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Prostaglandin F2αMetabolite and Progesterone Profiles in Post-partum Cows with Retained Foetal Membranes

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 37, pages 171–185 (1996)Cite this article

Abstract

Post-partum prostaglandin release and resumption of cycli-cal ovarian activities were studied in 11 Swedish dairy cows with retained foetal mem-branes (RFM), leaving the RFM untreated. The main PGF2α metabolite, 15-ketodihy-dro-PGF2α, was measured in blood plasma collected twice daily during the first 50-60 days after delivery. Progesterone was monitored from all morning samples to evaluate the resumption of ovarian activity. The plasma levels of 15-ketodihydro-PGF2α were ar-bitrarily considered to be significantly elevated between 6-24 days when they exceeded the mean basal value + 2 standard deviations. Comparison between this duration in days of the post-partum PGF2α release and the time required for the completion of uterine in-volution, placental shedding and last day of post-partum clinical signs showed no sig-nificant relations. However, prior to a final decrease below a line of significance of 233-590 pmol/1, pronounced sustained and pulsatile release of PGF2α occurred in relation to the increased frequency of the bacteriological findings. These additional periods of PGF2(X release were described as the “total” duration of post-partum release, and were found to be positively correlated with the time required for uterine involution from the stand point of rectal palpation (p<0.05), while a tendency towards a positive relationship existed for the last day post-partum of clinical signs (p = 0.11). Progesterone analysis revealed resumption of ovarian activity and the first ovulation occurred between 19-29 days in 70% of the cows. The levels of the PGF2α metabolite were again high at the time of luteolysis, thus terminating the luteal phase in the ovulating animals. Thus, it is seen that non-removal of the RFM or the resultant intrauterine infection do not prolong the duration of the immediate post-partum release of PGF2α as compared to normal ani-mals. However, a second release is associated with the increased frequency of uterine infections, indicating that PGF2α may play a role for the early elimination of the infec-tions.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Council for Forestry and Agricultural Research. A fellowship to Merga Bekana from the Swedish In-ternational Programme on Animal Reproduction (SIPAR) is gratefully acknowledged. The late Asso-ciate Professor Gunnar Fredriksson is gratefully re-membered for his enthusiasm and great interest in helping during the initial phase of our work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7039, S-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden

    M. Bekana, K. Odensvik & H. Kindahl

  2. Faculty of Veteri-nary Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia

    M. Bekana

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  1. M. Bekana
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  2. K. Odensvik
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  3. H. Kindahl
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Correspondence to M. Bekana.

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Bekana, M., Odensvik, K. & Kindahl, H. Prostaglandin F2αMetabolite and Progesterone Profiles in Post-partum Cows with Retained Foetal Membranes. Acta Vet Scand 37, 171–185 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03548110

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147