Incidence Of Retained Placenta Research Articles

Factors That Influence the Incidence of Retained Placenta in Maternity Women in Kanekes Village, Baduy Tribe, Indonesia

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) states that one of the causes of bleeding is retained placenta. Retained placenta accounts for 2-3% of maternal deaths in developing countries. Various factors, including maternal, uterine, and retention factors, influence placental retention. The study aimed to determine the factors affecting the incidence of retained placenta in mothers giving birth in Kanekes Village, Baduy Tribe, Indonesia. Material and Methods: This research uses an analytical survey method with a case-control design. There were 27 cases of placental retention experienced by women who gave birth vaginally. The researcher created the data collection format sheet instrument himself. The statistical test used is the chi-square test. Results: The relationship between age and the incidence of retained placenta from 54 respondents was obtained from the chi-square statistical test on the age variable with a p = 0.010 <0.05 value. The relationship between parity and the incidence of retained placenta (p = 0.04). However, non-significant results were found in the relationship between birth assistance and the incidence of retained placenta (p = 0.750). Conclusions: The results show a relationship between age and parity factors and retained placenta incidence. However, in the birth assistance variable, the results show no relationship between birth assistance factors and the incidence of placental retention.

The effect of inflammatory cytokines on occurrence of retained placenta in cattle

Background: In simple terms, retained placenta is a common issue after parturition in cattle that can affect their reproductive ability. In pregnancies with fetal growth restriction (FGR), the placenta has low anti-inflammatory cytokines and high pro-inflammatory cytokines. By looking at variations in cytokine levels in the blood, we can diagnose the condition. The focus of a recent study was to examine the role of some interleukins (Interleukins -10, Interleukins -6, Interleukins -1β), C-reactive protein (CRP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, in retained placenta occurrence in cattle.Methods: The study involved 40 cows, aged 3-8 years in the Salah-Din province. Each animal suffered from retained placenta also eleven healthy cows served as the control group in a period of January to August 2022. The blood serum was analyzed using enzyme immunoassay techniques (ELIZA) to measure the levels of IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, CRP and TNF-α.Results: Serum levels of IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, CRP and TNF-α showed a significant increase in cows experiencing retained fetal membranes compared to healthy cows (2.31±0.11 vs 1.41 ±0.07) (10.48±0.24 vs 5.40±0.19), (13.6±2.1 vs 4±0.9), (0.9±0.02 vs 0.32±0.04) and (60.1 ± 12.79 vs 29.5 ± 16.58) respectively.Conclusion: from the present study we conclude that IL10, IL6, IL1β and TNFα play an essential component in retained placenta incidence, and the estimation levels of these parameters in serum may be considered good indicator for occurrence in cattle. RT-PCR revealed increased expression of SDHA genes in the maternal compartment of the placenta.Keywords: Retained placenta; Cytokines; C-reactive protein

Relationship between Enzymatic Antioxidant Activities and Reproductive Hormones in the Cows with Retained Placenta in Basrah Province, Iraq.

The current study was conducted to evaluate the activity of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-px], glutathione transferase [GSH-tr], and glutathione [GSH]) in the plasma of cows that suffered from retained placenta (RP), compared to cows without RP. Estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol hormones were also evaluated for the two groups of animals. In total, 38 pregnant cows were investigated in this study, and eight cows were suffering from RP (RP group) and did not release the placenta up to 12 h after giving birth. The other 30 cows did not suffer from RP (non-RP group) and left as a control. The results revealed a significant increase in CAT, GSH-tr, and GSH-px enzyme activities after calving in RP animals, compared to the other group of animals with normal placenta release before and after calving. In addition, SOD and GSH showed a significant increase in their levels before calving that reduced after giving birth, compared to the other antioxidant enzymes levels. The hormonal study also revealed a significant decrease in the estrogen level in the RP group, compared to the non-RP group, while the progesterone and cortisol showed non-significant levels in the studied groups. In conclusion, a strong relationship of RP with the antioxidant enzymatic activity and hormones in RP cow was observed in this study, which can be used to predict the incidence of RP throughout the levels of enzymatic antioxidants before parturition.

