Uterine involution in Finnish dairy cows

The effect of parity on the cervical and uterine involution was studied in 79 Finnish dairy cows on a research farm. The cows were examined clinically by rectal palpation 3 times a week during 8 weeks postpartum. The diameters of the cervix and uterine horns were estimated manually. The parous uterine horn was compared with the non-parous one. The results were separately analysed in primiparous cows (n = 18) and in those with the third calving (n = 61). A significant difference (p less than 0.001) between the parous and non-parous uterine horns was obtained until 21 days. Thereafter, involution still continued and equal diameters for the horns were not found until 5 weeks after parturition. A decline of the cervical diameter continued until 30 days after the delivery. The parity had no significant effect on the swiftness of uterine or cervical involution. However, in multiparous cows the cervical diameter remained larger than that in the primiparous animals still at 8 weeks postpartum.     

The monitoring, prevention, and treatment of milk fever and subclinical hypocalcemia in dairy cows

The periparturient cow undergoes a transition from non-lactating to lactating at calving. The animal is tremendously challenged to maintain calcium homeostasis. Those that fail can develop milk fever, a clinical disorder that is life threatening to the cow and predisposes the animal to a variety of other disorders. Guidelines for monitoring the incidence of hypocalcemia and methods for treating milk fever are reviewed. The physiological factors that cause milk fever and strategies for prevention of milk fever are discussed, focusing on the effects diet cation-anion difference can have on tissue sensitivity to parathyroid hormone. Another major risk factor for milk fever is hypomagnesemia, which is observed when animals are fed inadequate amounts of magnesium, or some factor is present in the diet that prevents adequate absorption of magnesium. Moderate hypomagnesemia impairs the ability of the cow to maintain calcium homeostasis and hypocalcemia occurs.     

Post partum subclinical hypocalcaemia and effects on ovarian function and uterine involution in a dairy herd.

Episodes of subclinical hypocalcaemia occurred in the first 6 weeks after calving in 6 out of 12 multiparous Friesian cows calving in the winter period and 7 out of 23 calving in the summer in a subtropical environment. In the winter calving group, there were significant (P< 0.05) decreases in mean plasma calcium concentrations (PTCa) on days 6, 27 and 36 after calving in those animals unable to maintain PTCa >2.0 mmol/L in the first 21 days. These cows had a significantly higher mean body weight and higher mean milk production than normocalcaemic cows. In the summer calving group, the seven cows with episodes of subclinical hypocalcaemia had significantly lower mean PTCa over periods of 21 and 60 days. Intervals until involution of the uterus were negatively (P< 0.05) correlated with mean PTCa over the first 21 and 30 days after calving in the winter and summer calving groups (r = -0.62 and -0.42), respectively. The mean size of the first ovulated follicles was significantly smaller in cows showing episodes of subclinical hypocalcaemia in the winter group and the mean number of ovulatory size follicles was less in these cows at 15 days (P< 0.001) (1.2 +/- 0.17 vs 2.3 +/- 0.21) and at 30 days (P< 0.03) (3.5 +/- 0.43 vs 5.2 +/- 0.54). During the first three dioestrus periods, mean plasma progesterone concentration as a function of corpus luteum area was significantly lower (P< 0.05) in the cows with episodes of subclinical hypocalcaemia in the winter group.     

Effect of feeding on reproductive performance in Finnish dairy cows

The effect of 2 types of feeding on the involution of the genital tract and on the fertility was studied in 79 Finnish dairy cows on a research farm. The cows were fed twice a day with home-produced feed in accordance with the Finnish feeding standard. The cows were divided according to the type of feed into a hay-urea group and a silage group. The cows were examined clinically by rectal palpation 3 times a week during 8 weeks postpartum. The time required for the complete involution of uterus and cervix was recorded. The cows in the silage group had a significantly longer time in uterine involution, a lower fertility rate at first insemination and a longer interval from calving to conception than those in the hay-urea group. The pregnancy rate in the first insemination was in the hay-urea group 91% and in the silage group 57%. The interval between calving and the first insemination was shorter in the hay-urea group than in the silage group: 71.4 +/- 10.6 and 74.0 +/- 10.3 days, respectively. The interval between calving and conception was in the hay-urea group significantly (p less than 0.01) shorter than in the silage group; 74.8 +/- 15.1 and 89.5 +/- 24.4 days, respectively.     

