| Abstract: | The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship of progesterone (P4),
bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein-1 (bPAG-1) and nitric oxide (NO) levels with late
embryonic (LEM; day 28 to day 42) and early fetal mortalities (EFM; > day 42 to day 56)
in dairy cows. Transrectal ultrasonography (6–8 MHz) was performed in 100
Holstein-Friesian cows at days 28, 42 and 56 after artificial insemination (AI; day 0) to
diagnose pregnancy and to monitor the fate of the embryo. After ultrasound scanning of
each cow, a milk sample was collected for assessment of P4 by an ELISA test and a blood
sample was collected for assessment of bPAG-1, by using a double-antibody
radioimmunoassay, and serum NO metabolites (nitrate + nitrite). Based on ultrasonographic
examinations and bPAG-1-RIA, 41 of 100 inseminated cows were confirmed pregnant at day 28
after AI. Nine cows suffered of LEM, and 6 cows suffered of EFM and the overall pregnancy
loss rate was 36.6% (15/41) between days 28 and 56 of pregnancy. By logistic regression
analysis, there were no significant relationships between the level of P4 and bPAG-1 at
day 28 after AI and the occurrence of LEM and EFM. Also, there were no significant
relationships between the levels of P4 and bPAG-1 at day 42 and the occurrence of EFM. On
the other hand, a significant relationship (P<0.05) was found between NO level at day
28 and the occurrence of LEM. In conclusion, measurement of the serum NO concentration at
day 28 of pregnancy might help to predict the outcome of pregnancy by day 42 in dairy cows
but further studies are needed to confirm this. |
