Effects of injectable trace element and vitamin supplementation during the gestational, peri-parturient, or early lactational periods on neutrophil functions and pregnancy rate in dairy cows.

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of injectable trace element and vitamin combination on phagocytic, oxidative burst activity of neutrophils and reproductive outcomes in dairy cows. Cows were to assigned to the following groups: (1) injectable trace element supplementation (ITES, n = 44, containing zinc, manganese, copper, selenium); (2) injectable vitamin supplementation (VIT, n = 48, containing vitamins A, D3, E); (3) ITES + VIT (n = 46); and (4) control (CON, n = 44). Cows were administered four injections between 230 and 260 days of the gestational period, on day of parturition, and 30 days postpartum. Neutrophil function was assessed at 10 days before and after calving. Phagocytosis was greater in cows of the ITES + VIT group at 10 days prepartum (P < 0.05) while oxidative burst was similar among groups. There were greater non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations in cows of the ITES+VIT group at 10 days prepartum (P < 0.05). Cows supplemented with ITES+ VIT had less SOD activity than those supplemented with ITES or vitamin during the pre- to post-partum transition period (P < 0.05). The total odds of pregnancy were greater in cows supplemented with trace element and/or vitamin (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of ITES and/or VIT resulted in an increased total pregnancy rate. Vitamin or trace element supplementation did not differ with the control group in both the prepartum and postpartum period for immune variables. There, however, was greater phagocytosis in cows supplemented with vitamin and trace elements during the prepartum period that might be related to metabolic-induced inflammation.

Impact of Prepartum Body Condition Score Loss on Metabolic Status During the Transition Period and Subsequent Fertility in Brown Swiss Dairy Cows.

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this study were to determine the role of a fall in pre-calving body condition score (BCS) in postpartum metabolic status and reproductive outcomes, and gauge the indicativeness of blood metabolites during the transition period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cows were grouped based on BCS loss between days -14 ±3 and 0 relative to calving. Cows that lost no BCS were the BCS control group (BCS-C), cows that lost 0.25 BCS points the low BCS loss group (BCS-L), and those that lost 0.5 points or more the high BCS loss (BCS-H) group. Blood was taken on days -14 ±3, 3, 14, and 30 ±4 for determination of comprehensive metabolic panel biomarker levels. Beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) levels were quantified on postpartum examination days. Vaginal discharge scores, ovarian activity on day 30 ±4, and subsequent fertility parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The BCS-H cows had lower mean Ca concentrations before calving and on day 3, when the group's BHBA and CK were higher (P < 0.05); on day 14 they had higher AST concentrations (P < 0.05). The BCS-L cows had greater bilirubin levels (P < 0.05). The BCS-H cows had lower cyclicity and higher endometritis rates. First service pregnancy rates were 50%, 50%, and 61.9%, open days 96.8, 95.75, and 89.2, and overall pregnancy rates 56.25%, 65%, and 80.95 % in the BCS-H, BCS-L, and BCS-C groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Prepartum BCS loss of ≥ 0.5 points could be associated with Brown Swiss cow low Ca and BHBA concentrations early postpartum, and with subsequent uterine health and overall pregnancy rate. Prepartum Ca concentration might be a prognostic biomarker for postpartum metabolic status and reproductive outcomes.

The evaluation of superoxide dismutase activity, neutrophil function, and metabolic profile in cows with retained placenta.

The present study aimed to determine the alterations in pre- and postpartum immune function, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and serum metabolite changes in Brown Swiss cows with or without retained placenta (RP). Peripheral blood was sampled at -10 ±â€¯4 days antepartum and 10 ±â€¯4 days postpartum for the assessment of neutrophil phagocytic and oxidative burst activities by using flow cytometry. SOD activity, beta hydroxybutiric acid (BHB), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), calcium (Ca), phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine kinase (CK), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, cholesterol, glucose, urea, albumin, total protein, and triglyceride concentrations were also measured from serum samples collected at -10 ±â€¯4, 3 ±â€¯1, 10 ±â€¯4, and 30 ±â€¯4 days relative to parturition. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SPSS. Neutrophil phagocytic and oxidative burst activities, phagocytic and oxidative fluorescence intensity, and phagocytic and oxidative indexes were similar among the groups (P > 0.05). However, serum SOD activity was 30 ±â€¯4 IU/ml and 17 ±â€¯2 IU/mL for cows that subsequently developed RP and healthy cows at -10 ±â€¯4 days antepartum, respectively (P < 0.05). Body condition scores were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). All investigated serum metabolic parameters varied significantly over time (P < 0.001). Cows affected with RP had subclinical hypocalcemia (8.06 ±â€¯0.3 mg/dl) and had significantly higher BHB levels (1027 ±â€¯137.9 mmoL/l) at 3 ±â€¯1 days postpartum. Furthermore, these cows had greater AST and NEFA concentrations around calving (P < 0.05). In conclusion, retained placenta had no prolonged effect on the measures of neutrophil function during the postpartum period. On the other hand, increased antepartum SOD activity might be a predisposing factor and can be used as a predictive biomarker for retained placenta.