Assessing the consequences and economic impact of retained placenta in Holstein dairy cattle

Retained placenta (RP) is as an important reproductive disorder which adversely affects the economic performance of dairy cows. Understanding the consequences and economic losses associated with RP can persuade dairy farmers to consider it more effectively in their management decisions. Hence, the aims of this research were to assess the effect of RP on production and reproduction attributes as well as economic losses in Iranian Holstein cows. The data was collected from nine Holstein dairy herds in Isfahan province of Iran. The final dataset comprised of 139,508 records of 58,086 cows which calved between March 2011 and December 2018. A linear mixed model was developed to evaluate the effect of RP on individual performance of primiparous and multiparous cows. The economic losses associated with the RP were finally estimated. The average incidence of RP per cow over a year was 12.3% (ranged between 9.0 and 15.4%). Each incidence of RP significantly reduced milk, fat and protein yields in primiparous and multiparous cows (P < 0.05). The adverse effect of RP on the milk production was much higher in the cows at the early phase of lactation (i.e. 100-d lactation group) than the cows in mid or late lactation. The estimated production losses (±standard deviation) due to the RP event were 282.1 ± 43.0 and 295.7 ± 40.8 kg per cow for a 305-d lactation period in primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. However, the fertility performance was less affected by the RP in primiparous compared to multiparous cows. The average of days open increased by 8.3 ± 5.3 and 19.8 ± 7.1 d in primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. The financial losses associated with RP were on average US$ 350.4 and US$ 481.2 per incidence in primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively, ranged from US$ 311.9 to 456.2 depending on the parity number (primi- or multiparous) and herd management. The highest financial losses due to RP were associated with reduction in milk production (38.5% of total loss) and low fertility (28.5% of total loss) had the highest contribution in in primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. The results of our research highlight the economic importance of improved calving management to reduce RP occurrence in dairy cows.

Controlled trial of the effect of negative dietary cation-anion difference on postpartum health of dairy cows

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of feeding negative dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) dry cow diets on postpartum health. Cows from 4 commercial dairy farms in Ontario, Canada, were enrolled in a pen-level controlled trial from November 2017 to April 2019. Close-up pens (1 per farm), with cows 3 wk before expected calving, were randomly assigned to a negative DCAD [TRT; -108 mEq/kg of dry matter (DM); target urine pH 6.0-6.5] or a control diet (CON; +105 mEq/kg of DM with a placebo supplement). Each pen was fed TRT or CON for 3 mo (1 period) then switched to the other treatment for the next period, with 4 periods per farm. Urine pH was measured weekly until calving, and body condition score (BCS) was measured at enrollment and at 5 wk postpartum. Data from 15 experimental units [8 TRT and 7 CON, with 1,086 (TRT: n = 681; CON: n = 405) observational units (cows)] that received the assigned diet for >1 wk were included. The incidence of milk fever (MF), retained placenta (RP), metritis, hyperketonemia (blood β-hydroxybutyrate >1.2 mmol/L, measured weekly in wk 1 and 2), clinical mastitis within 30 DIM (MAST), displaced abomasum (DA) within 30 d in milk (DIM), purulent vaginal discharge (PVD, assessed once at wk 5), and number of disease events (≥1 or ≥2) were analyzed with logistic regression models with treatment, parity, BCS, and their interactions, accounting for pen-level randomization and clustering of animals within farm with random effects, giving 10 degrees of freedom to test treatment effects. Multiparous cows fed TRT had greater blood calcium between 1 and 4 DIM than multiparous cows fed CON, and the prevalence of subclinical hypocalcemia (total Ca ≤2.14 mmol/L) was lesser when fed TRT compared with CON (d 1: 73 ± 6% vs. 93 ± 4%; d 2: 65 ± 7% vs. 90 ± 5%), with no differences between treatments detected in primiparous cows. We detected interactions of treatment and BCS at enrollment for MF in multiparous cows and of treatment and parity for ≥2 disease events. Overconditioned (BCS ≥3.75) multiparous cows had reduced incidence of MF when fed TRT (TRT: 2 ± 1%, vs. CON: 13 ± 8%). We detected no treatment effects on RP, metritis, hyperketonemia, or PVD incidence. Cows fed TRT had lesser incidence of DA (1.7 ± 0.7% vs. 3.6 ± 1.6%) and tended to have lesser incidence of MAST compared with CON (1.8% ± 0.6% vs. 4.4 ± 1.4%). No treatment effect was detected on ≥1 disease events (TRT: 38 ± 7%, vs. CON: 42 ± 8%); however, multiparous cows on TRT were less likely to have ≥2 disease events than cows on CON (14 ± 4% vs. 23 ± 6%). Under commercial herd conditions, feeding prepartum diets with negative DCAD improved several measures of postpartum health.

