Placenta In Cows Research Articles

Expressions of apoptosis-regulating factors in bovine retained placenta

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the retention of fetal membranes (RFM) and apoptosis of the cells in fetal membranes. The present study investigated mRNA and protein expressions of apoptosis-regulating factors: FAS, cellular FLICE-like inhibiting protein (cFLIP), BAX, BCL2, caspase-8 (CASP8), and CASP3 in fetal membranes. Placentomes were manually collected from the uterus immediately after parturition and classified into two groups (RFM; n = 8 and non-RFM; n = 8) according to whether placental membranes were expelled or not within 12 h after delivery. FAS mRNA expression in maternal placental tissue was less in RFM cows than in non-RFM cows (P < 0.05). cFLIP mRNA expression in maternal and fetal placental tissue was greater in RFM cows than in non-RFM cows (P < 0.05). CASP3 mRNA expression in maternal placental tissue was greater in RFM cows than in non-RFM cows (P < 0.05). However, the protein expressions of FAS, cFLIP and cleaved CASP3 were not significantly different between the two groups. mRNA and protein expressions of BAX, BCL2 and CASP8 were also not significantly different between the two groups. In the immunohistochemical study, single-stranded DNA, which appears specifically in the apoptotic cells, was mainly found in the maternal placenta of non-RFM cows. Together these results suggest that RFM occurs at least in part due to a dysfunctional apoptotic process caused by the inhibition of FAS expression in the maternal placenta, and the increase of cFLIP expression in the maternal and fetal placenta.

Risk Factors and Impacts of Retained Placenta and Metritis in Dairy Cows

Retained placenta (RP) is a condition associated with aspects of immune function during the prepartum period. Retained placenta has been shown to be a risk factor for uterine diseases and for reduced reproductive performance. Metritis is a condition causing systemic signs of illness (fever, anorexia, decreased milk production) characterized by a foul-smelling, brown-red watery vaginal discharge, occurring within the first 20 days-in-milk (DIM). Metritis has been associated with risk factors thought to contribute to greater uterine bacterial contamination, such as dystocia and RP. Conflicting data are reported on the impacts of RP and metritis on milk production, reproduction, and culling. In particular, many studies have considered RP and metritis in isolation, and have used only short-term outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate risk factors and impacts of RP and metritis in postpartum dairy cows.

Reduction of the Incidence of Retained Placenta in Cows Treated with a New Chinese Herbal Medicine Dang Hong Fu used as Aqua-acupuncture at GV-1

The objective of this study was to develop a new Chinese herbal aqua-acupuncture formulation Dang Hong Fu, test its safety in rabbits and evaluate its efficacy to prevent retained placenta in cows when injected into acupoint GV-1. Dang Hong Fu was administered intraocularly, subdermally, intraperitoneally and intravenously into rabbits and no adverse reactions were observed, except transient swelling of the ear flap after subdermal injection. One hundred and twenty four pregnant cows were selected to be in an untreated control group and observed after calving to determine the retained placenta rate for the farm. Fifty pregnant cows from the same farm were selected for the study and randomly assigned to two groups: 30 cows in the Dang Hong Fu group and 22 cows in a saline control group. Immediately after calving 40 ml of Dang Hong Fu (40 grams of dried herbs) were injected into GV-1 in the herbal group and 40 ml of physiological saline were injected at the same site in the saline control group. Both groups were observed for retained placentas and the time until placental expulsion was recorded in the others. The retained placenta rate for untreated cows that received no treatment was 35.5% (44/124). The incidence of retained placenta in the Dang Hong Fu group was 16.7% and in the saline control group 31%. The time for expulsion of placental membranes was a mean of 9 hours (range 3.5-24 hours) in the Dang Hong Fu group and a mean of 14.7 hours (range 3.0-24 hours) in the saline control group. When compared to the untreated control group, Dang Hong Fu aqua-acupuncture significantly reduced the incidence of retained placentas (p 0.047; &lt; 0.05), but saline aqua-acupuncture did not (p 0.740; &gt; 0.05). Herbal aqua-acupuncture may offer an easy treatment method to reduce the incidence of retained placenta with no adverse side effects.

