Endometritis in the sow : a review

During the last few years there has been an increasing number of piggeries dealing with a lowered fertility and an aberrant vaginal discharge 15 to 25 days after service or insemination. This discharge usually occurs just before the onset of estrus and the sows will be suffering from infertility for a longer period. These problems are probably caused by an unspecific ascending infection with facultative pathogenic bacteria. The outbreak of the infection depends on several factors such as the number of bacteria, the pathogenity of the infectious agent, the hormonal condition of the sow and the uterine defence. The importance of pathogens like Chlamydia psittaci, ureaplasmas, mycoplasmas and Campylobacter cryaerophilus is very doubtful. The therapy for endometritis in the sow can be carried out with antibiotics. A systemic or an intrauterine administration can be carried out, but until now there are no indications that such a treatment really has been effective. Some investigators advise a treatment of the boars, but there is no evidence for the effectivity of this treatment either. Therefore it is very important to take preventive measures such as hygienic precautions during service or insemination, insemination at the right time, prevention of urinary tract infections and a good pen hygiene