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Uterine inflammation negatively affects reproductive performance and is an important cause of infertility and subfertility in dairy cows. Several studies have investigated the use of gene expression in endometrial samples collected by biopsy or cytology to evaluate the inflammatory response of the cow uterus. This study aimed to compare the expression of the CCL5, CXCL8, IL6, and IL1B genes in the bovine endometrium according to the site of sample collection [caruncular (C) or intercaruncular (IC)], the collection method (biopsy or cytology), and the category of inflammation based on endometrial cytology (zero, medium, or high) in subclinical endometritis. The reproductive tracts of dairy cows were collected from a slaughterhouse, and punch-biopsy samples of endometrial tissues were obtained from both regions (C and IC). Endometrial cells from these regions were collected with the cytobrush technique and then used for the analysis of mRNA expression by quantitative PCR. After counting polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) by endometrial cytology, 20 uteri with an ovary at stage I (d 1-4 of estrous cycle) were categorized into 3 groups. Uteri with 0% PMN (n = 10) were assigned to group zero, uteri with 5 to 15% PMN (n = 5) to group medium (12.2 ± 1.6% PMN), and uteri with >15% PMN (n = 5) to group high (53.8 ± 32.9% PMN). All data were analyzed with 2-way ANOVA with Bonferroni multiple comparison post test. The results from gene transcripts demonstrated that the region (C or IC) of the endometrial biopsy had no influence on any of the degrees of inflammatory reaction observed. However, gene expression was more elevated in the endometrium of cows with greater inflammation compared with those without inflammation (CCL5, CXCL8, IL6, IL1B) and those with medium inflammation (CCL5, IL6). Expression of the genes evaluated did not differ between the endometrium without inflammation and with medium inflammation. However, in the high inflammation group, all genes were comparatively more expressed in samples collected by cytology relative to those derived from biopsies for both anatomical regions. In conclusion, gene expression did not differ between the C and IC tissue. Samples collected from animals with greater inflammation had greater gene expression than those with zero or medium inflammation. In addition, cytology samples had greater gene expression than biopsy samples in the high inflammation group.

RESUMO.-O conhecimento do metabolismo dos animais é de suma importância para se obter sucesso em qualquer atividade que envolva rebanhos. Objetivou-se determinar o perfil bioquímico sérico de vacas Jersey clinicamente saudáveis no pré e pós-parto, mantidas em sistema de criação semi-intensivo na região de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Realizou-se o exame clínico e coleta de sangue de 40 vacas da raça Jersey multíparas e lactantes em 15 momentos, entre -150 dias pré-parto até 60 dias pós-parto (DPP). No laboratório, foram analisadas as concentrações séricas de proteínas totais, albumina, globulinas, ureia, creatinina, ácidos graxos não esterificados (NEFA), β-hidroxibutirato (BHBA), triglicerídeos, colesterol, lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL), lipoproteínas de muita baixa densidade (VLDL), lipoproteínas de baixa densi dade (LDL), aspartato aminotransferase (AST), gama-glutamil transferase (GGT), creatina quinase (CK), cálcio, fósforo e magnésio. Dos 40 animais, apenas 21 vacas atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e seus dados foram utilizados. Procedeu-se o teste de Tukey para os dados paramétricos e para os dados não paramétricos realizou-se o teste de Kruskal Wallis na comparação entre os momentos avaliados. Não houve interferência do balanço energético negativo e da hipocalcemia subclínica na ocorrência de doenças uterinas e no desempenho reprodutivo. Concluiu-se que vacas da raça Jersey apresentam perfil bioquímico caracterizado por hiperglobulinemia durante o periparto, além de níveis elevados de triglicérides, entretanto, sem comprometimento da função hepática e desempenho reprodutivo. The understanding of animal metabolism is important for the success of livestock activity. The aim of this study was to determine the serum biochemical profile of clinically healthy Jersey cows in pre and postpartum, housed in semi-intensive production system in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Clinical examination and blood collection from 40 multiparous lactating dairy cows, between -150 days prepartum up to 60 days postpartum (DPP) were performed. At the laboratory, serum parameters of total proteins, albumin, globulins, urea, creatinine, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were analyzed. To the total of cows (n=40) enrolled, only 21 cows were complied with the inclusion criterias. It was proceeded the Tukey test for parametric data, and to the nonparametric data it was held the Kruskal Wallis test for the comparison between days evaluated. There was no interference of negative energy balance and subclinical hypocalcemia in the occurrence of uterine diseases and reproductive performance. In conclusion, Jersey cows have biochemical profile characterized by hyperglobulinemia during peripartum, and high levels of triglycerides, but without imp...

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis that affects several species of domestic and wild animals and is an important cause of economic losses in cattle in Brazil. In this study, we determined the prevalence of bovine leptospirosis in the Triângulo Mineiro region, Minas Gerais, Brazil, identified the most frequent serovars of Leptospira interrogans, and examine the renal pathological changes associated with the disease. Samples of blood serum and kidney fragments from 100 bovine females were collected in cattle abattoir. In the serological investigation 48% of the cows were positive. The serovars for which there were more reactive animals were Wolffi (24%), Hardjo (21%) and Hebdomadis (18%). Among the positive samples, 14/48 showed antibody titers greater than 1:100, and 70.83% of the seropositive animals responded to more than one Leptospira interrogans serovar. Only one farm did not have seropositive cows and in nine farms studied, six (66.66%) presented seropositive animals to the Hebdomadis serovar. At the histopathological examination, the most frequent microscopic lesions in positive animals were hyalinization (81.25%), congestion (81.25%) and hydropic degeneration (70.83%). However, these histopathological alterations were also found in kidneys of animals negative to serology, such as hyalinization (80.77%), congestion (48.07%) and hydropic degeneration (55.77%) and these findings are unrelated to positivity. Histopathological examination of the kidneys is not indicated to replace the serological diagnosis of leptospirosis, and may be used only as a complementary examination. Despite the low frequency of seropositive animals in the Triângulo Mineiro region, the disease is present in a large number of farms. Noteworthy is the high frequency of serovar Hebdomadis and it can be considered an emerging serovar in the region. The evaluation of the frequency of this serovar in other regions becomes important, and once verified should result in the recommendation of the inclusion of this serovar in the leptospirosis control.

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