Fertility challenges in dairy cows with purulent vaginal discharge: Implications for reproductive efficiency

Abstract

Reproductive tract inflammatory diseases are major contributors to infertility in dairy cows, with purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) being a significant uterine disorder affecting both milk production and fertility. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PVD on key reproductive performance parameters in Algerian dairy farming conditions. The study analyzed several parameters: conception rates at first service, conception rates at 150 DIM, interval days to first service, interval days to fertilization and services per conception. PVD diagnosis and fertility data were collected from 78 dairy cows (36 healthy and 42 diagnosed with PVD) using vaginoscopy at 21-38 days in milk (DIM). While there was no significant difference in conception rates at first service between the two groups, cows with PVD had a reduced conception rate at 150 DIM (42.9% vs. 75%). Additionally, PVD-affected cows exhibited a longer interval to first service (77.62 ± 20.00 vs. 59.94 ± 11.64) and required more days to fertilization (76.21 ± 17.74 vs. 97.71 ± 34.69). Services per conception was significantly higher in PVD-affected cows compared to healthy cows (2.83 ± 0.86 vs 1.75 ± 0.69). These findings shed light on the detrimental effects of PVD on reproductive performance, underscoring the need for improved herd management practices, adequate prevention and effective treatments to mitigate its impact.