Relationship among uterine involution, ovarian activity, blood metabolites and subsequent reproductive performance in Egyptian buffaloes

Hassan A. Hussein, Waleed Senosy, Mahmoud R. Abdellah

Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.

DOI: 10.4236/ojas.2013.31009                

Abstract

The aim of the study to monitor post partal uterine involution, ovarian activity and biochemical parameters and it is relation to the subsequent fertility. A total sixty normal calving pluriparous buffaloes were examined between 14th and 75th day post partum (p.p.) rectaly, ultrasonically and blood sampling were collected on weekly sessions. There were differences (P < 0.01) between pregnant (PREG) and non-pregnant (NPREG) groups in Body condition score (BCS) and body weights. There was a difference between previous gravid uterine horn (PGUH) and non-gravid uterine horn (NPGUH) diameter in PREG and NPREG groups at 28th day p.p. The calving to first service interval in the PREG group was shorter (P = 0.03) than that of NPREG one. The number of buffaloes with dominant follicles (DF 3 8 mmdiameter) in ipsilateral and contralateral ovary to the PGUH in PREG group was higher (P < 0.01) than in NPREG. The calving to first service interval in the PREG group having DF in the ovary ipsilateral to the PGUH (n = 16) was shorter (P < 0.01) than those buffaloes having no DF (n = 18). The number of service per conception and days open in the PREG buffaloes which had no DF in the ovary ipsilateral to the PGUH were higher and longer (P < 0.01) than that which had DF group. The values of glucose and triglyceride were higher (P = 0.057) in PREG than NPREG group. In conclusion, postpartum ovarian activity has positive effect on the uterine involution and postpartum profile of some metabolities may be a good predictor of fertility status of buffaloes.

Keywords

Reproductive Performance; Ovarian Activity; Uterine Involution; Metabolic Profile; Egyptian Buffaloes