MDA and GSH-Px Activity in Transition Dairy Cows Under Seasonal Variations and their Relationship with Reproductive Performance.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels under seasonal variations in dairy cows during transition period, and to assess the relationship between chosen reproductive parameters, GSH-Px, and MDA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Holstein cows calving in January were assigned into winter group (n = 42), while cows calving in August were assigned into summer group (n = 42). Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein 21, 14, and 7 days before calving, at calving (0 day), and 7, 14, and 21 days after calving. Reproductive parameters obtained from farm records were evaluated. RESULTS: In both groups of cows, GSH-Px activity decreased from 21 days before calving to day 0, and it gradually continued to increase until 21 days after calving. GSH-Px activity was higher in winter group compared to summer group during the transition period (P < 0.05). MDA levels in both groups increased over time starting from 21 days before calving to 0 day, but it gradually decreased thereafter. MDA levels were higher in summer group compared to winter group during the transition periods (P < 0.05). Summer group of cows showed higher intervals of calving-to-oestrus, calving-to-conception, and higher insemination index (P < 0.01). Negative correlation was recorded between GSH-Px and MDA during all examination days (P < 0.01). MDA levels correlated with calving to conception interval on day 21 before calving and day 0 (P < 0.01) and insemination index on day 0 and 21 days after calving (P < 0.01). GSH-Px activity was negatively correlated with calving to conception interval on day 21 before calving, day 0, and 21 days (P < 0.01) after calving. Negative correlation on day 21 before calving and day 0 was also determined between GSH-Px and insemination index (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study showed that blood oxidant and antioxidant levels have affected the fertility parameters in cows under seasonal variations.

The effects of EGF and IGF-1 on FSH-mediated in vitro maturation of domestic cat oocytes derived from follicular and luteal stages.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-1) on the in vitro maturation of cat oocytes recovered from follicular and luteal stage ovaries. Oocytes from follicular (n=580) and luteal (n=209) stages were harvested and divided into four groups, which were cultured in FSH-mediated maturation medium supplemented with: (1) EGF alone (25ng/mL); (2) IGF-1 alone (100ng/mL); (3) EGF+IGF-1 (25ng/mL EGF+100ng/mL IGF-I); or (4) no growth factor (control). The proportion of follicular stage oocytes reaching the metaphase II stage was significantly higher than that of oocytes obtained at the luteal stage in both control and study groups (p<0.001). The percentages of oocytes reaching the metaphase II stage during the follicular period were 62.6% in control; 70.9% in EGF; 72.8% in IGF-1, and 78.1% in EGF+IGF-1 groups, whereas the respective values for gametes collected from luteal stage ovaries were 12.5%, 17.5%, 12.5%, and 16.9%. Additionally, the differences between the study and control groups were significant in the case of follicular stage oocytes. Finally, supplementing the maturation medium with EGF and/or IGF-1 significantly enhanced the meiotic maturation of oocytes recovered from follicular stage ovaries. The present study also demonstrated that the combination of EGF and IGF-I provides an additional or synergic effect on meiotic maturation of oocytes recovered from the follicular stage.

Bone Fracture Healing with Umbilico-Placental Mononuclear Cells: A Controlled Animal Study.

BACKGROUND: Fracture healing is a significant process in orthopedics. In this controlled animal study, our aimis to expose the healing effects of cord blood umbilico-placental mononuclear cells (UPMNCs) on bone fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Caesarean sections were performed on five pregnant New Zealand rabbits at term. Placentas and cords were collected. Standard closed transverse shaft fractures were created on both tibial bones of 15 baby rabbits. The right tibias were given UPMNCs; the left tibias were the control group. Histological examinations, osteoblast and osteoclast cell counts, and mechanical stabilities were compared. Anchorage of the donor cells was shown by the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. RESULTS: In the group injected with UPMNCs, histopathological fracture healing was faster, osteoblast and osteoclast counts were significantly increased, and the maximum load capacity was higher. The presence of XX and XY chromatins on the same slide revealed the anchorage of female donor cells on male tissues. CONCLUSION: The effects of umbilico-placental mononuclear cells on bone healing are histopathological healing priority, increased osteoblastic and osteoclastic activities (bone turnover), and better mechanical stability.