Relation between Liver Lipid Content and Plasma Biochemical Indicators in Dairy Cows

Background: The incidence of metabolic disorders in dairy cows has increased as a result of intensive production practices and genetic selection for milk yield. Among such disorders, liver lipidosis is very frequently observed and has significant negative effects on cow health and milk yield. Severe energy supply deficit causes high fat mobilization, resulting in rapid body condition loss and liver lipid infiltration, which cannot always be detected by known blood biochemical indicators. The main objective of the study was to determine possible associations of blood biochemical parameters with liver lipid infiltration severity in high-yield multiparous Holstein cows along prepartum and postpartum periods.Materials, Methods & Results: Fifty-four high-yield Holstein cows from a herd managed in a free-stall system in the northwest region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil were evaluated. Cows were divided in two groups according to their physiological status. Group 1 included 19 prepartum cows, with an average milk yield of 44.7 L/d in the previous lactation, and 2.8 average parity, and Group 2 included 35 postpartum cows, with an average milk yield of 46.8 L/d in the previous lactation, and 2.5 average parity. The farm produced 10,000 kg milk per year, containing 3.5% of fat, 3.2% of protein and 4.7% of lactose. Total cholesterol (CH), plasma triglycerides (TGp), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), albumin (ALB), non-esterified free fatty acids (NEFA) levels, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) activities were analyzed in the plasma and liver triglycerides (TGl) levels were determined in liver tissue samples.The SPSS statistical software was used for the statistical analyses.  The obtained data were analyzed for normality by the Shapiro-Wilk test and for homoscedasticity by Bartlett test. Data were submitted to analysis of variance, and means were compared by the t-test (PROC TTEST). Pearson correlation test (PROC CORR) was used to compare the results between prepartum and postpartum cows, and between those with and without lipidosis.An overall incidence of 20% severe hepatic lipidosis was determined both in prepartum and postpartum cows. Positive significant correlations were obtained between days in milk (DIM) and AST (r= 0.43; P < 0.01), CH and TGp (r= 0.44; P < 0.01), TGl and AST (r=0.32; P < 0.05), NEFA and AST (r= 0.45; P < 0.01) and CK and AST (r= 0.447; P < 0.01). Negative significant correlations were detected between TGp and DIM (r= -0.45; P < 0.01), and between TGl and TGp (r= -0.30; P < 0.05).Discussion: Prepartum cows showed moderate fat infiltration in the liver, while 25.7% of postpartum cows presented severe lipidosis. AST values increased as lactation progressed, suggesting a greater tendency of liver damage, in early postpartum. The obtained CK values were within the reference range, except for the cows with hepatic lipidosis, indicating that the measured AST activity was originated from the liver and not from the muscle tissues. TGp, NEFA and AST values indicate the degree of fat mobilization and, possibly, liver infiltration, while TGl indicates fat infiltration in the liver. Although negative energy balance (NEB) may trigger lipolysis and some degree of hepatic lipidosis, plasma BHB values did not significantly increase. The obtained results show that the evaluated plasma parameters may be useful to establish guidelines for the identification of changes in the metabolic profile of dairy cows during different production stages, as well as measures for the prevention and control of metabolic disorders

Correlação entre lipidose hepática, variação da condição corporal e analitos hepáticos em bovinos leiteiros