The events of normal and abnormal postpartum reproductive endocrinology and uterine involution in dairy cows: a review

The results of numerous hormonal profile studies in the dairy cow are reviewed with respect to specific hormone changes in the early postpartum period, and factors contributing to the onset of cyclic reproductive activity. Variations from the normal pattern of postpartum hormonal activity or uterine involution are reviewed also. The normal involutionary changes of the bovine uterus are discussed.     

奶牛低血钙早期预警指标的确立与评估

为了早期预测奶牛分娩时发生低血钙症的可能性,本试验在黑龙江省A和B两个集约化牛场(均有250多头泌乳牛)随机选取产前15~2d和分娩当天奶牛作为实验动物。通过检测试验奶牛分娩当天组血浆钙浓度,明确分娩奶牛低血钙症发病率;通过检测试验奶牛产前和分娩当天血浆中镁离子(Mg2+)、钾离子(K+)和无机磷(P3+)的浓度,阐明奶牛产前血浆中各离子水平与低血钙症的关系,对产后低血钙症发生风险起到预警作用。结果显示:产后低血钙症在牧场A的发病率为90.32%,在牧场B为86.67%;两牧场产前奶牛与分娩当天奶牛的血浆P3+、K+、Mg2+差异极显著,血浆P3+、Mg2+水平与血钙水平呈显著的正相关,血浆K+水平与血钙水平并没有显著的相关性。根据受试牛工作特征曲线(ROC)分析确定了牧场A产前预警值为血浆Ca2+2.11mmol/L,敏感度为100%,特异度为88.2%;血浆P3+1.83 mmol/L,敏感度为75.0%,特异度为82.4%。牧场B产前预警值为血浆Ca2+2.12mmol/L,敏感度为98.7%,特异度为88.5%;血浆P3+1.90 mmol/L,敏感度为98.7%,特异度为65.4%。结论:奶牛产前血浆Ca2+和P3+浓度超过预警值可作为奶牛产后低血钙发生的早期风险预测依据。     

The effect of subclinical Mycobacterium paratuberculosis infection on days open in Michigan, USA, dairy cows

A prospective cohort study design was used to evaluate the impact of subclinical Mycobacterium paratuberculosis infection on days open in a sample of Michigan dairy herds with a history of cows positive for M. paratuberculosis diagnosed by fecal culture. Participating herds were tested and productivity and reproduction records were monitored for 18 months. All cows > or = 24 months old were tested for M. paratuberculosis infection using the ELISA and radiometric fecal-culture (RFC) techniques. Test-negative cows were re-tested at the conclusion of the monitoring period. Multivariable regression models were used. Using both tests in parallel, the overall sample apparent prevalence for M. paratuberculosis infection was 41.8% (223/533 animals tested). Adjusting for diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, this resulted in a calculated sample true prevalence of 59.9%. ELISA-positive cows (on average) had a 28-day increase in days open when compared to ELISA-negative cows (p=0.02). The diagnostic method used to define a case altered the apparent association between paratuberculosis test status and days open. Fecal culture was a less-effective diagnostic tool for use in herds with a high prevalence of infected animals. The increase in days open in the ELISA-positive cows was an indication that perhaps reduced estrus expression or an increased post-partum anestrous period occurred in the subclinically infected ELISA-positive animals. This might have been due to a negative energy balance associated with M. paratuberculosis infection.     

Alterations in biochemical profiles and reproduction performance in postpartum dairy cows with metritis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biochemical profile and reproductive performance in postpartum dairy cows with clinical metritis. The research was carried out using performed on 213 pluriparous lactating cows from two dairy herds in southeast Brazil. Dairy cows were assigned into a group of healthy cows (n = 147) and cows with metritis (n = 66). Blood samples to assess serum albumin, cholesterol, fibrinogen, calcium, gamma-glutammyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations were performed on day 8 ± 2 postpartum. Metritic cows had lower (p < .05) serum albumin, cholesterol and calcium concentration, and higher (p < .05) GGT and AST activity, and BHBA and fibrinogen concentrations when compared to the healthy group. The calving-to-conception interval and services per pregnancy were higher in metritic cows (p < .01) than in healthy cows and the conception rate at first service was lower in metric group (p < .01). Variable importance in projection plots demonstrated that cholesterol was the main discriminator between metritic and healthy cows. Our results indicated alterations in the biochemical profile and impaired reproduction performance in metritic cows.     

Protein expression in dairy cows with and without subclinical hypocalcaemia

AIM: To determine differences in plasma proteomic profiles between healthy cows and those with subclinical hypocalcaemia within 12 hours after calving, and thereby explore the underlying biological mechanism of subclinical hypocalcaemia in dairy cows.

