal cows. The results of survival analysis showed that normal cows became pregnant at a significantly faster rate than cows with subclinical endometritis. Conclusions: The results of the present study introduced the cervical smear sampling as an easy and suitable method for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in dairy cattle.

Keywords

• Subclinical endometritis
• Cervical cytology
• Dairy cattle