Liver lipidosis is a metabolic disorder mostly observed in high yielding dairy cattle, especially during the transition period. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between hepatic lipid infiltration, biochemical indicators of liver function, and body condition score (BCS) variation in dairy cows. Fifty-one multiparous Holstein cows raised in a confined system were evaluated. Liver biopsies and blood samples were collected, and BCS was measured on days 3 and 28 postpartum. Lipid infiltration was determined by histologic examination. The plasma activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase and concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, albumin, total bilirubin, and cholesterol were determined. BCS was measured using objective (camera) and subjective (visual) methods. Mild lipid infiltration was found in 3.92% of cows sampled on day 3 and 5.88% on day 28. Bilirubin was significantly higher on day 3 than on day 28 postpartum, and cholesterol was significantly higher on day 28 than on day 3 in all cows. There was no difference in biochemical analytes between cows with and without lipidosis. On day 3, mean subjective BCS was 3.10 and objective BCS was 3.16, while on day 28, these scores were 2.91 and 2.99, respectively. The calculated liver function index (LFI) was found to be a more sensitive indicator of liver function than the hepatic analytes evaluated. No correlation between BCS variation and lipid infiltration was found. Cholesterol and bilirubin levels showed the most remarkable changes during the early postpartum period. LFI is a potential indicator of postpartum liver function.A lipidose hepática é um distúrbio metabólico principalmente observado nos bovinos de leite de alto rendimento, especialmente no período de transição. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a correlação entre infiltração lipídica hepática, indicadores bioquímicos de função hepática e variação da condição corporal em bovinos leiteiros. Foram avaliadas cinquenta e um vacas multíparas de raça Holandesa em confinamento. Coletaram-se biopsias de fígado e amostras de sangue, e a condição corporal (BCS) aferiu-se nos dias 3 e 28 pós-parto. A infiltração lipídica determinou-se mediante avaliação histológica. Mensuraram-se a atividade da aspartato aminotransferase, fosfatase alcalina e da gama-glutamil transferase, concentração de beta-hidroxibutirato, ácidos graxos não esterificados, albumina, bilirrubina total e colesterol. A BCS mediu-se utilizando método objetivo (câmera) e subjetivo (visualmente). Observou-se discreta infiltração lipídica em 3,92% dos bovinos amostrados no dia 3 e 5,88% no dia 28. Em todos os bovinos a bilirrubina foi significativamente mais alta no dia 3 do que no dia 28 e o colesterol foi superior no dia 28 do que no dia 3. Não houve diferença nos analitos bioquímicos dos bovinos com e sem lipidose. No dia 3, a média subjetiva da BCS foi 3,10 e a objetiva 3,16, enquanto no dia 28, obtiveram-se valores de 2,91, e 2,99 respectivamente. O índice calculado de função hepática mostrou ser um indicador mais sensível da função hepática do que os analitos avaliados individualmente. Não houve correlação entre a variação do BCS e infiltração lipídica

Relation between liver lipid content and plasma biochemical indicators in dairy cows

Background: The incidence of metabolic disorders in dairy cows has increased as a result of intensive production practices and genetic selection for milk yield. Among such disorders, liver lipidosis is very frequently observed and has significant negative effects on cow health and milk yield. Severe energy supply deficit causes high fat mobilization, resulting in rapid body condition loss and liver lipid infiltration, which cannot always be detected by known blood biochemical indicators. The main objective of the study was to determine possible associations of blood biochemical parameters with liver lipid infiltration severity in high-yield multiparous Holstein cows along prepartum and postpartum periods. Materials, Methods & Results: Fifty-four high-yield Holstein cows from a herd managed in a free-stall system in the northwest region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil were evaluated. Cows were divided in two groups according to their physiological status. Group 1 included 19 prepartum cows, with an average milk yield of 44.7 L/d in the previous lactation, and 2.8 average parity, and Group 2 included 35 postpartum cows, with an average milk yield of 46.8 L/d in the previous lactation, and 2.5 average parity. The farm produced 10,000 kg milk per year, containing 3.5% of fat, 3.2% of protein and 4.7% of lactose. Total cholesterol (CH), plasma triglycerides (TGp), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), albumin (ALB), non-esterified free fatty acids (NEFA) levels, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) ac-tivities were analyzed in the plasma and liver triglycerides (TGl) levels were determined in liver tissue samples. The SPSS statistical software was used for the statistical analyses. The obtained data were analyzed for normality by the Shapiro-Wilk test and for homoscedasticity by Bartlett test. Data were submitted to analysis of variance, and means were compared by the t-test (PROC TTEST). Pearson correlation test (PROC CORR) was used to compare the results between prepartum and postpartum cows, and between those with and without lipidosis. An overall incidence of 20% severe hepatic lipidosis was determined both in prepartum and postpartum cows. Positive significant correlations were obtained between days in milk (DIM) and AST (r= 0.43; P < 0.01), CH and TGp (r= 0.44; P < 0.01), TGl and AST (r=0.32; P < 0.05), NEFA and AST (r= 0.45; P < 0.01) and CK and AST (r= 0.447; P < 0.01). Negative significant correlations were detected between TGp and DIM (r= -0.45; P < 0.01), and between TGl and TGp (r= -0.30; P < 0.05). Discussion: Prepartum cows showed moderate fat infiltration in the liver, while 25.7% of postpartum cows presented severe lipidosis. AST values increased as lactation progressed, suggesting a greater tendency of liver damage, in early postpartum. The obtained CK values were within the reference range, except for the cows with hepatic lipidosis, indicat¬ing that the measured AST activity was originated from the liver and not from the muscle tissues. TGp, NEFA and AST values indicate the degree of fat mobilization and, possibly, liver infiltration, while TGl indicates fat infiltration in the liver. Although negative energy balance (NEB) may trigger lipolysis and some degree of hepatic lipidosis, plasma BHB values did not significantly increase. The obtained results show that the evaluated plasma parameters may be useful to establish guidelines for the identification of changes in the metabolic profile of dairy cows during different production stages, as well as measures for the prevention and control of metabolic disorders

