Association between the perineal hygiene score at calving, puerperal uterine disorders, and reproductive efficiency in crossbreed dairy cows

Retained placenta, metritis, and clinical endometritis are prevalent diseases on dairy farms; they lead to economic losses and reduce the longevity of dairy cows in dairy production systems. Hence, it is important to investigate potential predisposing factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between perineal hygiene during calving and the incidence of retained placenta, metritis, and clinical endometritis, and their effect on reproductive efficiency in crossbred dairy cows. At two farms, pre-calving cows (n = 101) were evaluated for perineal dirtiness before calving by visual observation. They received a score of 1, free of feces and a dry perineum; a score of 2, slight presence of feces and a moist perineum; or a score of 3, a mild-wet perineum covered by feces (over 10% of the surface). After calving, cows were subjected to visual observation and gynecological evaluation to identify retained placenta, metritis, and clinical endometritis. Cows with a hygiene score of 2 or 3 showed higher rates of retained placenta (41.9% vs. 14.0%, P = 0.0049), metritis (32.5% vs. 14.0%, P = 0.0191), and clinical endometritis (42.5% vs. 15.8%, P = 0.0061) compared with cows with a score of 1. There were no effects on reproductive efficiency. The findings indicate that the degree of perineal dirtiness in prepartum crossbred dairy cows is associated with the occurrence of uterine puerperal disorders.