阴离子盐对奶牛围产期血浆离子平衡的影响

采用20头荷斯坦经产奶牛按配对试验设计,研究在干奶后期(产前约3周)添加阴离子盐添加剂对奶牛产前1周、2周和产后1周、2周及分娩当日血浆离子浓度、胎衣不下发病率以及产乳热发病情况的影响。结果表明,饲喂阴离子盐日粮4d后可使尿液pH值显著降低(P<0.05),试验组与对照组比较产前一周和产后一周血浆钙离子浓度有上升的趋势,分别为(7.98vs7.26)和(7.81vs7.19),距分娩1周血浆镁离子浓度有降低趋势(1.96vs2.16),在分娩当日试验组血浆镁离了浓度低于对照组(1.90vs2.01),产前1周和分娩当日血浆钠离子浓度低于对照组,分别为(123.90vs126.43,P<0.05)和(124.28vs125.93,P<0.05)。在本试验条件下添加阴离子盐对血浆其他离子浓度没有显著影响(P>0.05),通过对胎衣不下发生情况的统计表明,饲喂阴离子盐能够减少胎衣不下的发生。     

Premature expulsion of the placenta and bovine perinatal mortality

In one study two cases of premature expulsion of the placenta were recorded among 60 supervised calvings (3.3 per cent); both calves died. In a second study, 47 cases were recorded among 332 cases of perinatal mortality (14.2 per cent). The condition was associated with fetal malpresentation and malposture, and mortality either before or during parturition. There was no significant relationship between the occurrence of premature expulsion of the placenta and parity, calving difficulty, previous calving history or the sex of the calf. The condition in cattle is compared with placenta praevia in women.     

Influence of prepartum calcium intake on calcium mobilization rate around parturition in dairy cows fed at a high prepartum feeding level

The influence of a low and a high prepartum calcium (Ca) intake on Ca mobilization rate around parturition was studied in 44 dairy cows fed a ration sufficient for 1.90 times maintenance requirements during the dry period. The plasma Ca level declined on the day of parturition in the group fed the low Ca intake (LCa: 26.4 g/d) as well as in the group fed the high Ca intake (HCa: 87.2 g/d). Plasma Ca levels of the HCa group were lower at parturition, and in this group 1 cow had milk fever after parturition. In the HCa group 6 cows had a plasma Ca level less than or equal to 2.0 mmol/l at parturition and/or 10 h post-partum (pp), versus 1 cow in the LCa group. Na2EDTA was intravenously infused at 10 h pp to induce hypocalcaemia to a level of plasma Ca not bound to EDTA of approximately 1.0 mmol/l. The LCa groups tended to require more Na2EDTA than the HCa groups, however the difference was significant only in the younger cows. After the Na2EDTA infusion 7 cows of the HCa group and 1 of the LCa group did not recover spontaneously and needed to be treated. The mean plasma PTH levels of the LCa group ante-partum were slightly higher than those of the HCa group. The Ca level of the prepartum ration did not influence urinary hydroxyproline excretion, which suggests that the Ca intake of 26.4 g/d was too high to stimulate bone turnover. Comparison of the present results with those of an earlier experiment in which the prepartum Ca intake at a low feeding level (1.12 times maintenance) was studied, led to the conclusion that higher prepartum feed intake has a clear negative influence on Ca homeostasis around parturition.     

Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide in luteolysis in cattle

Although prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha is known to be a principal luteolytic factor, its action on the bovine corpus luteum (CL) is mediated by other intra-ovarian factors. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and its specific receptors are present in the bovine CL with the highest expressions at luteolysis. TNFalpha in combination with interferon-gamma reduced progesterone (P4) secretion, increased PGF2alpha and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) production, and induced apoptosis of the luteal cells in vitro. Low concentrations of TNFalpha caused luteolysis, which resulted in a decreased level of P4, and increased levels of PGF2alpha, LTC4 and nitrite/nitrate (stable metabolites of nitric oxide-NO) in the blood. Inhibition of local NO production counteracts spontaneous and PGF2alpha-induced luteolysis. Therefore, NO is a likely candidate for the molecule that mediates PGF2alpha and TNFalpha actions during luteolysis. Both PGF2alpha and TNFalpha increase NO concentrations in blood, and stimulate NO synthase expression on protein level in the bovine CL cells. NO stimulates PGF2alpha and LTC4 secretion, inhibits P4 production and reduces the number of viable luteal cells. TNFalpha and NO induce apoptotic death of the CL by modulating expression of bcl-2 family genes and by stimulating expression and activity of caspase-3. The above findings indicate that TNFalpha and NO play crucial roles in functional and structural luteolysis in cattle.     

Effect of prepartum compensatory nutrition regimen on metabolism and performance of dairy cows

The impact of closely controlled energy management during the dry period upon general peripartum metabolism and the subsequent lactation was evaluated in multiparous dairy cows. Eight lactating, pregnant Holstein cows were paired according to current milk production and body condition score and assigned to either the control or the stair-step compensatory nutrition (SSCN) regimen 16 weeks prior to expected calving date. Control cows were fed according to National Research Council [National Research Council., 2001. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle. 7th rev. ed. Natl. Acad. Sci., Washington, DC.] recommendations and for ad libitum intake during late lactation and the far-off dry period. The SSCN cows were subjected to dietary energy restriction [80% of net energy for lactation requirements (NE_L)] during late lactation in order to maintain body weight, followed by realimentation (130% of NE_L) during the far-off dry period to induce a compensatory response. A common diet was fed thereafter. The SSCN cows gained less body condition during late lactation and tended to gain more body condition during the far-off dry and transition periods than control cows. There was no difference in dry matter intake during the prepartum transition period and early lactation. Milk yield was not affected by treatment. Serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were not altered by dietary treatment during late lactation and the dry period; however NEFA were lower in SSCN cows at week 4 of the subsequent lactation. Serum insulin was higher in SSCN cows 8 weeks prior to parturition (end of restriction), tended to be higher at 4 weeks (end of realimentation) before calving, and was also higher at week 12 of early lactation. An SSCN regimen stimulated body condition gain of mature dairy cows during the dry period, did not affect periparturient nutrient metabolism, and led to modest improvements in metabolic parameters later in the subsequent lactation.     

Intrauterine administration of plant oils inhibits luteolysis in the mare

Reasons for performing the study: The maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) signal in the mare has not been determined, although oestrogens have been proposed as a potential candidate. Objectives: To determine effects of intrauterine administration of oestrogen and various oils on cyclic luteolysis in the mare. Hypothesis: Intrauterine oestradiol or fatty acids may suppress luteolysis in the cycling mare when administered during late dioestrus. Methods: A single 1 ml dose of slow‐release oestradiol (10 mg/ml) in fractionated coconut oil was infused into the uterine lumen of cycling mares on Days 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14 post ovulation (n = 12 in each group). Four further groups, each of 12 mares, received an intrauterine infusion of either 1 ml of fractionated coconut oil, peanut oil, mineral oil or a slow‐release preparation of oestradiol (10 mg/ml) in mineral oil on Day 10 post ovulation. Serial blood samples were assayed for progesterone concentrations to monitor luteal function. Results: Intrauterine administration of oestradiol in fractionated coconut oil showed peak efficacy at Day 10 when luteolysis was delayed in 11/12 (92%) mares. The ability of the treatment to delay luteolysis was not significantly different when administered on Days 8 (9/12; 75%), 12 (10/12; 83%) or 14 (6/12; 50%) of dioestrus, but declined significantly when given on Day 6 (3/12; 25%). Oestradiol was not needed to initiate luteostasis since fractionated coconut oil alone or peanut oil administered at Day 10 induced the same high rate of luteal persistence (11/12; 92% for both oils). In contrast, mineral oil did not prolong luteal lifespan, either when administered alone (2/12; 17%) or combined with oestradiol (3/12; 25%). Conclusion: These results do not unequivocally rule out a possible involvement of embryonic oestrogens in MRP in the mare but suggest it is unlikely. The results demonstrate that plant oils can postpone luteolysis, suggesting they may modulate synthesis or release of prostaglandins from the mare's endometrium. Potential relevance: Administration of fractionated coconut or peanut oil on Day 10 post ovulation provides an effective and practical method of prolonging luteal function (‘pseudopregnancy’) thereby suppressing unwanted oestrous behaviour. Further studies to elucidate the mechanism by which this is achieved may increase understanding of both luteostasis and MRP signal in the mare.     