Administration of early post-partum oral drench in dairy cows: effect on metabolic profile

Some prophylactic treatments have been proposed in high-yielding dairy cattle in order to minimize the effects of negative energy balance and some disturbances such as hypocalcaemia and ketosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two doses of Drench within 24 h after calving on the metabolic profile and prevention of ketosis. A total of 48 cows from a herd in Rio Grande do Sul state (southern Brazil) was used in the study. The animals were randomly selected and treated orally with Drench (N= 32, propylene glycol, electrolytes and choline in 40 L of water) and water (N= 16) used as control. Blood samples were collected by blood coccygeal venipuncture through a vacutainer plain system tubes. Biochemical determinations were performed in serum (albumin, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids -NEFA-, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, aspartate transaminase -AST- and gammaglutamyl-transferase -GGT-) and a cow-side determination of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) was performed using the Abbot blood Precision Xtra system. All cows in the experiment had their milk production controlled. The Drench treatment produces a tendency to a better milk yield (32.5 vs 29.6 L/cow/day) and helps to prevent subclinical ketosis, as indicated by a lesser prevalence of subclinical ketosis (29.7 vs 37.2%) and mean values of BHB (1.19 vs 1.27 mmol/L) as well as a lesser lipolysis as indicated by NEFA values (509 vs 1.560 µmol/L).  The other components of the metabolic profile did not have substantial effects between treatments. In short, on the conditions of the present work, the Drench treatment is an effective management tool for prevention of subclinical ketosis and severe lipolysis

Clinical and laboratory aspects of a bovine with left displacement of the abomasum

Background: Abomasal diseases of dairy cattle are mainly associated with stress conditions, nutritional disorders and metabolic disorders. Dairy cattle that develop left or right abomasal displacement generally lose their appetite and have 30 to 50% drop in milk production. The objective of this work is to report the clinical and laboratorial aspects of a high yielding Holstein cow suffering left abomasal displacement in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Case: The cow was part of a research project of the Veterinary Faculty of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and was monitored weekly. The animal showed decreased milk production, anorexia, prostration, tremors, diarrhea, smelly metritis and a body score of 3 in a scale of 1-5. In the clinical examination, the animal presented respiratory rate of 26 movements per minute (RV: 26-35), heart rate of 71 beats per minute (RV: 48-84), body temperature of 38.5°C (RV: 38- 39.3), normocorate mucosa, moderate dehydration and no ruminal movements. In the abdominal auscultation the animal presented metallic sound in the left flank. Blood concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate was 8.3 mmol/L (RV: < 1.2 mmol/L). The cow underwent surgery for correction of left abomasum displacement. After surgery, the animal showed improvement of the clinical condition and ate hay, pasture and silage. Feeding with concentrate was avoided for a week. The animal had satisfactory evolution, being monitored for more 4 weeks and afterward was discharge Discussion: Genetic improvement in milk cattle has led to the selection of animals with higher milk production through the selection of animals with deeper body capacity, which may allow more space in the abdomen for abomasal movement. In the present case, clinical ketosis was confirmed through the presence of ketonuria and ketonemia. Ketosis is caused by excess ketone bodies in organic fluids, with or without clinical signs. The impact of their disorder may be related to weight loss of the animal and occurrence of secondary diseases, as abomasal displacement. The blood activity of AST, an enzyme used as an indicator of liver damage, was increase (352 U/L; RV: < 132). Elevated activity of this enzyme is related to a greater tendency to problems such as retention of placenta and hypocalcemia, among others. In the present case, the most likely is that the animal had a high body score at the time of calving, and reduced dry matter intake. After that, the cow probably initiated a hepatic lipidosis, which is common in cases of ketosis. A decrease in the production of cholesterol occurred (68 mg/dL; RV: 80-120) further aggravated by the hepatic steatosis. With ketosis the animal decreased further the dry matter intake, anad as a consequence of all of the aforementioned factors, retention of placenta and subsequent metritis may occurred, further reducing feed ingestion. Finally, all the associated problems caused the abomasum displacement worsening the condition of the animal. This clinical case confirms the importance of having good pre and postpartum management. The animal presented interrelated diseases that are frequently cause and effect for the overall picture

