Diseases of the reproductive tract are a common cause of impaired productivity in dairy cattle. Studies have shown that the majority of cattle will have some degree of contamination of the uterus with bacteria after calving. While most cattle clear this contamination, some will be diagnosed with inflammatory disorders that affect fertility. Recent estimates suggest that up to 50% of all cattle that calve will develop at least one uterine health disorder that compromises reproductive performance. Theeffects of the various uterine health disorders on individual animal production and the relative frequency with which these diseases occur make them costly for both single herds and the dairy industry as a whole. The primary drivers for the high incidence of post-partum reproductive disorders are primarily attributable to altered immune function and disruptions in metabolic health in the periparturient period. In addition, recent work has shown that the presence of certain bacteria or strains of bacteria may increase the risk of disease through the expression of virulence factors or other mechanisms that have not been described.
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