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Post-Partum and Post-Conceptional Ovarian Activity of Dairy Cows: Evaluation Based on Progesterone Profiles

Äggstocksaktiviteten hos mjölkkor efter partus och tidigt i dräktigheten: Evaluering baserad på progesteronprofiler.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 32, pages 377–386 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

The progesterone level of milk was measured daily in 20 Icelandic dairy cows cows for 50–90 days post-partum and for 30–50 days post-conception by radioimmunoassay. In 40% of the cows the 1st post-partum ovarian cycle was shorter and the progesterone level lower than in normal cycles. The average duration of the 1st postpartum luteal phase was significantly shorter and the progesterone values lower than in the 2nd and 3rd phases. The progesterone level rose to a plateau at the onset of luteal function within 5±2 (mean±s.d.) days, whereas the decrease in progesterone at the end of the luteal phase was more rapid i.e. 3±1 days. The progesterone value for a normal interluteal phase was 1.5±1.3 nmol/l. However in 9 of 48 interluteal phases the progesterone values did not decline below 3 nmol/l. The average progesterone concentration was significantly increased during the first 30 days post-conception. In 4 of 20 cows a significant drop in progesterone concentration was found 15–19 days post-conception.

The results indicate that the luteal activity of the 1st post-partum ovarian cycle is inferior to that of the following cycles. There is a significant correlation in the intensity of the luteal activity between cycles. Ovarian cyclicity continues in early pregnancy in, at least, 20% of cows. The sampling frequency is of importance in studies concerning the luteal activity.

Sammanfattning

Progesteronnivån i mjölk från 20 isländska mjölkkor studerades. Hormonmätningen gjordes fortlöpande under tiden från förlossningen i mjölkprov som samlades dagligen i 50–90 dagar efter partus och i 30–50 dagar efter dräktighetspunkten. Hos 40% av korna var längden på den första brunstcykeln efter partus kortare och progesteronnivån lägre en i normal brunstcycel. Den förstå lutealfasen var signifikant kortare och progesteronnivån var lägre an den andra och den tredje lutealfasen. Vid början av lutealfasen höjdes progesteronkurvan til en jämn nivå på genomsnitt mindre end 5±2 dagar men sjönk ved lutealf asens slut på 3±1 dagar. Progesteronnivån under en normal interlutealfas var i genomsnitt 1.5±1.3 nmol/1, men i 9 av 48 interlutealfaser sjönk progesteronnivån inte under 3 nmol/1. Progesteronnivån var i genomsnitt significant ökad under de första 30 dagarna i dräktigheten. Den sjönk significant 15–19 dagar efter dräktighetspunkten hos 4 av 20 kor. Resultaten visar at den forsta brunstcykelns aktivitet er förminskad relativt till de följande. Signifikant korrelation hittades för luteal intensitet mellan cykler. Brunstcykelns påverkan märkes even tidigt i dräktigheten hos, åtminstone, 20% av korna. Prövtagningsfrekvensen er av stor vigtighet när luteal aktiviteten studeras.

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  1. Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, P. O. Box 8540, IS-128, Keldur, Reykjavik, Iceland

    Jón Eldon

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Eldon, J. Post-Partum and Post-Conceptional Ovarian Activity of Dairy Cows: Evaluation Based on Progesterone Profiles. Acta Vet Scand 32, 377–386 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03546968

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147