Risk factors associated to retained placenta in Holstein cows

Background: Retained placenta (RP) is characterized by a failure to remove the fetal membranes within the first 12-24 h after calving. This condition appears to be related to a decrease in neutrophil activity and to the suppression of the immune response in the prepartum period. The specific reasons for some cows to retain the placenta after parturition is still not fully understood, but numerous predisposing factors have been related, which may include mechanical, nutritional, infectious and handling factors. The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence of retained placenta in dairy cows and to correlate the main predisposing factors related. Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted in nine dairy farms located in the Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, with an average of 45 lactating dairy cows producing 10,100 kg / dairy cow in a period of 305 days. The total diet for postpartum cows was estimated to meet or exceed the requirements of dairy cows according to previously established guidelines (NRC 2001). A total of 393 calving Holstein cows (126 primiparous and 267 multiparous) were analyzed, of which 203 were kept in a semi-confined production system (free-stall and pasture system) and 190 animals were kept in a free-stall production system. Statistically, the cows were the experimental unit, and the results were analyzed using the Pearson’s Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test for the comparisons of occurrence of peripartum disorders. In addition, linear and logistic regression models were constructed to determine the effect of the dependent variable on the other indicators, which may be continuous or categorical. Possible correlations of the occurrence of peripartum disorders related to production system (free-stall or semi-confined), calving order (primiparous or multiparous), season of the year (heat or cold), ECC at calving (1 to 5), calf sex, rectal temperature and dystocia were analyzed. Of the 393 deliveries followed up in this study, 72 presented retained placenta as a postpartum complication. Cows that delivered male calves had a 3.45 times higher chance of presenting dystocia birth (P = 0.0007) and had 1.85 times more chances of presenting placental retention (P = 0.066) when compared to cows with female calves. Cows with dystocia were more likely to present RP (P = 0.0433). Twin pregnancies increased 3.9 times chances of RP (P = 0.0193). Discussion: The incidence of RP in our study was 18.3%, which is close to the previously reported by another Brazilian study (22%) and similar to another study that also verified the risk factor indicators (19.9%). Dystocia, twin births and male births were predisposing factors for RP, similarly to previous studies. The frequency of dystocia was significantly affected by the production system employed, with the semi-confined system presenting more cases of dystocia, unlike other studies. The season of the year had no influence in the RP occurrence, unlike other studies that showed RP may have an increase in spring and summer months. A possible correlation between RP and body condition score at calving and with the production system employed was not observed. The limited options of effective treatments for RP emphasizes the importance of prevention. RP prevention includes the reduction of stressful factors, especially in the peripartum period, with a focus one nutrition and animal health

Caracterização antigênica e molecular de amostras de herpesvírus bovino

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Eficácia da administração de drench em vacas recém paridas na prevenção de cetose, hipocalcemia subclínica e seu efeito sobre a qualidade do leite

