Infertility Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Infertility, including details on male and female infertility, treatment, causes, pregnancy.

Production, reproductive, and metabolic factors associated with chlamydial seropositivity and reproductive tract antigens in dairy herds with fertility disorders.

Wehrend A, Failing K, Hauser B, Jäger C, Bostedt H

Klinik für Geburtshilfe, Gynäkologie und Andrologie der Gross- und Kleintiere der Justus-Liebig-Universität, Frankfurter Strasse 106, D-35392 Giessen, Germany. axel.wehrend@vetmed.uni-giessen.de

While chlamydial infections cause abortions in cattle, its role in other reproductive disorders is uncertain. This study identified the risk factors for chlamydial infection in herds with history of subfertility. We investigated the possible effects of coinfections, different metabolic parameters, abortion, ovarian cysts, pathological vaginal discharge, length of the open period, milk yield, housing conditions and age. In cows from 34 farms with elevated reproductive disorders, 41.5% had antibodies against chlamydia, while chlamydia antigen was detected in the vagina and uterus of 46.7%. A statistical relationship between seropositivity and antigen positivity was not found. Abortion (OR = 6.6) and loose housing (OR = 2.3) were risk factors for the presence of chlamydia antibodies. Furthermore, there were significant relationships between metabolic disorders and chlamydial infections. Increased levels of beta-hydroxybutaric acid (OR = 6.8) and hypocalcaemia (OR = 6.0) often accompanied chlamydia antigen in the vagina. Increased age (OR = 1.2) and pathological vaginal discharge (OR = 2.4) were identified as risk factors for chlamydia antigen in the vagina. The largest risk factor was for the association of ovarian cysts (OR = 21.5) with uterine antigen. In conclusion, chlamydial infection in dairy herd cows is best understood as a multifactorial disease.

Published 4 January 2005 in Theriogenology, 63(3): 923-30.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Infertility Research Today. All Rights Reserved.