Analysis Factors Correlated with the Incidence of Retained Placenta to Vaginal Birth Mother at Aura Syifa Hospital of Kediri Regency

Retained placenta is a placenta which is not born more than 30 minutes after the birth. Predisposing factors of retained placenta are placenta previa, former cesarean section, repeated curettage and gemelli. The incidence of retained placenta in Aura Syifa Hospital of Kediri Regency in 2015 was 71 (4.78%) cases from 1483 births and in 2016 increased to 101 (5.22%) cases from 1935 births. The purpose of this research was to know the correlation between age, parity, birth spacing, and history of cesarean section with retained placenta incidence in Aura Syifa Hospital of Kediri Regency. The method of this study used case-control design with 84 (case) and 294 (control) samples. The instrument was medical record maternal in 2012. The analysis of this study used univariate and bivariate analysis with odds ratio test. The conclusions of the study, factors that increased the incidence of retained placenta were age, parity, birth spacing and history of cesarean delivery. In the future, further examination is needed to identifying the other factors that cause retained placenta such as multiple pregnancy, history of curettage, history of retained placenta, placenta previa and gestational age.

Influence of gestation length, seasonality, and calf sex on birth weight and placental retention in crossbred dairy cows

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of gestation length, season at calving (autumn-winter vs. spring-summer) and calf sex on birth weight and incidence of retained placenta (RP) in crossbred lactating dairy cows. A total of 187 parturitions were evaluated in a commercial dairy farm at Alto Paranaiba region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Cows that did not release the placental membranes within the first 12 hours after calf expulsion were diagnosed with RP. At birth, calf sex was registered, and birth weight was estimated by using a weighing tape. The incidence of RP was 36.89% (69/187). The mean birth weight of the calves (41.73 kg) did not differ among the calf sexes and seasons of the year at birth (P &gt; 0.05), but the cows with below-average gestation lengths (274.4 days) calved lighter calves. Furthermore, the season of the year at calving and calf sex had no influence on RP incidence (P &gt; 0.05), although a higher incidence of RP was observed in cows that had shorter gestation lengths (49.44%) and calves below-average birth weights (51.76%). In conclusion, cows with shorter gestation lengths produce lighter offspring and have a high predisposition to RP.

Risk Factors Associated to Retained Placenta in Holstein Cows

Background: Retained placenta (RP) is characterized by a failure to remove the fetal membranes within the first 12-24 h after calving. This condition appears to be related to a decrease in neutrophil activity and to the suppression of the immune response in the prepartum period. The specific reasons for some cows to retain the placenta after parturition is still not fully understood, but numerous predisposing factors have been related, which may include mechanical, nutritional, infectious and handling factors. The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence of retained placenta in dairy cows and to correlate the main predisposing factors related.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: This study was conducted in nine dairy farms located in the Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, with an average of 45 lactating dairy cows producing 10,100 kg / dairy cow in a period of 305 days. The total diet for postpartum cows was estimated to meet or exceed the requirements of dairy cows according to previously established guidelines (NRC 2001). A total of 393 calving Holstein cows (126 primiparous and 267 multiparous) were analyzed, of which 203 were kept in a semi-confined production system (free-stall and pasture system) and 190 animals were kept in a free-stall production system. Statistically, the cows were the experimental unit, and the results were analyzed using the Pearson's Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test for the comparisons of occurrence of peripartum disorders. In addition, linear and logistic regression models were constructed to determine the effect of the dependent variable on the other indicators, which may be continuous or categorical. Possible correlations of the occurrence of peripartum disorders related to production system (free-stall or semi-confined), calving order (primiparous or multiparous), season of the year (heat or cold), ECC at calving (1 to 5), calf sex, rectal temperature and dystocia were analyzed. Of the 393 deliveries followed up in this study, 72 presented retained placenta as a postpartum complication. Cows that delivered male calves had a 3.45 times higher chance of presenting dystocia birth (P = 0.0007) and had 1.85 times more chances of presenting placental retention (P = 0.066) when compared to cows with female calves. Cows with dystocia were more likely to present RP (P = 0.0433). Twin pregnancies increased 3.9 times chances of RP (P = 0.0193).Discussion: The incidence of RP in our study was 18.3%, which is close to the previously reported by another Brazilian study (22%) and similar to another study that also verified the risk factor indicators (19.9%). Dystocia, twin births and male births were predisposing factors for RP, similarly to previous studies. The frequency of dystocia was significantly affected by the production system employed, with the semi-confined system presenting more cases of dystocia, unlike other studies. The season of the year had no influence in the RP occurrence, unlike other studies that showed RP may have an increase in spring and summer months. A possible correlation between RP and body condition score at calving and with the production system employed was not observed. The limited options of effective treatments for RP emphasizes the importance of prevention. RP prevention includes the reduction of stressful factors, especially in the peripartum period, with a focus one nutrition and animal health.