Alguns tratamentos profiláticos têm sido propostos em vacas leiteiras de alta produção a fim de minimizar os efeitos do balanço energético negativo e alguns distúrbios como hipocalcemia, cetose e doenças do periparto. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da administração de duas doses de Drench em até 24 h depois do parto sobre a produção e a qualidade do leite e a prevenção de transtornos metabólicos. Foram utilizadas 129 vacas da raça Holandesa localizadas nas regiões da Serra Gaúcha e do Planalto Médio do Rio Grande do Sul em condições de free-stall (intensiva) ou de semi-confinamento. Um grupo de 72 animais foi selecionado aleatoriamente e tratado com Drench e outro grupo de 57 vacas foi utilizado como controle. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas por punção venosa ou arterial coccígea, através do sistema vacutainer, em tubos sem anticoagulante e tubos com anticoagulante (EDTA). Foram realizadas determinações bioquímicas no soro (proteína total, albumina, ureia, colesterol, glicose, triglicerídeos, NEFA, Ca, P, Mg, AST e GGT), hematológicas (hematócrito e hemoglobina) e na propriedade, ao pé da vaca, foi feita a determinação do beta-hidroxibutirato no sangue com o sistema Abbot Precision Xtra. Todas as vacas do experimento tiveram sua produção leiteira controlada mensalmente. O Drench não ajudou a prevenir a cetose subclínica, mas aumentou a produção de leite. Este trabalho ainda quantificou a incidência de casos de cetose subclínica, cetose clínica e hipocalcemia subclínica nos rebanhos. Em suma, nas condições do presente trabalho, o Drench não pode ser considerado eficaz, como ferramenta de manejo para a prevenção de distúrbios metabólicos e melhoria na qualidade do leite.Some prophylactic treatments have been proposed in high-yielding dairy cattle in order to minimize the effects of negative energy balance and some disturbances such as hypocalcaemia, ketosis and periparturient diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two doses of Drench within 24 h after birth on the production and quality of milk and on the prevention of metabolic disorders. A total of 129 cows from Rio Grande do Sul state (southern Brazil) were used throughout the study. A group of 72 animals were randomly selected and treated with Drench and another group of 57 cows was used as control. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture or blood coccygeal through the vacutainer system, in tubes without anticoagulant and tubes with anticoagulant (EDTA). Biochemical determinations were performed in serum (total protein, albumin, urea, cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, NEFA, Ca, P, Mg, AST and GGT), hematologic (hematocrit and hemoglobin) and a cow-side determination of betahydroxybutyrate was performed using the Abbot blood Precision Xtra system. All cows in the experiment had their milk production controlled monthly. The Drench treatment did not help to prevent sub-clinical ketosis, but an increase in milk production was obtained. This work also quantified the incidence of subclinical ketosis, clinical ketosis and subclinical hypocalcemia in herds. In short, on the conditions of the present work, the Drench treatment is not an effective management tool for prevention of metabolic disorders and improvement in quality of milk

Boletín oficial de la provincia de Santander: Año XXVII Número 141 - 1963 Noviembre 25