Evaluation of prepartum serum cholesterol and fatty acids concentrations as predictors of postpartum retention of the placenta in dairy cows

To identify serum biochemical and hematologic variables, as measured in the week before parturition, that predict postpartum retention of the placenta (RP) in dairy cows. Retrospective cohort study. 1,038 cows in 20 commercial dairy herds. Serum concentrations of fatty acids (FAs), beta-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, glucose, urea, and calcium and blood leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil counts were determined. These variables were evaluated for an association with development of RP by use of a multivariate logistic regression model. Parity, season of parturition, existence of twins or dystocia, body condition score, and vitamin E treatment were included in the model as covariates. High serum concentrations of cholesterol and FAs were associated with an increased odds of RP. There was a 5% relative increase in the odds of RP for each 0.1 mmol/L increase in cholesterol or FAs concentration in the week before parturition. Season of parturition and twinning were also identified as risk factors. These associations indicated that prepartum energy metabolism contributes to the development of RP. Serum concentrations of cholesterol and FAs may be useful to identify cows with a metabolic abnormality or energy imbalance that might predispose them to RP and should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical risk factors such as twinning, dystocia, or parturient paresis.

The relationship between diet and retained placenta in cows

Retained placenta (RP) is one of the most common complications occurring in the post-partum period in cows. Beside other reasons, many authors stress the influence of diet on the incidence of RP. However, the role of minerals and vitamins fed at this time on subsequent fertility is poorly understood. As nutritional causes of RP are due primarily to the diet fed the last 6 to 8 weeks before calving, the aim of this paper was to investigate the relationship between diet in dry and transition periods and subsequent occurrence of RP, as well as in the time of introduction to lactation in fresh cows, with special emphasis on content of minerals and vitamins in diet. The investigation has been carried out on a big dairy farm situated on the east of Croatia with 1 775 Holstein-Frisian (HF) cows in duration of one year. Diet samples from dry period (DP), from period approximately from the 21st day before calving till the day of calving (BC) and period of introduction to lactation (IL) were subjected for analysis of calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), selenium (Se), iodine (I) and vitamins A, D3 and E. The observed rate of cows with RP on the investigating farm was rather high (16.55%). High diet concentrations both for Ca and P in DP and BC periods (0.98 and 0.62% of Ca; 0.37 and 0.52% of P, respectively), combined with low concentration of vitamin D in DP and BC periods (12 800 and 14 400 IU/day, respectively), as well as low concentration of Se in DP and BC periods (0.08 and 0.07 mg/kg, respectively) combined with low concentration of vitamin E in DP and BC periods (160 and 180 IU/day, respectively) were identified as critical factors that could have contributed in influencing high incidence of RP on the investigating farm.

Productive and metabolic consequences induced by the retained placenta in dairy cows

Productive and metabolic consequences induced by the retained placenta in dairy cows

Postpartum Relationship of Beta Carotene and Vitamin A between Placenta, Blood and Colostrum in Cows and their Newborns

Carotenoids are lipophilic compounds which are involved not only in scavenging reactive oxygen species but also in many important biochemical processes. Periparturient period is supposed to be connected with oxidative imbalance which can be detected in blood of mother and newborn. Colostrum contains antioxidants which should protect newborn from stressful conditions. The aim of present study was do evaluate the relationship of beta carotene and vitamin A concentration between placenta, blood and colostrum of cows and blood of their newborns. 12 pregnant, healthy cows and their newborns were included into study. The concentration of beta carotene and vitamin A were detected in homogenates of placental tissues obtained immediately after parturition as well as in blood of mother and newborn and colostrum. Additionally blood and colostrum samples were collected 24 hours after parturition. The determinations were performed by use of spectrophotometric method at 325 and 453 nm. The concentration of beta carotene was significantly higher in fetal as in maternal part of placenta. Plasma level significantly decreased during 24 h after parturition in cows but significantly increased in calves. Colostrum level remained relatively stable during examined time. The concentration of retinol was significantly higher in fetal as in maternal part of placenta. Plasma levels, significantly higher in cows as in calves, increased significantly during 24 h after parturition in mothers but remained unchanged in newborns. Colostral concentrations increased significantly during examined period of time. In conclusion, dynamic changes in carotenoid concentrations in placenta, blood of mother and newborn as well as in colostrum that occur during 24 h after parturition may indicate the importance of antioxidative defence at this time both for cow and calf.

Isolation, purification and antitumor activity of lipopolysaccharide from cow placenta

Lipopolysaccharide from cow placenta (LPS-CP-2) has been isolated and purified by hot phenol–water extraction, enzyme hydrolysis, chloroform–petroleum ether method, ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Also, LPS-PS-2 was evaluated for antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing Swiss albino mice. LPS-PS-2 caused significant ( P < 0.05) decrease in tumor volume, and viable cell count; and it prolonged the life span of EAC-tumor-bearing mice. Hematological profile indicates that LPS-CP-2 possessed protective action on the haemopoietic system. Further, administration of LPS-CP-2 reduced the tumor volume of both DLA and EAC cell lines in a dose-dependent way. The LPS-PS was found to be devoid of pyrogenic response in the rabbits. These results indicate that LPS-PS exhibited significant antitumor activity without pyrogenic response, suggesting its potential as antitumor agent.