METHODS: Plasma samples were collected within 6 hours of calving from Holstein cows on a farm in Heilongjiang, China; 32 with subclinical hypocalcaemia (plasma calcium concentration 1.38–2.00?mmol/L and no clinical signs) and 59 control cows (plasma calcium concentration 2.10–2.8?mmol/L). Plasma samples were applied to weak cationic exchange protein chips for protein profiling by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS), and the data were analysed using the PBS-IIC system. The amplitude of peaks for the two groups were compared using the Wilcoxon sum-rank test, and the mass-to-charge ratio of the peaks that differed was used to identify peptide fragments using the Swiss-Prot protein database.

RESULTS: Seven peaks were identified in the subclinical hypocalcaemia group that differed from those of the control group (p<0.001), that represented six unique proteins. Expression of serum albumin, fibrinogen alpha chain, amyloid beta A4 proteins and neurosecretory protein VGF were increased, and expression of apolipoprotein A-II and serum amyloid A proteins were decreased in the subclinical hypocalcaemic cows compared with control cows.

CONCLUSION: Use of SELDI-TOF-MS technology can effectively identify differences in plasma protein expression patterns in cows with subclinical hypocalcaemia. Neurosecretory protein VGF and amyloid beta A4 protein might represent useful biomarkers for diagnosis of subclinical hypocalcaemia.     

Long‐term impact of puerperal metritis on the profiles of peripheral blood leukocytes in peripartum dairy cows

To determine the effects of puerperal metritis on the immune response, changes in the differential peripheral blood leukocyte counts were analyzed during the peripartum period in cows with or without metritis. Multiparous Holstein cows were examined for uterine health disorders and classified into two groups: healthy (n = 11) or metritis (n = 5) cows. The lymphocyte and monocyte counts and the proportion of CD8⁺ lymphocytes were higher in cows with metritis compared to healthy cows. Moreover, the effects of puerperal metritis on the lymphocyte counts and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio persisted weeks after the uterine inflammation had self‐resolved. Taken together, the findings of the present study indicate the possible long‐term alterations of systemic immune responses in cows with puerperal uterine inflammation. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

亚临床酮病奶牛的氧化抗氧化状态和乳品质

为研究亚临床酮病奶牛的氧化应激状态及其对奶牛乳品质的影响,分别选取21头亚临床酮病奶牛和21头健康奶牛,通过尾静脉采集非抗凝血,用于氧化抗氧化指标的检测;同时收集新鲜乳样,用于乳成分的检测。结果表明,与健康奶牛相比,亚临床酮病奶牛的总抗氧化能力、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、乳蛋白和总固形物活性、血清葡萄糖显著或极显著降低(P<0.05;P<0.01),乳脂肪比、非酯化脂肪酸、β-羟基丁酸、丙二醛含量显著或极显著升高(P<0.05;P<0.01)。由此可见,亚临床酮病奶牛体内存在氧化应激,主要抗氧化酶活性降低,并且氧化应激状态显著高于健康奶牛,乳品质低于健康奶牛。     

Pharmacokinetics of azithromycin in lactating dairy cows with subclinical mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Lucas, M. F., Errecalde, J. O., Mestorino, N. Pharmacokinetics of azithromycin in lactating dairy cows with subclinical mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 33 , 132–140. Azithromycin is a time‐dependent antimicrobial with long persistence. The main characteristics of azithromycin suggest that it could be useful for treating bovine mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus. To investigate this possibility, its pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior was studied. Six Holstein lactating cows with subclinical mastitis were administered two 10 mg/kg intramuscular (i.m.) doses of azithromycin, with a 48‐h interval. Milk and plasma concentrations were measured by microbiological assay. The MIC₉₀ was determined in 51 S. aureus isolations to calculate pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) parameters. Milk maximal concentration (C_max) was 7.76 ± 1.76 μg/mL (16.67 h post‐first administration) and 7.82 ± 2.18 μg/mL (14 h post‐2^nd administration). In plasma C_max was 0.18 ± 0.03 μg/mL (2 h post‐1^rst administration) and 0.11 ± 0.03 μg/mL (14 h post‐2^nd administration). Azithromycin was eliminated from the milk with a half‐life (T½λ) of 158.26 ± 137.7 h after 2^nd administration, meanwhile plasma T½λ resulted shorter(13.97 ± 11.1 h). The mean area under the concentration vs. time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC_0‐24h) was 153.82 ± 34.66 μg·h/mL in milk secretion and 2.61 ± 0.59 μg·h/mL in plasma. Infection presence in the quarters had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the area under the concentration vs. time curve from 0 to infinity (AUC_0‐∞) and clearance from the mammary gland (Cl_mam/F). Moreover, it had influence on milk bioavailability (F_milk), T½λ, AUC_0‐∞ and mean residence time (MRT) in milk, which values resulted increased in mastitic quarters. In this study, it was determined that the production level and the mammary health status have an influence on PK parameters of azithromycin treatments in bovine mastitis.     