As doenças uterinas em vacas leiteiras podem ser classificadas como a retenção de placenta, metrite, endometrite clínica e endometrite subclínica. A metrite consiste em uma reação inflamatória severa que envolve todas as camadas do útero com presença de corrimento vaginal fétido de coloração marrom avermelhada que pode ocorrer até três semanas pós-parto. Esse distúrbio pode ser classificado em metrite puerperal aguda que se caracteriza por apresentar sinais sistêmicos da doença e metrite clínica sem sinais sistêmicos da doença. Endometrite em vacas leiteiras tem sido definida como uma inflamação do endométrio ocorrendo 21 dias ou mais após o parto, sem sinais sistêmicos da doença. Essa doença pode ocorrer na forma clínica e na forma subclínica. As doenças uterinas pós-parto são importantes por razões de bem-estar animal e produção animal, já que elas contribuem para o desconforto e para a eliminação da vaca do rebanho. Esse estudo foi conduzido em nove propriedades leiteiras comerciais localizadas na Serra Gaúcha, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, de setembro de 2016 até novembro de 2017. No total, 393 vacas leiteiras imediatamente após o parto da raça holandesa (126 primíparas e 267 multíparas) foram incluídas nesse estudo, sendo 203 animais em sistema de produção de confinamento com acesso ao pasto e 190 animais em sistema de produção de confinamento. As fazendas leiteiras tinham em média 45 vacas em lactação e eram ordenhadas duas vezes ao dia com média de produção de leite em 305 dias de 9.500 kg/vaca para o sistema condenado com acesso ao pasto e 10.700 kg/vaca para o sistema confinado. O sistema confinado com acesso ao pasto foi composto por cinco propriedades e era caracterizado pelo acesso à pastagem rotativa, enquanto o sistema de confinamento foi composto por quatro propriedades sem acesso à pastagem. Para determinar a frequência de doenças uterinas clínicas foi realizado o diagnóstico do conteúdo vaginal em todos os animais do estudo utilizando o dispositivo Metricheck, para o diagnóstico de endometrite subclínica foi realizada a citologia uterina mediante cytobrush. As doenças metabólicas foram diagnosticadas através da análise bioquímica do soro. Os ovários foram avaliados quanto à presença de corpo lúteo e presença de folículos, na sétima semana pós-parto 345 animais iniciaram o mesmo protocolo de inseminação artificial em tempo fixo. O estudo diagnosticou doenças uterinas, doenças metabólicas e a suas correlações e avaliou a taxa de concepção no primeiro serviço dos rebanhos. As prevalências das doenças uterinas foram 18,3% de retenção de placenta, 32,3% de metrite, 40,1% de endometrite clínica e 37,1% de endometrite subclínica. A incidência de metrite na primeira semana pós-parto foi de 22,6%, na segunda semana pós-parto foi de 8,6% e na terceira semana pós-parto de 1%. A incidência de endometrite clínica foi de 33,7%, 5,3% e 2,5% na primeira, segunda e terceira semana pós-parto respectivamente. E a endometrite subclínica apresentou uma incidência de 22,9% e 14,2% na quarta e sexta semana pós-parto respectivamente. As taxas de concepção no primeiro serviço não se diferiram entre as vacas que apresentaram doenças uterinas quando comparadas com vacas saudáveis. Parâmetros metabólicos têm efeito mais pronunciado na retenção de placenta e na metrite no desenvolvimento de doenças uterinas. As primíparas em confinamento com acesso ao pasto tiveram índices de gestação na primeira inseminação artificial reduzidos em relação as primíparas em sistema de confinamento. Apenas a endometrite clínica causou uma tendência de pior desempenho reprodutivo. Mais estudos devem ser conduzidos para avaliar o efeito do sistema de produção na região do Rio Grande do Sul.Uterine diseases in dairy cows can be classified as retained placenta, metritis, clinical endometritis and subclinical endometritis. Metritis consists of a severe inflammatory reaction that involves all the layers of the uterus with presence of fetid vaginal discharge of reddish-brown color that can occur until three weeks postpartum. This disorder may be classified into acute puerperal metritis characterized by systemic signs of disease and clinical metritis without systemic signs of the disease. Endometritis in dairy cows has been defined as an inflammation of the endometrium occurring 21 days or more postpartum, with no systemic signs of the disease. This disease may occur clinically and sub clinically. Postpartum uterine diseases are important for animal welfare and animal production reasons, as they contribute to the discomfort and elimination of the cow from the herd. This study was conducted in nine commercial dairy farms located in the Serra Gaúcha, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from September 2016 to November 2017. A total of 393 Holstein dairy cows immediately after calving (126 primiparous and 267 multiparous) were included in this study, 203 animals in a confinement (free-stall) production system with access to pasture and 190 animals in confinement (free-stall) production system. Dairy farms had on average 45 lactating cows and were milked twice daily with average milk yield in 305 days of 9,500 kg / cow for the condemned system with access to pasture and 10,700 kg / cow for the confined system. The confined pasture access system consisted of five properties and was characterized by access to rotational pasture, while the confinement system consisted of four properties without pasture access. To determine the frequency of clinical uterine diseases, the diagnosis of vaginal contents was performed in all animals of the study using the Metricheck device, for the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis uterine cytology was performed using cytobrush. Metabolic diseases were diagnosed through biochemical analysis of serum. The ovaries were evaluated for the presence of corpus luteum and presence of follicles. At the seventh week postpartum 345 animals started the same artificial insemination fixed time protocol. The study diagnosed uterine diseases, metabolic diseases and their correlations and evaluated the conception rate in the first service of the herds. The prevalence of uterine diseases was 18.3% of retained placenta, 32.3% of metritis, 40.1% of clinical endometritis and 37.1% of subclinical endometritis. The incidence of metritis in the first week postpartum was 22.6%, in the second week postpartum was 8.6% and in the third week postpartum 1%. The incidence of clinical endometritis was 33.7%, 5.3% and 2.5% in the first, second and third postpartum weeks, respectively. And subclinical endometritis presented an incidence of 22.9% and 14.2% in the fourth and sixth postpartum weeks, respectively. Design rates in the first service were not different among cows that had uterine diseases when compared to healthy cows. Metabolic parameters have a more pronounced effect on placental retention and metritis in the development of uterine diseases. primiparous with access to pasture had conception rates at the first artificial insemination reduced compared to the primiparous in the confinement system. Only clinical endometritis caused a trend of poor reproductive performance. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the effect of the production system in the region of Rio Grande do Sul