Short communication: Assessment of biomarkers of inflammation in the vaginal discharge of postpartum dairy cows diagnosed with clinical metritis

摘要

Clinical metritis, characterized by the presence ofan enlarged uterus and abnormal red-brownish foulsmellingvaginal discharge (VD), is a prevalent conditionthat causes important economic losses to dairyoperations. The accurate diagnosis and treatment ofthis disease can help decrease its negative effects on thewell-being and performance of dairy cows. The objectivesof this study were to assess (1) the concentrationof haptoglobin (Hp) and neutrophil-derived haptoglobin–matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Hp-MMP 9) in the VDof postpartum cows; and (2) the correlation between Hpand Hp-MMP 9 concentrations in serum and VD. Fiftythreedairy cows from 4 farms in central Pennsylvaniawere enrolled in this observational study.. Postpartumcows (7 ± 3 DIM) were screened using a Metricheckdevice to assess VD score (VDS): 1, clear fluid (n = 4);2, < 50% white purulent fluid (n = 14); 3, > 50% whitepurulent fluid (n = 8); 4, red-brownish watery fluidwithout fetid smell (n = 22); and 5, fetid red-brownishwatery fluid (n = 5). Blood and VD samples were collectedfor assessment of Hp and Hp-MMP 9 concentrations.Cows with a VDS of 4 or 5 (VDS4/5) had higherserum Hp concentrations than cows with a VDS of 1, 2,or 3 (VDS1/3; 93 ± 187 μg/mL vs. 59 ± 106 μg/mL,respectively). Similarly, cows with VDS4/5 had higherVD Hp concentrations than cows with VDS1/3 (73 ±56 μg/mL vs. 17 ± 16 μg/mL, respectively). We founda significant correlation (0.37) between Hp levels inserum and in VD. We found no difference in serum Hp-MMP 9 between VDS4/5 and VDS1/3 cows. The VDconcentrations of Hp-MMP 9 were higher in VDS4/5cows than in VDS1/3 cows (7,629 ± 9,847 ng/mL vs.1,567 ± 2,165 ng/mL, respectively). The correlationbetween Hp-MMP 9 in serum and VD was 0.22; nevertheless,it was not statistically significant. Interestingly,Hp and Hp-MMP 9 concentrations were higher in VDsamples than in serum, regardless of VDS. Results fromthis study suggest that inflammatory biomarkers maybe increased in cows with a VDS of 4 or 5. Furtherresearch should be aimed at elucidating the processesinvolved in inflammatory biomarker production andtransportation in the uterus, as well as the effect ofthese biomarkers on endometrial cells.