康贝防治奶牛隐性乳房炎疗效观察及对乳汁体细胞数的影响

奶牛乳房炎的研究至今已有100多年的历史,虽然取得一些令人可喜的成果,但奶牛乳房炎仍是当今奶牛场的常发病和难以防治的疾病之一.特别是奶牛隐性乳房炎,由于无明显的临床症状,隐蔽性强,发病率高,主要影响奶牛泌乳量和乳汁的质量,造成严重损失,是影响世界乳业发展的重要因素之一.奶牛隐性乳房炎在我国发病率较高,据笔者调查表明,河北省部分地区奶牛隐性乳房炎发病率高,乳区阳性率为40.1%,头阳性率为68.45%,这与其他学者报道相符[1、2、3].自1945年抗生素应用到兽医临床上以来,奶牛乳房炎的防治有了重大突破.但是由于抗生素的滥用,致使病原抗药性增强,且高药物残留等问题一直是困扰兽医工作人员的难题.因此寻求一种高效、绿色、简便易行的防制奶牛隐性乳房炎的方法一直是兽医科技人员的研究热点.康贝是一种生物活性制剂,不含有任何激素及抗生素.本试验的目的在于试验研究康贝对奶牛隐性乳房炎的防治作用,试验包括康贝防治奶牛隐性乳房炎疗效观察、康贝对奶牛血液流变学指标的影响及康贝清除氧自由基试验等内容,现将康贝防治奶牛隐性乳房炎疗效及对乳汁体细胞的影响做一初报,其他内容另文发表.     

Impact of metritis on the generation of reactive oxygen species by circulating phagocytes and plasma lipopolysaccharide concentration in peripartum dairy cows

This study examined the relationship between postpartum metritis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration in peripartum dairy cows. Blood was collected twice weekly from 2 weeks prepartum through 6 weeks postpartum. Whole blood chemiluminescence (WBCL) was measured using the luminol‐enhanced zymosan‐stimulated chemiluminescence assay. Cows were examined for uterine health disorders and classified into two groups, healthy (n = 11) and metritis (n = 5). Metritis had a significant effect on WBCL, with cows with metritis having a higher WBCL. Plasma LPS concentrations in cows with metritis were significantly higher than in healthy cows. To examine the effect of LPS on WBCL, blood was sampled in healthy peripartum cows (1 to 2 weeks prepartum, n = 8; 0 to 3 weeks postpartum, n = 11; and 4 to 8 weeks postpartum, n = 8) and incubated with LPS. At 1 endotoxin units/mL of LPS, similar to the plasma LPS concentration in cows with metritis, the WBCL increased in cows at 0 to 3 weeks postpartum. Results indicate that the increase in ROS generation and plasma LPS concentration are associated with metritis, and LPS may be responsible for enhanced ROS generation in early postpartum dairy cows.     

产褥期子宫炎对奶牛抗氧化能力、部分细胞因子、结合珠蛋白的影响

通过检测顺产后患产褥期子宫炎奶牛抗氧化能力、细胞因子变化和结合珠蛋白变化情况,为后期产褥期子宫炎治疗保健研究提供参考。选用20头产后健康荷斯坦奶牛为对照组(N组),产褥期子宫炎5例(PM),产后前10d检测体温;分别在产后3、7、14、21d经颈静脉采血,用试剂盒检测抗氧化能力、部分细胞因子和结合珠蛋白。结果显示:PM组体温在4~10d之间高于N组,其中第5、8天差异显著;PM组CAT、T-AOC、GSH-Px分别在3、7、7d显著高于N组,2组SOD、MDA差异不显著;N组IL-6、TNF-α分别在21、14d显著高于PM组。结果表明:产褥期子宫炎奶牛CAT、T-AOC、GSH-Px等抗氧化指标升高,细胞因子IL-6、TNF-α降低,进行药物对奶牛产褥期子宫炎的治疗保健效果评价试验时可参考上述变化显著的指标。