Investigation of the effect of pegbovigrastim on some periparturient immune disorders and performance in Mexican dairy herds

This study analyzed the efficacy of pegbovigrastim (Imrestor, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) on some health and production parameters in lactating dairy cows. Primiparous and multiparous Holsteins from 17 Mexican dairy herds (n = 10,238) were included in this study, which was conducted in 2015. Treated cows (n = 5,025) received Imrestor approximately 7 d before expected calving and again within 24 h after calving; control cows (n = 5,213) did not receive a placebo. Clinical mastitis (MAS; 0 to 30 DIM), retained placenta (RP), and clinical metritis (MET; 0 to 21 DIM) occurrences were recorded, as well as the number of medication days, medical treatments needed, and the number of days that milk was discarded due to medication administered for disease. Milk yield was measured from calving until 120 d in milk. Imrestor reduced the incidence of MAS by 25%, and the odds ratio of having mastitis in the first 30 d in milk was 35% greater for control cows than for Imrestor cows. Imrestor treatment reduced the number of medical treatments required for MAS by 6%, and less milk was discarded due to medication for MAS as a result of the Imrestor treatment. The incidence of RP was reduced by 4.15% with Imrestor and the odds of cows having RP were 4.6% greater for control than Imrestor treatments, but they did not differ. The MET incidence was increased by 17.1% with Imrestor. The use of Imrestor around parturition increased by 5.8% the odds of inseminating cows during the first 100 d after calving. Imrestor-treated multiparous cows with MAS produced 2.1 kg/d more milk than control cows with MAS during the first 30 d of their lactation. Imrestor-treated multiparous cows with MET produced 2.3 kg/d more milk than MET control cows during the first 120 d of their lactation. We conclude that Imrestor can help the dairy cow cope with immune periparturient disorders and can increase the milk yield of dairy cows due to a healthier transition, despite a reported increase in the incidence of MET.

Effects of Different Amounts of Supplemental Selenium and Vitamin E on the Incidence of Retained Placenta, Selenium, Malondialdehyde, and Thyronines Status in Cows Treated with Prostaglandin F2α for the Induction of Parturition.

The incidence of retained placenta (RP) in cows increases in cases of parturition induced by prostaglandin F2α. We analyzed the effects of different doses of supplemental selenium and vitamin E on the incidence of RP, blood selenium, plasma thyronines, and malondialdehyde concentration. Thirty-three clinically healthy, multiparous Holstein-Frisian cows were assigned to 3 groups and supplemented with a single intramuscular injection of sodium selenite (SS) and tocopherol acetate (TAc) between days 250 to 255 of gestation: control—unsupplemented; group A—10 mg SS + 400 mg TAc; group B—20 mg SS + 800 mg TAc. Parturition was induced using PGF2α not before day 275 of gestation. The RP incidence was reduced from 66.7% in the control to 38.2 and 30.8% in groups A and B, respectively. Blood selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity in treated groups were significantly higher compared to control, with no significant difference between groups A and B. Plasma malondialdehyde in group B was significantly lower than that in control and group A, while thyronines levels were not affected. Comparison of RP and non-RP cows, independently of supplement treatment, revealed higher blood selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity and lower MDA and thyroxine in non-RP animals, while triiodothyronine level did not differ.

Relationship between the Placental Retention Time and the Reproductive Performance at the Foal Heat in Thoroughbred and a Comparison with Heavy Draft

