Puerperal uterine infections are often associated with decreased reproductive performance in dairy cows. Routine treatment protocols include the systemic administration of antibiotics. Antibiotic drugs, however, should be administered daily over at least 5 d. The objective of this study was to determine concentrations of ceftiofur derivatives in serum, endometrial tissue, and lochia after subcutaneous administration of ceftiofur crystalline free acid in 6 clinically healthy puerperal dairy cows with normal parturition. Samples were taken immediately before treatment, 2 h after, and then every 24 h over a 7-d period. Concentrations of ceftiofur derivatives were quantified using an HPLC assay. In serum and endometrial tissue, ceftiofur derivatives could be detected above the reported minimum drug concentrations required to inhibit relevant pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Arcanobacterium pyogenes over a 7-d period. Concentrations of desfuroylceftiofuracetamide at 5 d after administration of ceftiofur crystalline free acid were 1.21±0.61 μg/mL in serum, 0.86±0.61 μg/mg in endometrial tissue, and 0.96±1.15 μg/mL in lochia. In lochia, mean concentrations of ceftiofur derivatives also remained above the minimal inhibitory concentration of relevant pathogens, but showed greater variations between cows.

Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis (T. equigenitalis), is a venereal infection of equids which is of international concern to the equine breeding industry. A recent study showed a high prevalence of T. equigenitalis in Icelandic stallions when compared to stallions of other breeds also using for natural breeding. Consequently, the objectives of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of T. equigenitalis in Icelandic mares and geldings and to determine factors associated with a T. equigenitalis-positive qPCR result. In total, 361 Icelandic horses located in Southern Germany and Austria were tested for T. equigenitalis using a qPCR assay. An overall prevalence of 14.4 % was detected. Positive qPCR results were found in 2.2 % (3/134) of brood mares, 9.0 % (11/122) of maiden mares and in 36.2 % (38/105) of geldings. The odds for a T. equigenitalis-positive qPCR result were significantly lower in both brood (OR = 40.1, 95 % CI: 8.38-192, P < 0.001) and maiden mares (OR = 9.51, 95 % CI: 3.26-25.7, P < 0.001) when compared to geldings. Advancing age was not associated with higher odds for a T. equigenitalis-positive qPCR result (OR = 0.98, 95 % CI: 0.94-1.03, P = 0.51). However, horses of the younger age group showed significantly lower C_t values compared to horses of the older age group (P = 0.04). Furthermore, geldings showed significantly lower C_t values than brood (P < 0.03) and maiden mares (P < 0.001). This study showed a significantly higher prevalence of T. equigenitalis in Icelandic geldings compared to Icelandic mares. Icelandic geldings might therefore represent a reservoir for T. equigenitalis.

Behavioral problems in reproductively healthy mares are a challenging issue that is successfully treated with bilateral ovariectomy (BO). This laparoscopic procedure represents an alternative to conservative treatment for mares not intended for breeding and results in high owner satisfaction regarding behavioral improvement. However, a pathohistological explanation to justify surgical ovarian removal regarding animal welfare is lacking. Therefore, the objective of this study was to pathohistologically evaluate bilaterally removed, clinically unremarkable ovaries of mares with behavioral problems (bOE, n = 20) and to compare them with pathohistologically confirmed granulosa cell tumors of mares with neoplastic ovaries (GCT-uOE, n = 10). A complete data set including preliminary presentation, clinical examination, and serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and testosterone was further analyzed in both groups. Both hormones were significantly higher in GCT-uOE compared with bOE. Immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67, AMH, aromatase, epidermal growth factor receptor, calretinin, and epithelial cadherin in granulosa cells of large follicular structures in bOE did not differ from neoplastic granulosa cells in GCT-uOE. Ultrasonographically nondetectable early neoplastic changes were pathohistologically evaluated in 15% of mares and anovulatory-like follicles in 30% of mares in bOE and might be one explanation for the high success rate of BO in 85% of bOE in this study.

Background: Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is caused by Taylorella equigenitalis . It is a venereal disease that is detected in some breeds more than others and can cause temporary infertility with substantial costs for regular testing, sanitation and retesting. There was a perceived increase in T. equigenitalis ‐positive cases in Icelandic intact males where natural cover is common. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of T. equigenitalis in Icelandic intact males and compare to draught horse and Haflinger intact males. We hypothesised that prevalence of T. equigenitalis is higher in Icelandic compared with draught and Haflinger intact males. Study design: Cross sectional. Methods: Swabs from 76 Icelandic, 35 Haflinger, and 51 draught horse intact males were collected on 38 different farms and analysed by qPCR. Animals were further stratified into active breeding and non‐breeding animals and age groups (1.5–7.0 and 8.0–26.0 years). Fisher's exact tests and mixed effect logistic regression with ‘farm’ as random effect were used to estimate differences in odds for T. equigenitalis ‐positive test results. Results: The overall prevalence of T. equigenitalis in included intact males was 16.7% (27/162). The odds for T. equigenitalis ‐positive intact males were significantly higher in Icelandic compared with draught and Haflinger intact males (Odds ratio [OR] = 6.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.43–28.8, p = 0.02). Odds for T. equigenitalis ‐positive intact males were significantly lower in active breeding compared with non‐breeding animals (OR = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.01–0.54, p = 0.009). Age had no significant influence on test results. Main limitations: Convenience sampling with regional restrictions to Southern Germany and Austria, small sample size. Conclusions: Significantly higher odds for T. equigenitalis‐ positive intact males were found within Icelandic over draught and Haflinger and within non‐breeding animals compared with active breeding animals. Findings suggest that non‐breeding animals could be a reservoir for T. equigenitalis . Testing for CEM should therefore be routinely performed in Icelandic horses prior to breeding and investigations into epidemiology and reservoirs on affected farms should be initiated.