Postpartum uterine disease and dairy herd reproductive performance: A review

This paper reviews the causes, impact, treatment, and prevention of retained placenta (RP), metritis, and endometritis in dairy cows. The occurrence of each of these diseases largely depends on immune function in the transition period. Retained placenta affects 5–10% of calvings and greatly increases the risk of metritis and endometritis. More field studies are needed to validate criteria for treatment of metritis, but cows with at least two of RP, fever, dullness, and fetid uterine discharge appear to merit treatment with systemic antibiotics. Clinical endometritis affects 15–20% of cows at 4–6 weeks postpartum; an additional 30–35% have subclinical endometritis between 4 and 9 weeks postpartum. Under specific conditions, treatment of cows with endometritis improved pregnancy rate. Systematic use of prostaglandin F2α at 5 and 7 weeks postpartum may improve pregnancy rate. The economic benefit of efforts to identify and treat endometritis is herd-specific.

Role of antioxidants and trace elements in health and immunity of transition dairy cows

A number of antioxidants and trace minerals have important roles in immune function and may affect health in transition dairy cows. Vitamin E and β-carotene are important cellular antioxidants. Selenium (Se) is involved in the antioxidant system via its role in the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. Inadequate dietary vitamin E or Se decreases neutrophil function during the perpariturient period. Supplementation of vitamin E and/or Se has reduced the incidence of mastitis and retained placenta, and reduced duration of clinical symptoms of mastitis in some experiments. Research has indicated that β-carotene supplementation may enhance immunity and reduce the incidence of retained placenta and metritis in dairy cows. Marginal copper deficiency resulted in reduced neutrophil killing and decreased interferon production by mononuclear cells. Copper supplementation of a diet marginal in copper reduced the peak clinical response during experimental Escherichia coli mastitis. Limited research indicated that chromium supplementation during the transition period may increase immunity and reduce the incidence of retained placenta.

Influence of parenteral application of beta-carotene on fertility in cows

Thirty Holstein breed cows from the breeding stock of high yielding dairy cattle were selected for testing. The cows were selected during their high gravidity and fell into two groups. The i.m beta-carotene, Carofertin, of 20 ml (200 mg of beta-carotene) was applied to the experimental group (n=15) two weeks before the expected parturition date. Another injection of the beta-carotene preparation was applied to the experimental group two weeks after parturition. Simultaneously, a physiological solution of 20 ml was injected i.m to the experimental group (n=15). The blood samples for testing of the beta-carotene and vitamin A concentration were taken during high gravidity and in the early puerperium two days after the beta-carotene application and on the day of parturition. Two-of parenteral application of beta-carotene before parturition does not have an impact significantly on the frequency of the occurrence of retained placenta in experimental cows comparing to the cows of the control group (x=33.3 % and x=20.0 %) and length of the service period (x =97.20?31.64 and x=98.8?35.8 days). Based on the results obtained during this research, it can be concluded that the parenteral application of the beta-carotene (Carofertin) as 200 mg per cow, which is meant for protection of the reproductive disorders of cows, does not affect the level of carotinemia when its concentration in the blood serum is within the physiological limits. Therefore, no significant discrepancy in values of the reproduction figures between the cows of the experimental and control group was found. All in all, its usage is advisable only during scarce feeding.

Antiviral activity of bovine uterus and placenta induced by Newcastle disease virus

The antiviral activity profile of the uterus and fetal membranes from bovine placenta, induced by the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) throughout gestation, was investigated. Explants of the endometrium and caruncles were collected from the uterus, and amniochorion, allantochorion and cotyledons, from fetal placenta. Tissue cultures were induced with ~6.0 hemagglutinating units (HU) of NDV. Supernatants were concentrated 20 fold, filtered in 100kDa cut-off membranes and antiviral activity was titrated in MDBK x VSV system. Tissues of the uterus did not exhibit antiviral activity, while allantochorion and amniochorion produced antiviral factors throughout gestation. Antiviral factors were not related with IFN-alpha, gamma, tau or TNF-alpha. The antiviral activity pattern observed showed to be related with the development of fetal membranes and increased at the end of pregnancy. Such data suggest that IFN genes inducible by virus are present in fetal membranes of the cow placenta and their expression is dependent on the age of gestation.

COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE PLACENTAL BARRIER AND LOCALIZATION OF ESTROGEN RECEPTORS α IN THE PLACENTA OF COWS AND BUFFALOES

The present study was conducted to identify the morphological characteristics of the placental barrier and localization of estrogen receptors α in the cow and buffalo placentas. Placentomes were collected from 3 pregnant cows and 3 pregnant buffaloes at the 5th and 6th months of gestation respectively. The placentomes were fixed by using 10% neutral buffered formalin for immunohistochimestry and were post fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde for light microscopy. Indirect immunoperoxidase staining methods using monoclonal antibody against bovine ERα as primary antibody was applied. The morphometric data were obtained by using Q500 MC Image processing and analysis program. Histological examination revealed that there is a great similarity in the structure of the placental barrier of cows and buffaloes, whereas typical six slayers of tissue were seen separating the fetal blood from the maternal one. These layers were maternal endothelium, thin layer of maternal connective tissue, maternal uterine epithelial cells, fetal trophoblast cells, fetal connective tissue and fetal endothelium. Nuclear immunoreactivities occurred mainly in the maternal crypt epithelium and maternal connective tissue cells. In about 1000 maternal uterine cryptal cells, 87.6% were positive cells for ERα in the cow placenta and about 67.8% were positive cells in the buffalo placenta. The present study concluded that although there is a great similarity in the structure of the placental barrier and expression of ERα in the placentas of cows and buffaloes interbreeding between the two species is impossible due to the different number of chromosomes set. The placenta of cows seems to be less responsive to estrogen in comparison to that of buffaloes.

Radical scavenging activity of ribonuclease inhibitor from cow placenta

Cow placenta ribonuclease inhibitor (CPRI) has been purified 5062-fold by affinity chromatography, the product being homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. The chemiluminescence technique was used to determine the radical scavenging activities of CPRI toward different reactive oxygen species (ROS) including superoxide anion (O2-*), hydroxyl radical (OH*), lipid-derived radicals (R*), and singlet oxygen (1O2). CPRI could effectively scavenge O2-*, OH*, R*, and 1O2 at EC50 of 0.12, 0.008, 0.009, and 0.006 mg/ml, respectively. In addition, the radical scavenging activities of CPRI were higher than those of tea polyphenols, indicating that CPRI is a powerful antioxidant.

Peripartal serum biochemical, haematological and hormonal changes associated with retained placenta in dairy cows

Retained placenta (RP) is one of the most important complications in cattle because it affects milk production and reproductive performance. To determine any changes between healthy cows and cows that retained their afterbirth, serum metabolites, haematological parameters and hormonal concentrations were measured 96–48 h prepartum and 24–48 h postpartum in 15 healthy and 15 RP dairy cows. Serum metabolites were not different between the two groups, pre- and postpartum; only Na was marginally lower in RP cows prepartum and albumin was marginally lower in RP cows postpartum. There were also no differences between the two groups prepartum according to blood parameters. Only fibrinogen was significantly higher in RP cows postpartum. Progesterone and cortisol did not differ significantly between the two groups pre- and postpartum but estrogen concentration was significantly lower in the RP group, pre- and postpartum. Progesterone/estrogen ratio was also significantly higher in the RP group prepartum and postpartum. In conclusion, lower estrogen concentrations and higher progesterone/estrogen ratio seem to be the main hormonal changes in RP cows and one time sampling 4 to 2 days before calving can reveal these changes.

Effect of Heat Stress on Incidence of Retained Placenta in Holstein Cows at Dry Hot Weather of Shiraz

Ahmadi, M.R. and Mirzaei, A. 2006. Effect of heat stress on incidence of retained placenta in Holstein cows at dry hot weather of Shiraz. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 29: 23–24. To study the heat stress effect on the incidence of retained placenta in dry and hot weather of Shiraz, five hundred and forty two Holstein cows were examined. The study revealed that incidence of retained placenta was 6.92, 18.3, 13.23 and 7.58% in spring, summer, fall and winter, respectively. The average temperature- humidity index (THI) was 73.2 in summer, indicating that the cows were under heat stress. It is concluded that heat stress increased the incidence of retained placenta in Holstein cows.

