Abstract:
Subclinical endometritis is a condition that produces
negative effects on lactation yield and fertility of dairy
cows during the puerperal period. The objective of the
research consisted in the characterization of the uterine
microbiota of dairy cows and the identification of pathogens
associated with infertility. Differential selective
media for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were used for
the isolation and identification of bacteria. To establish
the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis, 54 animals
were evaluated at ≥ 60 days postpartum; cytologically
healthy cows (n = 32), cows with subclinical endometritis
(n = 22). The microbiological examination was performed
using samples of cervico-vaginal secretions collected
from the same animals by vaginoscopy, namely
4 cows with endometritis and 4 healthy cows. Cervicovaginal
secretions were examined microbiologically and
the isolates identified included Gram-positive bacteria
in percentage of 62.5% and 37.5% Gram-negative bacteria.
The highest incidence was reported for Escherichia
coli (16.66%), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus
spp. (16.66%), Staphylococcus spp (14.58%) and
Streptococcus agalactiae (12.5%). The prevalence of
subclinical endometritis, 40.7% (22/54) was established
on the basis of cell ratios (≥ 5% polymorphonuclear
cells) assessed following examination of endometrial
smears. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile determination
revealed high susceptibility to florfenicol
(93.75%), enrofloxacin (91.66%), marbofloxacin
(91.66%) followed by amoxicillin/clavulanic acid
(83.33%) and cefquinome (70.83%). Antimicrobial resistance
to tetracycline (100%), streptomycin
(89.58%), colistin (72.91%) and penicillin (68.75%)
was reported. In conclusion, the results of this study
confirm that the combination of endometrial cytology
with the microbiological examination of uterine discharges
seems to be a good method for the diagnosis of
subclinical endometritis, and provides an update of information
about the microbiota present in the uterus of
dairy cows after parturition, the state of its resistance to
antibiotics and the effect on reproductive performance.