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the placental retention time (PRT) and the reproductive performance following mating at the foal heat in Thoroughbreds. For this purpose, we interviewed 292 farmers over a period of 3 years with questionnaires evaluating foaling, expulsion of placenta and reproductive performance at the foal heat in 1,432 mares. The obtained data were later compared with a previous study of heavy draft mares. The average of the PRT of the 1,432 Thoroughbred mares was 58 ± 88 min (mean ± SD). The mean PRT of Thoroughbreds was significantly shorter than that of the148 min of heavy draft mares. The incidences of retained placenta (RP) occurring in the Thoroughbred mares were 5.2 and 4.0%, for over 3 and 4 hr after foaling, respectively. The incidence of RP over 4 hr was significantly lower than that of 25% in heavy draft mares. The pregnancy rate at foal heat of the mares in which PRT was less than 3 hr was 37%, and it significantly decreased to 11% for those with PRT of more than 3 hr. In the comparison of the reproductive performance between Thoroughbred and heavy draft mares, the pregnancy rate of Thoroughbreds dropped drastically to 10% when PRT exceeded 40, and in consequence, the pregnancy rate of Thoroughbreds was significantly lower than the 30% of heavy draft mares, which had a PRT of over 4 hr. In conclusion, the Thoroughbred mares had a low incidence of RP, however, a PRT exceeding 3 hr severely affected the reproductive performance at the foal heat.

Short communication: Supplementing with vitamin E may alter the fibrinolytic capacity of cattle

Vitamin E supplementation has been reported to decrease the incidence of cystic ovarian disease (COD) and retained placenta (RP) in cattle however the mechanism of action is not known. In humans, vitamin E supplementation twofold the daily requirements decreases plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity. As proteolysis may be involved in both COD and RP, vitamin E may be reducing these disorders in cattle through its effects on PAI-1. To evaluate the effects of vitamin E on plasma PAI-1 activity in cattle, six non-lactating beef cows (n = 3 per treatment) were injected with 0 (Control) or 2750 IU of vitamin E (Vitamin E) IM once every four days for 24 days (Day 0 = first day of treatment). Blood samples were collected every two days for 28 days starting on Day 0 and plasma PAI-1 and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) concentrations and activities were determined. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed due to vitamin E supplementation in plasma PAI-1 and tPA concentrations and activities or concentrations and activities adjusted relative to the Day 0 value for each cow. Day of treatment was a significant effect in all tPA measurements. The ratio of adjusted PAI-1 to tPA concentrations did not differ (P > 0.05) due to vitamin E supplementation however the ratio of PAI-1 to tPA activity tended to be greater (P = 0.097) in Control compared to Vitamin E cows (1.0 ± 0.1 and 0.7 ± 0.1, respectively). These data suggest vitamin E supplementation may contribute to the reduced incidence of COD and RP in cattle by shifting the ratio of plasma PAI-1 to tPA activity to a state favoring proteolysis.

Cow-specific risk factors for retained placenta, metritis and clinical mastitis in Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between cow-specific risk factors and the lactational incidence risks of retained placenta (RP), metritis (MET) and clinical mastitis (CM) in 57,301 dairy cows on 20 large dairy herds in Iran between January 2005 and June 2009. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors for MET, RP and CM and quantify their odds ratio (OR). The lactational incidences of MET, RP and CM were 8%, 5.2% and 18.9%, respectively, and significant risk factors for MET were dystocia (OR = 4.32), stillbirth (OR = 6.26), RP (OR = 27.74), twin births (OR = 6.57), primiparity (OR = 1.68), calving during winter season (OR = 2.45) and male calves (OR = 2.41). Significant risk factors for RP were dystocia (OR = 3.17), stillbirth (OR = 3.18), abortion (OR = 8.46), milk fever (OR = 3.66), twin births (OR = 2.76), pluriparity (OR = 2.69), calving during winter season (OR = 1.86) and shorter gestation length of dairy cows (OR = 3.82). Also, significant risk factors for CM were RP (OR = 9.45), milk fever (OR = 12.36), pluriparity (OR = 2.83), calving during winter season (OR = 1.68) and the first months of lactation (P < 0.001)) and SCC concentrations at previous lactation (OR = 1.82). The current study indicates that differentiation can be made among cows in the risk of having MET, RP and CM based on a combination of cow factors. These differences among cows could be useful to aid the better detection of these diseases in the dairy herds.

Effect of Parturition Induction of Term Pregnancies on Calf Survival, Production and Reproduction in Holstein Dairy Cows

Longer gestations are correlated with higher birth weights, and larger calves are correlated with an increased rate of stillbirths and dystocias. Cows that experience stillbirths have a higher risk for periparturient diseases such as retained placenta (RP), downer cow syndrome, metabolic diseases, lower milk production, decreased fertility and higher risk of dying or being culled. Preventing long gestations via parturition induction may prevent delivery of larger calves and dystocia in cows. Parturition induction has been reported as a management tool to maximize utilization of pastures in Australia and New Zealand. In that situation, all cows are induced to calve or abort independent of their gestation length, causing high incidence of RP and lower milk production in the subsequent lactation.&#x0D; We hypothesize that a single dose of dexamethasone given to induce parturition in cows that are past the average due date (1) will decrease perinatal calf and dam mortality; (2) will decrease the incidence of RP; and (3) will have no negative effect on milk production in the subsequent lactation when compared to non-induced cows.

