Blood metabolite concentrations and postpartum resumption of ovarian cyclicity in Sanga cows

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of concentrations of certain blood nutrientsensitive metabolites and the resumption of postpartum ovarian cyclicity in 16 Sanga cows (mean BCS 5). Blood samples were taken from cows from weeks 1 to 13 (90 days) postpartum, processed and the plasma progesterone concentration measured to determine the resumption of postpartum ovarian cyclicity. The cows were classified as having resumed ovarian cyclicity when a plasma progesterone concentration of ≥1.0 ng/mL was recorded for two consecutive weekly samples. Based on the resumption of ovarian activity, cows were classified as early cycling, late cycling or non-cycling. The plasma glucose, cholesterol, total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations recorded were similar in the early cycling, late cycling and non-cycling cows. The mean blood glucose, cholesterol, total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations were 3.60 mmol/L, 2.47 mmol/L, 83.1 g/L, 29.9 g/L and 52.9 g/L, respectively. Plasma urea concentrations in late (6.57 ± 0.17 mmol/L) and non-cycling (6.59 ± 0.17 mmol/L) cows were higher than in the early cycling (5.99 ± 0.17 mmol/L) cows in weeks 1 to 13 postpartum. In addition, the plasma creatinine concentration in the early cycling cows was higher than in late cycling cows (101.8 ± 1.82 versus 94.0 ± 1.99 mmol/L). Cows with higher plasma concentrations of urea and lower creatinine concentrations were at risk of delayed resumption of postpartum ovarian cyclicity. Results suggest poor nutritional status, especially energy deficiency, as a major underlying factor suppressing the postpartum resumption of ovarian cyclicity.

Blood Metabolite Profiles in Cycling and Non‐cyclingFriesian–Sanga Cross‐bred Cows Grazing Natural Pasture During the Post‐partum Period

“…The overall mean blood cholesterol level of 2.34 mmol/l recorded was similar to the value 2.47 mmol/l obtained by Damptey et al. () for Sanga cows grazing extensively on pasture in the Accra plains of Ghana. Elevated albumin concentrations were associated with early resumption of ovarian activity.…”

“…Perhaps increased lipolysis in these two groups of cows due to their lower glucose concentrations resulted in increased plasma concentrations of low-density lipoproteins which is associated with increased rate of cholesterol synthesis, as reported in some studies (Ahmad et al 2004;Saleh et al 2011). The overall mean blood cholesterol level of 2.34 mmol/l recorded was similar to the value 2.47 mmol/l obtained by Damptey et al (2014) for Sanga cows grazing extensively on pasture in the Accra plains of Ghana. Elevated albumin concentrations were associated with early resumption of ovarian activity.…”

Haematological and biochemical parameters in the blood of an indigenous Croatian breed – Istrian cattle

“…Mapiye et al (2012) were observed that most of the indigenous Nguni cattle in South Africa had urea concentration below the reference range which was possibly due to lower intakes of crude proteins on the rangeland pasture. In our study, animals had higher concentration of urea in the blood than in previous study, because cattle were kept mostly in stables with temporary access to the good pastures, as in Sanga cattle from Ghana (Damptey et al 2014) and Thai cattle (Boonprong et al 2007).…”

Grazing system and floor type effects on blood biochemistry, growth and carcass characteristics of Nguni goats

“…The welfare of goats under these grazing systems and floor types needs attention and their nutritional status needs evaluation. Nutritional adequacy to the goats can be evaluated using blood metabolites, daily weight gains, body condition scores (BCS) [ 3 ] and carcass characteristics.…”

“…Blood biochemistry gives a reliable and consolidated measure of the sufficiency of dietary nutrients that can be used regardless of the physiological state of the animal [ 6 ]. Metabolites that reflect an animal’s protein status include: albumin, globulin, total protein (TP), creatinine, and urea [ 3 ]. Albumin concentration decreases when an animal is exposed to deficiencies in dietary protein or parasitism [ 7 , 8 ].…”