Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to clarify the changes in complete blood count, blood biochemistry, and the gene expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines of peripheral white blood cells in postpartum dairy cows with metritis.ResultsThe cows were assigned to the control group (n = 28) or the metritis group (n = 28), retrospectively. Blood samples were taken 7 days before the estimated parturition (− 7 d), on the day of parturition (0 d), and 7 and 30 d after parturition. There was no difference in blood indexes between the control group and the metritis group at − 7 d. The WBC, granulocytes and monocytes were generally higher at 7 and 30 d in the metritis group than the control. In comparison with the controls, all liver function parameters and triglyceride levels at 0, 7 and 30 d, and the creatinine level at 7 and 30 d were higher in cows with metritis. The concentrations of Ca and P at 0, 7 and 30 d, and of glucose at 0 d were lower for cows in the metritis group compared with cows in the control group. Among these parameters, the WBC at 30 d, the aspartate aminotransferase activity (AST) at 7 d exceeded normal ranges (WBC: 5.0 ~ 16.0 × 109/L; AST: 42.5 ~ 98 U/L), whereas the concentrations of glucose and Ca from 0 to 30 d were below normal ranges (glucose: 2.5 ~ 4.5 mmol/L; Ca: 2.2 ~ 2.5 mmol/L) in the metritis group. The gene expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the metritis group were higher than those in the control group, including the IL-1α at 7d, the IL-1β at − 7, 0 and 7 d, the IL-6 at − 7, 0, 7 and 30 d, the IL-8 at 0, 7 and 30 d, and the TNF-α at 7 and 30 d.ConclusionThe cows with metritis experienced systemic inflammation for 4 weeks after calving, the impaired hepatic function, and the altered metabolic status with increased triglyceride level and decreased concentrations of glucose, Ca and P.
Highlights
The aim of the present study was to clarify the changes in complete blood count, blood biochemistry, and the gene expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines of peripheral white blood cells in postpartum dairy cows with metritis
The WBC of the control group returned to prepartum level (p > 0.05), whereas the WBC of the metritis group further increased (p < 0.05)
The Granulocyte count (Gran) and Gran% in the metritis group gradually increased from − 7 to 30 d
Summary
The aim of the present study was to clarify the changes in complete blood count, blood biochemistry, and the gene expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines of peripheral white blood cells in postpartum dairy cows with metritis. Postpartum uterine infection is one of the primary causes of reproductive failure in dairy cows [1]. The bovine uterus undergo extensive modification to reduce in size, remove cellular debris and restore normal structure [2]. Bacterial contamination of the uterus is common in. 90% postpartum dairy cows, and most healthy cows are able to clear the uterine bacteria within the first 2 to 3 weeks. It has been documented that around 40% of cows suffered from metritis and 15% had a persistent endometritis [3]. Metritis could be diagnosed within the first 10 days postpartum, and the endometritis mostly occurs during the second through fourth postpartum week [1, 4]. Postpartum metritis and endometritis in dairy cows share common etiological factors, predispose to one another and largely share common treatment [1]. Cows experience sudden nutritional and endocrine changes, leading to compromised immune
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