Effect of inbreeding on the incidence of retained placenta in Friesian horses1

This study was motivated by the hypothesis that the incidence of retained placenta (RP) in Friesian horses is associated with inbreeding. The objectives were to 1) calculate the inbreeding rate in the total registered Friesian horse population; 2) study the association of the inbreeding coefficient of the foal and the mare with the incidence of RP; and 3) study the heritability of RP in Friesian mares after normal foalings. Data from the total registered Friesian horse population from 1879 to 2000 (52,392 individuals) were collected from the registration files of the Friesian Horse Studbook. In 1999 and 2000, 495 parturitions in 436 mares were studied. From 1979 to 2000, the inbreeding rate of the total population was 1.9% per generation. The regression coefficients for the regression of the incidence of RP on inbreeding coefficients of the foal and the mare were 0.12 ± 0.052 and −0.016 ± 0.019, respectively. Mean heritability estimates of RP as a foal trait and as a mare trait were 0.046 ± 0.088 and 0.105 ± 0.123, respectively. It was concluded that, in order to avoid a further increase in the incidence of RP in Friesian mares, a decrease in the inbreeding rate by increasing the effective breeding population is required. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the high incidence of RP in Friesian horses is at least partly a result of inbreeding.

Effect of inbreeding on the incidence of retained placenta in Friesian horses.

This study was motivated by the hypothesis that the incidence of retained placenta (RP) in Friesian horses is associated with inbreeding. The objectives were to 1) calculate the inbreeding rate in the total registered Friesian horse population; 2) study the association of the inbreeding coefficient of the foal and the mare with the incidence of RP; and 3) study the heritability of RP in Friesian mares after normal foalings. Data from the total registered Friesian horse population from 1879 to 2000 (52,392 individuals) were collected from the registration files of the Friesian Horse Studbook. In 1999 and 2000, 495 parturitions in 436 mares were studied. From 1979 to 2000, the inbreeding rate of the total population was 1.9% per generation. The regression coefficients for the regression of the incidence of RP on inbreeding coefficients of the foal and the mare were 0.12 +/- 0.052 and -0.016 +/- 0.019, respectively. Mean heritability estimates of RP as a foal trait and as a mare trait were 0.046 +/- 0.088 and 0.105 +/- 0.123, respectively. It was concluded that, in order to avoid a further increase in the incidence of RP in Friesian mares, a decrease in the inbreeding rate by increasing the effective breeding population is required. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the high incidence of RP in Friesian horses is at least partly a result of inbreeding.

Circulating PgF2α and nutritional parameters at parturition in dairy cows with and without retained placenta: Relation to prepartum diet

Reproductive and biochemical parameters were studied at parturition in multiparous single-carrying Holstein cows. These were compared in animals with (n=14) and without (n=40) a retained placenta and then according to 2 prepartum diets (corn silage/concentrate, n=44; grass silage/concentrate, n=10) in cows with and without retained placentas. Cows with retained placentas had a 4-day shorter gestation period and gave birth to 5 kg-lighter calves than cows without retained placentas. Furthermore, their plasma PGFM -PgF2α main metabolite- (3325 vs 5675 pg/ml; P<0.01) and glucose (79.2 vs 95.2 mg/100ml; P<0.05) levels were lower and their protein concentration was higher (85.7 vs 76.5 g/l; P<0.05) than those of cows without retained placentas. Retained placenta incidence in cows fed grass-silage was higher than in cows fed corn-silage (60% vs 18.2%; P<0.05). Cows with retained placentas and fed corn silage had shorter gestation lengths, gave birth to lighter calves, and had less circulating glucose at calving (77.6 vs 96.5 mg/100ml; P<0.05) than cows without retained placentas and fed the same forage. Cows with retained placentas and fed grass silage had less PGFM (2172 vs 4530 pg/ml; P<0.05) than cows without retained placentas and fed the same forage. Calving number, sex ratio and preceeding milk yield were not different between the two groups of cows whatever their prepartum diet. In the dairy cow, retained placenta could be due to a PgF2α or an energy deficiency at calving. Roles of the dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids toward the Pg synthesis and of the energy supply before calving in relation to retained placenta are discussed here.