| 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 lateembryonic (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 100Holstein-Friesian cows at days 28, 42 and 56 after artificial insemination (AI; day 0) todiagnose pregnancy and to monitor the fate of the embryo. After ultrasound scanning ofeach cow, a milk sample was collected for assessment of P4 by an ELISA test and a bloodsample was collected for assessment of bPAG-1, by using a double-antibodyradioimmunoassay, and serum NO metabolites (nitrate + nitrite). Based on ultrasonographicexaminations and bPAG-1-RIA, 41 of 100 inseminated cows were confirmed pregnant at day 28after AI. Nine cows suffered of LEM, and 6 cows suffered of EFM and the overall pregnancyloss rate was 36.6% (15/41) between days 28 and 56 of pregnancy. By logistic regressionanalysis, there were no significant relationships between the level of P4 and bPAG-1 atday 28 after AI and the occurrence of LEM and EFM. Also, there were no significantrelationships between the levels of P4 and bPAG-1 at day 42 and the occurrence of EFM. Onthe other hand, a significant relationship (P<0.05) was found between NO level at day28 and the occurrence of LEM. In conclusion, measurement of the serum NO concentration atday 28 of pregnancy might help to predict the outcome of pregnancy by day 42 in dairy cowsbut further studies are needed to confirm this. |
