Peripartum haptoglobinemia identifies dairy cows at risk for retained placenta and metritis

Haptoglobin is an acute phase protein produced primarily in the liver in response to proinflammatory cytokines. Increased haptoglobinemia has been associated with several diseases in dairy cattle including mastitis, peritonitis, metritis, endometritis, and pneumonia. Retained placenta and metritis are postpartum uterine conditions that affect up to 15% and 20% of cows, respectively. Although conflicting data are reported on the direct detrimental impact of retained placenta and metritis on subsequent reproduction, these conditions have been associated with increased odds of endometritis and delayed ovulation later in the postpartum period, which may impair reproductive performance. Prediction of risk or early diagnosis ofretained placenta or metritis could be used to reduce their impacts. The objective of this study was to determine whether peripartum haptoglobinemia can be used to predict retained placenta and metritis in dairy cows.