Prepartum Monensin for the Reduction of Energy Associated Disease in Postpartum Dairy Cows

A total of 1317 Holstein cows from 45 farms in the Canadian provinces of Quebec, Prince Edward Island (PEI) and Ontario were enrolled in a randomized trial during 1998 and 1999 to further confirm the efficacy of a monensin controlled release capsule in preventing periparturient disease in lactating dairy cows. Cows were randomized on the farms to receive either a monensin controlled release capsule (CRC) 2 to 4 wk before expected calving or to serve as negative controls. Health data were collected for 90 d postcalving and were analyzed with logistic regression accounting for the intraherd correlation with generalized estimating equations. Monensin CRC significantly reduced the incidence of both clinical ketosis and abomasal displacement postcalving. There was a numerical but nonsignificant decrease in the incidence of retained placenta in cows receiving a monensin CRC. A pooled analysis of two separate but similar studies (conducted in 1995 and 1998) demonstrated a strengthened association between monensin CRC administration precalving and reduced periparturient disease. A 40% reduction in both abomasal displacement and clinical ketosis was observed with precalving administration of a monensin CRC. In addition, the larger dataset highlighted a trend for a 25% reduction in the incidence of retained placenta in monensin-treated cows. Improved energy metabolism as a result of monensin treatment is likely the mechanism for the reduction in incidence of all three of these diseases. Thus the term “energy associated disease” was created to assess the combined impact of the precalving monensin treatment on the incidence of retained placenta, displaced abomasum, and clinical ketosis. The monensin controlled release capsule reduced the incidence of energy associated disease by 30%.

Factors Leading to Endometritis in Dairy Cows in Egypt with Special Reference to Reproductive Performance.

The incidence of endometritis and risk factors between herds and between breeds and its effect on the subsequent fertility of cows may differ among countries. It is therefore necessary to study the etiology of endometritis in these different circumstances. This work was carried out on 190 Holstein Friesian cows (2.5-13 years old) belonging to El-Salhia Agriculture project (Ismailia Province, Egypt) during the period from January 1996 to April 1997. The incidence of endometritis was 22.4%, and the most prominent risk factors leading to the occurrence of endometritis were retained placenta, stillbirth, external interference by herdmen during calving and difficult birth (20.6, 19.1, 12.3 and 5.3% respectively). The cows in the first parity had a higher incidence of endometritis (27.7%) than cows in the subsequent parities. Cows which calved in autumn (31.2%) had a higher incidence of endometritis than cows which calved in the other seasons. The endometritic cows had inferior reproductive indices than the normal cows. The interval between calving and first service in cows with endometritis was 14 days longer than the normal ones. The first service conception rate (12.5%) and final conception rate (45.5%) in cows with endometritis were lower than those in the normal cows (50 and 100%) (P<0.05 ). In conclusion the most important risk factors leading to endometritis are retained placenta and abnormal calving in dairy cows in Egypt. Moreover, postpartum endometritis adversely affects subsequent fertility in dairy cows in Egypt.

Association of Prepartum Plasina Non-esterified Fatty Acid Concentration with Retained Placenta in Multiparous Holstein Cows

Nutritional management of dairy cows during the dry period influences risk of peripartum disease. Means of rapidly monitoring nutritional status and the effectiveness of prepartum diets, prior to the development of disease, are needed by the dairy industry. Plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration is a potential means of monitoring energy status in late gestation cows. High plasma NEFA concentration is associated positively with the incidence of peripartum disease dairy cows.1,3 The objective of this project was to determine, via multivariate analysis, the relationship between prepartum plasma NEFA concentration and risk of retained placenta (RP) in dairy cows.

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and Tissue Inhibitor-2 of Matrix Metalloproteinases (TIMP-2) in the Placenta and Interplacental Uterine Wall in Normal Cows and in Cattle with Retention of Fetal Membranes

Matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) play a key role in tissue re-modelling in the placenta. In the present study, distribution of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 was demonstrated immunohistochemically in the bovine placenta and interplacentomal tissue. Specimens representing the whole gestation until parturition were processed. Additionally, materials from cows with and without retention of fetal membranes were compared. MMP-2 expression was abundant in the maternal septae of the placentome in early gestation, with ongoing pregnancy immunoreactivity was restricted to the stromal tissue at the openings of maternal crypts. The chorionic epithelium opposite to these regions was also positive for MMP-2. MMP-9 expression was observed in the chorionic epithelium, except in the giant binucleate cells. In addition, the maternal epithelium and stroma showed immunoreactivity for MMP-9. No differences in MMP-2 and MMP-9 distribution could be observed between cows with proper release of fetal membranes and cows with retained fetal membranes. Giant binucleate cells expressed TIMP-2 during the whole gestation. Immunostaining for α-smooth muscle actin revealed contractile elements in the bovine placentome. Balance between proteolytic enzymes and their activators and inhibitors is essential for regular development of the placenta. The expression of TIMP-2 in the giant binucleate cells indicates an essential role of inhibitory factors during gestation. It is likely that less TIMP-2 is produced at the end of pregnancy as the number of binucleate cells is diminished.