Increased incidence of retained placenta associated with heat stress in dairy cows

A dairy herd experienced an increased incidence of retained placenta and postpartum metritis during late spring and summer of 1977 and 1978. The incidence of retained placenta and postpartum metritis was 24.05% during the period of May through September compared to 12.24% the rest of the year. The gestation period of cows having retained placenta and postpartum metritis was an average of 5.25 days shorter than that of cows not exhibiting these symptoms. The gestation period of cows calving during the warm season was an average of 2.82 days shorter than that of the cows calving during the cool season. Heat stress resulting in early parturition was the probable cause of this increased incidence of retained placenta and postpartum metritis. The number of days open was influenced both by abnormal postpartum period and season of calving. Cows having retained placenta and metritis were open an average of 31.69 days longer than cows with normal postpartum periods. Cows that calved during the warm season were open an average of 24.42 days longer than those calving during the cool season.