Background and Aim: Puerperal diseases influence fertility and should be diagnosed as soon as possible. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of serum concentrations of substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and interleukin (IL)1β in the early diagnosis of uterine involution disturbances. Materials and Methods: Blood serum samples of 86 dairy cows from six different farms were harvested within the first 20 days after calving from cows with uterine involution disturbances and healthy controls, respectively. Serum concentrations for SP, VIP, and IL-1β were determined using commercially available ELISA test kits. Statistical analyses included timely changes in blood serum levels and group comparisons of healthy cows and cows with uterine disease. Results: SP concentrations increased significantly within 20 days after calving (p<0.04) with no significant difference observed between the groups. Moreover, no significant differences were found between VIP and log IL-1β. Conclusion: Results showed that none of the examined serum parameters seems suitable as indicator of uterine involution disorders. Due to the timely changes in serum concentrations of SP after calving, a correlation to diseases might not be precluded. Further research is needed as regards the establishment of normative values concerning this parameter.

The sperm quality supplied by producers is an urgent problem in the field of livestock breeding. Therefore, monitoring the health of male producers and sperm quality is of great priority. The study aimed to assess the reproductive performance of bulls using laboratory, clinical, morphological, ultrasound and reflexological techniques. A total of 17 heads of Kazakh-white-headed, Holstein-Frieze and Simmental breeds were studied. The quality of sperm was evaluated by the laboratory, clinical, morphological, ultrasound and reflexological diagnostic methods were used to determine the physiological state of the genitals. The results revealed that 11 (65%) bulls were included with high and good reproductive bulls and 6 (35%) with reduced reproductive abilities. The reliability of the measuring method for the morphological development of the scrotum and ultrasound coincides with the data of sperm quality by 66.6% and studying sexual reflexes on a point scale by 50%. When assessing the male reproductive performance, measuring the morphological development of the testes, studying sexual reflexes on a point scale and ultrasound examination of the testes and their appendages are recommended.

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The color chart makes it possible to determine the color of the lochia more objectively and to use it for disease detection.