The effect of parity (multiparous vs primiparous) and body condition score (BCS; <3.0 or $ 3.0, lean vs fat) at parturition on metabolic and endocrine profiles from 1 month before to 2 months after parturition were studied in 42 Holstein cows grazing on improved pastures. BCS and milk production were determined every 2 weeks. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), b-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), insulin, IGF-I, leptin, thyroxine (T4) and 3,3 0 ,5-tri-iodothyroinine (T3) were determined in plasma every 10 days. Progesterone was determined three times per week after parturition. Primiparous cows had a lower BCS during the early postpartum period and produced less milk than multiparous animals. Primiparous cows had higher NEFA concentrations and they presented more samples with BHB concentrations of >1 mmol/l than multiparous cows. Multiparous cows had higher T3, T4 and IGF-I concentrations, while fat cows had higher leptin and IGF-I concentrations. All hormone concentrations were diminished in the first week postpartum. Primiparous cows and fat cows presented a steeper decay of IGF-I and leptin around parturition than multiparous cows and lean cows. While thyroid hormones and IGF-I showed increasing concentrations from approximately day 30, leptin concentrations remained low until the end of the experimental period. The initiation of ovarian cyclicity was delayed in primiparous cows and especially in primiparous lean cows, consistent with longer intervals from parturition to first service and to conception. The endocrine signals most likely to inform the reproductive axis regarding a negative energy balance were IGF-I and leptin.

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ContentsThe interrelation of uterine culture with course of involution, resumption of cyclic ovarian activity and subsequent reproduction were studied. It was observed that in acute putrid (end0)metriti.s (APE) the A . pyogenes, E. coli and some Gram-negative (GN) anaerobes have more important role in the pathogenesis than other bacteria. The intrauterine A . pyogenes infection lasting for 4 to 5 weeks or longer (with or without simultaneous GN anaerobic infection) was the most detrimental on fertility, perhaps due to the increased rate of suspected embryonic death. If predictive information is required on the subsequent fertility, the isolation of A . pyogenes on the 5'h week after calving seems to be sufficient for monitoring the uterine condition. The APE was able to elongate the postpartum anovulatory period and increase the prevalence of anovulatory cysts.

SUMMARYThe mastitis caused by P. zopfii alga is a disease of highproducing, machine-milked dairy cows. It occurs worldwide in tropical and temperate climatic areas, and mostly appears sporadically in a therapy-resistant form. However, in poorly managed dairy herds it may be endemic, causing serious economic losses as a result of decreased milk quality and quantity and culling of infected animals. The biological properties of this pathogenic alga, the laboratory methods available for its isolation and identification, the pathological and clinical features of this form of mastitis, and the principles of its control are reviewed in this paper.

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