Abstract
Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is one of the main causes of infertility in dairy cattle and has a high economic impact on farmers. COD is caused by an endocrine imbalance within the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis preventing the mature Graafian follicle from ovulating. The cause at the molecular level is not well understood. However, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and plasminogen activator/plasmin families of extracellular (ECM) matrix-degrading proteinases are involved in Graafian follicle breakdown and oocyte release in the ovulation process. Our research investigated the possibility of using plasma concentrations of MMP-2 and -9 and their natural tissue inhibitors (TIMP) -1 and -2 as prognostic indicators of COD. Plasma samples from cystic and non-cystic dairy cows were analyzed using ELISA. Although plasma concentrations of MMP-2 and -9 were greater and TIMP-2 was lower in non-cystic compared to cystic cows, no significant differences were observed in MMP-2 and -9 and TIMP-1 and -2 due to cyst status. However, the TIMP-1:MMP-9 and TIMP-2:MMP-2 molar ratios were greater, (P = 0.099) and (P = 0.038), respectively, in cystic compared to non-cystic cows, suggesting a proteolytic insufficiency in cows with COD that may be a contributing factor to the anovulatory pathology. These data may provide the groundwork for future research and development of tools for dairy farmers to selectively choose replacement heifers less likely to develop COD.
Highlights
Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is a reproductive pathology primarily affecting dairy cattle causing irregular estrous cycles and prolonging the postpartum interval to first estrus
The objective of this study was to quantify plasma concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9 and tissue inhibitor of MMP-1 (TIMP-1) and -2 in cows diagnosed with COD and cows with no history of follicular cysts
MMP-2 concentrations were greater in plasma recovered from non-cystic compared to cystic cows, no difference was observed (P = 0.33)
Summary
Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is a reproductive pathology primarily affecting dairy cattle causing irregular estrous cycles and prolonging the postpartum interval to first estrus. Luteal cysts are often follicular cysts that have persisted and formed a thicker layer of luteal tissue around the edges of the cyst [3]. Stangaferro et al [5] found altered expression of components in the activin-inhibin-follistatin system. This system could be responsible for the endocrine alterations and follicular persistence seen in COD. Other factors can be stress, herd management, nutritional status, body condition, and infectious disease [4, 6]
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