Species-related differences in the mechanism of apoptosis during structural luteolysis

Luteolysis is defined as the loss of function and subsequent involution of the luteal structure. The luteolytic process is usually subdivided, whereby the decline in progesterone is described as functional luteolysis and the structural involution is described as structural luteolysis. After the corpus luteum ceases to produce progesterone, it decreases in size, experiences a loss of cellular integrity, and then disappears from the ovary as a result of apoptosis of luteal cells. However, the control mechanisms responsible for initiating and mediating apoptosis during structural luteolysis seem more complex than originally envisioned. Furthermore, efforts to elucidate the apoptotic mechanisms have been complicated by the fact that different mammalian species have different mechanisms for controlling luteal function. Therefore, it is of interest to know whether different mammalian species have different apoptotic mechanisms. The goal of this review was to focus on species-related differences in the mechanism of apoptosis during structural luteolysis in rodents, cattle and humans, the species that are used most for luteolysis research.     

酵母铬对围产前期奶牛抗氧化能力的影响

研究在日粮中添加不同水平的酵母铬对围产前期奶牛抗氧化性能的影响。选用20头体况和预产期相近的中国荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为4组,对照组为基础日粮,3个处理组在基础日粮中分别添加2.4、4.8和7.2g/d的酵母铬。结果显示,与对照组相比,添加酵母铬可以提高血清中总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和谷胱苷肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）的活力（P〈0.01）;在4.8g/d铬水平下,与对照组相比饲喂酵母铬奶牛血清丙二醛（MDA）含量显著降低（P〈0.01）。结果表明,基础日粮添加酵母铬,0.4mg Cr/kg干物质（DM）可提高围产前期奶牛抗氧化能力。     

Lymphocyte localization in lymph nodes of pubescent, prepartum, and postpartum sheep

It is generally accepted that lymphocytes associated with the mammary mucosal immune system of non-ruminants may be largely derived from gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). The relationship between the mammary immune system and the GALT of ruminants has not been clearly defined. To address this question, we examined patterns of lymphocyte localization in sheep by 51Cr-labeled lymphocytes following infusion back into donor ewes. We found that lymphocytes taken from mammary lymph nodes of pubescent ewes returned preferentially to mammary nodes, while in prepartum and postpartum ewes, mammary node cells localized equally well in mammary and mesenteric lymph nodes. In contrast, ileal mesenteric lymph node cells from pubescent ewes localized equally well in mammary and mesenteric nodes, but in prepartum and postpartum ewes, localization in mammary nodes was markedly reduced. Comparison of the homing patterns of mammary, mesenteric, and peripheral lymph node cells indicated that mammary node cells behaved similarly to peripheral, rather than mesenteric node cells. This information may be relevant to the extent of communication between the gut and mammary gland in ruminants.     

Current knowledge about the processes of luteolysis and maternal recognition of pregnancy in camelids