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	El-Wishy, A.B. (2007) The postpartum buffalo: I. Endocrinological changes and uterine involution. Animal Reproduction Science, 97, 201-215. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2006.03.004
[2]	Butler, W.R. and Smith, R.D. (1989) Interrelationships between energy balance and postpartum reproductive func- tion in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 72, 767-783. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(89)79169-4
[3]	Konigsson, K., Savoini, G., Govoni, N., Invernizzi, G., Prandi, A., Kindahl, H. and Veronesi, M.C. (2008) Energy balance, leptin, NEFA and IGF-I plasma concentrations and resumption of post partum ovarian activity in swedish red and white breed cows. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 50, 3. doi:10.1186/1751-0147-50-3
[4]	Bertics, S.J., Grummer, R.R., Cadomiga, V.C. and Stoddard, E.E. (1992) Effect of prepartum dry matter intake on liver triglyceride concentration and early lactation. Journal of Dairy Science, 75, 1914-1922. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(92)77951-X
[5]	Reid, I.M. and Roberts, C.J. (1983) Subclinical fatty liver in dairy cows. Irish Veterinary Journal, 37, 104-110.
[6]	Gerloff, B.J., Herdt, T.H. and Emery, R.S. (1986) Relationship of hepatic lipidosis to health and performance in dairy cattle. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 188, 845-850.
[7]	Canfield, R.W. and Butler, W.R. (1990) Energy balance and pulsatile LH secretion in early postpartum dairy cattle. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 7, 323-330. doi:10.1016/0739-7240(90)90038-2
[8]	Zurek, E., Foxcroft, G.R. and Kennelly, J.J. (1995) Metabolic status and interval to first ovulation in postpartum dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 78, 1909-1920. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(95)76816-3
[9]	Villa-Godoy, G.A., Hughes, T.L., Emery, R.S., Chapin, L.T. and Fogwell, R.L. (1988) Association between energy balance and luteal function in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 71, 1063-1072. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(88)79653-8
[10]	NRC (2001) Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle. 7th Edition, National Academies Press, Washington DC, 381.
[11]	Edmonson, A.J., Lean, I.J., Weaver, L.D., Farver, T. and Webster, G. (1989) A body condition scoring chart for Holstein dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Research, 72, 68- 78. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(89)79081-0
[12]	Kask, K., Kin-dahl, H. and Gustafsson, H. (2000) Resumption of uterine and ovarian functions following dexamethasone-induced parturition in dairy cows. Acta Veterinaria Baltica, 3, 11-21.
[13]	Bekana, M., Ekman, T. and Kindahl, H. (1994) Ultrasonography of the bovine postpartum uterus with retained fetal membranes. Journal of Veterinary Medicine A, 41, 653-662. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0442.1994.tb00133.x
[14]	Sheldon, I.M., Noakes, D.E., Rycroft, A.N. and Dobson, H. (2002) Effect of postpartum manual examination of the vagina on uterine bacterial contamination in cows. Veterinary Record, 151, 531-534. doi:10.1136/vr.151.18.531
[15]	Friedewald, T.W., Levy, R.I. and Fredrickson, D.S. (1972) Estimation of concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol without the use of the pre-parative ultracentrifuge. Clinical Chemistry, 18, 499.
[16]	SPSS (2007) IBM SPSS statistics 19 core system, user’s guide, version 16.0. Statistical Analysis System Institute, Inc., Chica-go.
[17]	de Vries, M.J. and Veerkamp, R.F. (2000) Energy balance of dairy cattle in relation to milk production variables and fertility. Journal of Dairy Science, 83, 62-69. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(00)74856-9
[18]	Buckley, F., O’Sullivan, K., Mee, J.F., Evans, R.D. and Dillon, P. (2003) Relationships among milk yield, body condition, cow weight, and reproduction in spring-calving Holstein-Friesians. Journal of Dairy Science, 86, 2308- 2319. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(03)73823-5
[19]	Roche, J.R., Macdonald, K.A., Burke, C.R., Lee, J.M. and Berry, D.P. (2007) Associations among body condition score, body weight, and reproductive performance in seasonal-calving dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 90, 376-391. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(07)72639-5
[20]	Heinonen, K., Ettala, E. and Alanko, M. (1988) Effect of postpartum live weight loss on reproductive functions in dairy cows. Acta Vete-rinaria Scandinavica, 29, 249-254.
[21]	Raheja, K.L., Burnside, E.B. and Schaeffer, L.R. (1989) Relationship between fertility and production in Holstein dairy cattle in different lactations. Journal of Dairy Science, 72, 2670-2678. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(89)79408-X
[22]	Villa-Godoy, A., Hughs, T.L., Emery, R.S., Chapin, L.T. and Fogwell, R.L. (1990) Influence of energy balance and body condition on estrus and estrous cycles in Holstein heifers. Journal of Dairy Science, 73, 2759-2765. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(90)78961-8
[23]	Butler, W.R., Everett, R.W. and Coppock, C.E. (1981) The relationships between energy balance, milk production and ovulation in post-partum Holstein cows. Journal of Animal Science, 53, 742-748.
[24]	Hoekstra, J., Van der Lugt, A.W., Van der Werf, J.H.J. and Ouweltjes, W. (1994) Genetic and phenotypic para-meters for milk production and fertility traits in upgraded dairy cattle. Livestock Production Science, 40, 225-232. doi:10.1016/0301-6226(94)90090-6
[25]	Beam, S.W. and Butler, W.R. (1999) Energy balance effects on follicular development and first ovulation in post- partum cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility (Suppl.), 54, 411-424.
[26]	Darwash, A.O., Lamming, G.E. and Woolliams, J.A. (1999) The potential for identifying heritable endocrine parameters associated with fertility in post-partum dairy cows. Journal of Animal Science, 68, 333-347.
[27]	Royal, M.D., Darwash, A.O., Flint, A.P.F., Webb, R., Woolliams, J.A., and Lamming, G.E. (2000) Declin-ing fertility in dairy cattle: Changes in traditional and endocrine parameters of fertility. Journal of Animal Science, 70, 487-501.
