This research was conducted to study hormonal and metabolic statuses and to determine ultrasound criteria for early diagnosis of fetal growth retardation syndrome (FGRS) in dairy cows of Black-motley (n = 41) and Red-motley (n = 56) Holstein breeds. Concentrations of progesterone, testosterone, 17β-estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, cortisol, and triiodothyronine in blood serum were assessed by immune-enzyme analysis. Concentrations of plasma L-ascorbic acid and nitrogen oxides, serum immune globulin, middle molecular peptides, and bactericidal and lysozyme activity were determined by spectrophotometry. On days 38-40 and 60-65 of gestation, FGRS in cows was associated with hypoprogesteronemia, decrease of adrenal and thyroid gland functions, decreased nitric oxide synthesis, low immune responsiveness, and high endogenous intoxication. In conclusion, body length less than 16 mm on days 38-40 and less than 45 mm on days 60-65 are the criteria for designating underdevelopment of embryos and fetuses in dairy cows. FGRS genesis in dairy cows is determined by the embryo's and fetus's malnutrition at the early implantation and placentation stages, caused by the imbalance of endocrine regulation, nitric oxide systems, and endogenous intoxication.

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A b s t r a c tFree radical lipid oxidation is currently considered as one of the dominant metabolic processes of physiological system functional activity. When it goes beyond regulated limits it is considered as an inductor of free radical pathology oxidative stress. In the conditions of a big dairy cattle breeding farm (Voronezh Province), specialized in Red-and-White breed, the functioning peculiarities of the peroxidation system lipid-oxidant defense in cows at the normal course of gestation and at gestosis, at the normal course of postpartum period and at puerperal endometritis, uterus subinvolution and ovarian dysfunction were studied. The state of lipid peroxidation processes and antioxidant system were evaluated by determining total lipid content, cholesterol, triglycerides, malonic dialdehyde (MDA), nitrogen oxides (NO • ), E and C vitamins concentrations, glutathione peroxidase (GPO), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase, superoxide dismustase (SOD) activity in blood. It is demonstrated that the high activity of lipid peroxidation reactions and the system of nitrogen oxide at decrease of antioxidant defense non-enzymic link capacity is the basis of gestosis and acute postnatal complications. Thus, àn increase of MDA concentration by 42.3-43.0 %, NO • by 31.9-38.0 % was observed in cows with gestosis. At mild gestosis the glutathione peroxidase activity, catalase activity and vitamin C concentration increased by 11.0 %, 14.3 %, 38.0 %, and 24.1 %, respectively, while vitamin Å concentration decreased by 11.7 % due to more consumption for neutralization of the toxic peroxidation products. At more sever pathology, the glutathione peroxidase activity and catalase activity in blood increased by 26.0 % and 17.3 %, respectively, when compared to the healthy animals, while vitamins E and C concentrations decreased by 33.3 % (ð < 0,01) and 17.2 %, respectively. As free radical oxidation intensified, an anaerobic degradation of carbohydrates was activated to supply the tissues of developing fetus with energy under oxygen deficit occurred because of violation of the blood circulation. Postpartum inflammation in the genital organs in cows developed against the background of increase of MDA concentration by 76.0 %, GPO and GR activity by 65.8 % and 14.6 %, respectively, SOD by 46.0 %, catalase by 45.7 %, 2.9 times increase of NO • concentration and reduction of vitamin E content by 35.5 %. Infertile animals with ovarian dysfunction were characterized by high activity of lipid peroxidation processes and by low level of nitrogen oxide generation. This is indicated by an increased concentration of MDA by 57.0 %, activity of GPO by 27.6 %, GR by 10.5 %, SOD by 31.9 %, catalase by 24.3 %, with a reduced content of NO • and vitamin E by 56.9 % and 31.6 %, respectively, in comparison with healthy animals. A decrease in NO • concentration in blood could result from a sharp depression of hormone synthesizing function in ovaries, and low NO • production could disturb functions of the gonads. The high level of peroxidation is...

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