Abstract:

This study was carried out to assess the IGF-I, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and glucose concentrations during the peripartum period of dairy cows in normal condition, and cows with endometritis puerperalis and cystic ovarian disease. The study was conducted on 87 lactating Holstein cows (parity: 1-7) in the 9th month of pregnancy in Shiraz, Iran. Blood samples were collected every 2 weeks from 2 weeks before until 6 weeks after calving. Two, four and six weeks after calving, palpation of the reproductive tract was performed. Cows were first inspected for the presence of fresh abnormal discharge on the vulva, perineum, or tail then those were examined intra-vaginally. Following inspection, ultrasonographic assessment of uterus and ovaries was also performed and ovarian structures (palpable follicle, CL and cyst) were scanned. Prepartum IGF-I concentration was significantly lower in cows that developed cystic ovaries than non-cystic (35.89±9.09 versus 41.99±3.65 μg/L) and cows with clinical endometritis early postpartum than normal cows (36.65±5.38 versus 43.64±4.32 μg/L). Calving-first service interval and ovarian cycle resumption after calving was significantly shorter for cows without clinical endometritis than cows with clinical endometritis. In conclusion, prepartum IGF-I concentration was the main factor associated with occurrence of endometritis and cystic ovarian disease after calving and it was a notable feature of the current study.

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