Camelids have many unique reproductive features that considerably differ from those of other domestic species. Females are induced ovulators with subsequent development of a corpus luteum (CL) with a short lifespan. Plasma progesterone concentration starts to increase on day 4, peaks on day 8–9 and, in non-pregnant animals, basal concentration is reached around day 10–11 post-induction of ovulation. Luteolytic pulses of prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) are firstly detected on day 7 or 8 (approximately on day 5–6 after ovulation), with maximal luteolytic peaks observed between days 9 and 11 post-mating, in coincidence with a high endometrial expression of cyclooxygenase 2, a limiting enzyme in prostaglandins synthesis. Unlike other species, oxytocin seems not to be involved in the luteolytic process in these species. The CL is the main source of progesterone secretion, and its function is required to support pregnancy. Despite constant research efforts, aspects of reproduction and maternal recognition of pregnancy in camelids remain not fully understood. A transient decrease and subsequent recovery in plasma progesterone concentration are observed after day 9 post-mating in pregnant animals in association with a pulsatile release of PGF_2α and a transitory decrease in CL vascularization. Thus, embryo recognition should occur between days 8 and 12 post-mating. In camels, conceptus tissues exhibit aromatizing activity with the capacity to synthesize large amounts of oestradiol. Similarly, llama blastocysts secrete oestradiol-17β during the preimplantation stage, with a higher production during the elongation period. An increase in the endometrial expression of oestrogen receptor α is also observed on day 12 post-mating. All these evidences suggest that oestrogen could be the signal released by the embryo at the time of its recognition in camelids. Besides, nearly 98% of pregnancies are carried out in the left horn. A decrease in the endometrial expression of mucin 1 and 16 genes has been reported, suggesting that these changes are crucial for successful embryo implantation; however, no differences have been observed between horns. Thus, maternal recognition of pregnancy in camelids is a particularly complex process that must occur in a concise time to allow the rescue of the CL and embryo survival.     

Immunohistochemical localization of IgG1 and IgG2 in prepartum and lactating bovine mammary tissue

The differential distributions of IgG1 and IgG2 were determined in prepartum and lactating bovine mammary tissue by indirect immunofluorescence. IgG1 was found predominately within the alveolar epithelial cells and lumens of prepartum tissue whereas IgG2 was largely confined to the stromal area surrounding the alveoli. Both IgG subclasses were confined predominately to the stroma in lactating tissue. Few IgG containing stromal cells were readily distinguished in any of the mammary tissue used in this study.     

Lack of natural luteolysis associated with uterine horn aplasia in a heifer

A heifer with congenital left uterine horn aplasia had completely normal reproductive cycles when ovulation occurred from the right ovary. Subsequent to ovulation from the left ovary, however, the corpus luteum persisted for months unless prostaglandin F2 alpha was administered. The reproductive tract was examined after slaughter. The left oviduct ended blindly, resulting in fluid-filled cysts. Except for aplasia of the left uterine horn, the reproductive tract appeared to be morphologically normal. This natural model confirms that the luteolytic signal in cattle is sent from the uterine horn to the ipsilateral ovary, but not to the contralateral ovary. Diagnosis of this abnormality required careful palpation per rectum. The normal luteolysis that occurred with exogenous prostaglandin F2 alpha treatment provided misleading information that the heifer was normal.     

Effects of prepartum protein nutrition and birth weight on basal metabolism in bovine neonates

Recipient beef heifers, pregnant with single demi-embryos, were paired to according to identical twin or full-sib embryo. Within pair, recipient heifers were assigned to one of two isocaloric diets containing a control or restricted level of protein (91 vs 55% of National Research Council recommendations) on d 190 of gestation. Following parturition, calves were weighed, fed 1 liter of colostrum, dried and placed in a metabolic chamber at 5 h of age for an 8-h determination of heat production (HP). Maternal body weight gains (P less than .001) during the last trimester and body condition scores at parturition (P less than .05) were reduced in heifers fed the protein-restricted diet. Calves born to heifers fed the protein-restricted diet had 11.4% lower (P less than .05) HP than calves born to control heifers (43.7 vs 49.3 kcal.kg-1.d-1). Birth weights, respiratory quotients and rectal temperatures of newborn calves were not significantly affected by prepartum protein restriction. Within treatment groups, the relationship between HP and weight was described by the equation: HP (kcal/d) = 2.30 wt1.86. The allometric exponent of 1.86 +/- .26 implied that weight-specific metabolic rate was higher rather than lower in larger weight calves. We concluded that the thermogenic ability of neonatal calves may be compromised by prepartum protein restriction and(or) small birth weights.