An Overview of Postpartum Uterine Infection in the Dairy Cow: Mechanisms by which Infection Affects Fertility
1. November 2008
Fertility in dairy cattle has been declining over the last few years. Uterine disease has been pinpointed as one of
the main contributors to reduced fertility in dairy cattle and affects almost all postpartum cows. Understanding
the mechanisms by which uterine disease leads to reduced fertility in cattle will aid the development of new
strategies to reduce the incidence of uterine infection and improve fertility. This paper provides an overview of
how postpartum uterine infection with bacteria, in particular Escherichia coli, affects fertility in dairy cows.
Keywords: Uterus, infection, postpartum, bacteria, Escherichia coli, ovary, fertility
