Circulating Micrornas and Associated Gene Regulation in Puerperal Metritis in Dairy Cows

Dairy cows that calved recently are prone to uterine and metabolic disorders due to suppressed immune function and negative energy balance. Metritis is one of the most common uterine diseases of dairy cows diagnosed during puerperal period (first 10 days in milk). It is defined as presence of fetid reddish-brown watery vaginal discharge, systemic signs of illness with fever (rectal temperature of 103°F or greater). Cows that suffer from metritis associated with poor reproductive performance, including irregular estrous cycles, lower conception rates and greater intervals from calving to pregnancy. [...]