[28]	Sheldon, I.M., Noakes, D.E., Rycroft, A.N. and Dobson, H. (2003) The effect of intrauterine administration of estradiol on postpartum uterine involution in cattle. Therioge-nology, 59, 1357-1371. doi:10.1016/S0093-691X(02)01169-X
[29]	Hussein, H.A. (2005) Ultrasonographic evaluation for the effect of postpartal ovarian activity and uterine involution on subsequent reproductive performance of dairy cows. Assiut Veterinary Medical Journal, 51, 262-272.
[30]	Usmani, R.H. (1992) Effect of non-gravid uterine horn on the pattern of resumption of ovarian functions in postpartum Nili Ravi buffaloes. Buffalo Journal, 8, 265-270.
[31]	Singh, N., Chauhan, F.S. and Singh, M. (1979) Postpartum ovarian activity and fertility in buffaloes. Indian Journal of Dairy Science, 32, 134-139.
[32]	Ireland, J.J., Fog-well, R.L., Oxender, W.D., Ames, K. and Cowley, J.L. (1984) Production of estradiol by each ovary during the estrus cycle of cows. Journal of Animal Science, 59, 764-771.
[33]	Bonnet, B.N., Martin, S.W. and Meek, A.H. (1993) Assocciations of clinical findings, bacteriological and histological results of endometrial biopsy with reproductive performance of post par-tum dairy cows. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 15, 205-220. doi:10.1016/0167-5877(93)90114-9
[34]	El-Fouly, M.A., Afifi, Y. and Kirrella, A.K. (1977) Service period length in a herd of experimental buffaloes. Egypt. Journal of Animal Production, 17, 63-73.
[35]	El-Wishy, A.B. (1979) Reproductive performance of Iraqi buffaloes. I. Pattern of female reproduction. Beitr?ge zur tropischen Landwirtschaft und Veterin?rmedizin, 17, 77- 83.
[36]	Chaudhry, M.A., Ahmad, M. and Khan, N.U. (1987) Postpartum involution of the cervix and uterus in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Buffalo Journal, 3, 87-92.
[37]	Shah, R.G., Dhami, A.J., Kharadi, V.B., Desai, P.M. and Kavani, F.S. (2004) Hormonal profile in fertile and infertile postpartum Surti buffaloes. Buffalo Journal, 20, 29- 42.
[38]	Shanks, R.D., Freeman, A.E. and Berger, P.J. (1979) Relationship of reproductive factors with interval and rate of conception. Journal of Dairy Science, 62, 74-84. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(79)83205-1
[39]	Darwash, A.O., Lamming, G.E. and Woolliams, J.A. (1997) The phynotypic association between the interval to post partum ovulation and trantional measures of fertility in dairy cattle. Journal of Animal Science, 65, 9-16. doi:10.1017/S1357729800016234
[40]	Smith, M.C. and Wal-lace, J.M. (1998) Influence of post partum ovulation on re-establishment of pregnancy in multiparous and primiparous dairy cattle. Reproduction, Fertlity and Development, 10, 207-216. doi:10.1071/R98012
[41]	Usmani, R.H., Ullah, N. and Shah, S.K. (1985) A note on the effect of suckling stimulus on uterine involution, postpartum ovarian activity and fertility in Nili Ravi buffaloes. Journal of Animal Production, 41, 119-122. doi:10.1017/S000335610001761X
[42]	Tiwari, S.R. and Pa-thak, M.M. (1995) Influence of suckling on postpartum reproductive performance of Surti buffaloes. Buffalo Journal, 11, 213-217.
[43]	Usmani, R.H., Dailey, R.A. and Inskeep, E.K. (1990) Effects of limited suckling and varying prepartum nutrition on postpartum reproductive traits of milked buffaloes. Journal of Dairy Science, 73, 1564-1570. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(90)78826-1
[44]	Takkar, O.P., Singh, N., Jagjit, K. and Chaudhary, K.C. (1999) Augmentation of postpartum reproductive efficiency by the use of GnRH in buffaloes. Indian Journal of Animal Reproduction, 20, 9-11.
[45]	Ahmed, N., Chaudhary, R.A., Tahir, M. and Ashraf, M. (1982) Seasonal variations in the frequency of oestrus, conception and calving in buffaloes under Pakistani conditions. Proceeding of the 28th Pakistan Science Confarance, Multan, 58.
[46]	Devraj, M. and Janakiraman, K. (1986) Postpartum performance of Surti buffaloes. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 56, 532-534.
[47]	Bertoni, G., Lombardelli, R. and Orioli, F. (1999) Postpartum reproductive and metabolic behaviour of fertile and infertile dairy cows with different genetic merit. Associazione Scientifica di Produzione Animale (ASPA), Pia- cenza, 21-24 June, 413-415.
[48]	Khasatiya, C.T. (2005) Reproductive traits and metabolic profile in postpartum fertile and infertile surti buffaloes. Indian Veterinary Journal, 82, 637-641.
[49]	Marcos, E., Mazur, A., Cardot, P. and Rayssi-guier, Y. (1990) Serum apolipoprotein B and A-I and naturally occurring fatty liver in dairy cows. Lipids, 25, 575-577. doi:10.1007/BF02537168
[50]	Oikawa, S., Katoh, N., Kawawa, F. and Ono, Y. (1995) Decreased serum apolipoprotein B-100 and A-I concentrations in cows with ketosis and left displacement of the abomasum. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 58, 121-125.
[51]	Oikawa, S. and Katoh, N. (1997) Reduced concentrations of apolipoproteins B-100 and A-I in serum from cows with retained placenta. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 61, 312-314.
[52]	Oikawa, S. and Katoh, N. (2002) Decreases in serum apolipoprotein B-100 and A-I concentrations in cows with milk fever and downer cows. Ca-nadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 66, 31-34.
[53]	Marcos, E., Mazur, A., Cardot, P. and Rayssiguier, Y. (1990) The effect of pregnancy and lactation on serum lipid and apolipoprotein B and A-I. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 64, 133-138. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0396.1990.tb00214.x
[54]	Yamamoto, O., Oikawa, S. and Katoh, N. (1995) Enzyme-linked immunosor-bent assay for serum apolipoprotein B- 100, a major triglyce-ride-transport protein in dairy cows. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 56, 1413-1417.
[55]	Rudling, M.J. and Peterson, C.O. (1985) A simple binding assay for the determination of low-density lipoprotein receptors in cell homogenates. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 833, 359-365. doi:10.1016/0005-2760(85)90091-8
[56]	Carrol, D.J., Grum-mer, R.R. and Mao, F.C. (1992) Progesterone production by cultured luteal cells in the presence of bovine low- and high-density lipoproteins purified by heparin affinity chromatography. Journal of Animal Science, 70, 2516-2526.