Effects of Dystocia on Postpartum Adrenocortical Function in Dairy Cows

Abstract

Postpartum adrenocortical responses to adrenocorticotropic hormone in cows after normal (n = 10) and difficult (n = 52) parturition were investigated. The post-partum adrenocortical function of cows was affected by type of parturition (spontaneous parturition, forced extraction of fetus, caesarean section calving with or without attempted forced extraction, and total fetotomy) and day after calving (d 1, 4, and 8; d 0 = day of parturition). Cows after normal calving did not show enhanced or depressed adrenocortical function postpartum. Adrenocortical function was enhanced, compared with cows calving normally, for cows with dystocia that had a caesarean section after forced extraction was attempted and in cows in which calves were already dead and total fetotomy was performed. Cows with dystocia assisted with forced extraction by one to two people and cows that had caesarean sections without forced extraction did not show higher plasma glucocorticoid concentrations before or after adrenocorticotropic hormone administration than did cows with normal calving. Results indicate that dystocia requiring caesarean section following unsuccessful extraction or total fetotomy enhanced postpartum adrenocortical function in cows.

Response of Plasma Cortisol and Progesterone after ACTH Challenge in Ovariectomized Lactating Dairy Cows

“…In the present study 25 IU of ACTH were used for the challenge tests according to the dose used by Nakao and Grunert [27]. The basal plasma cortisol concentrations were 3.8-4.4 ng/ml and the peak values after ACTH administration were 33.2-46.5 ng/ml in this experiment.…”

“…Basal plasma cortisol concentrations in cattle were reported to be about 5-10 ng/ml [26,27], which may increase 5-10 fold from the basal level after administration of 25-50 IU of ACTH [22,24]. In the present study 25 IU of ACTH were used for the challenge tests according to the dose used by Nakao and Grunert [27].…”

“…Whether or not dairy cows are possibly e x p o s e d t o e q u i v a l e n t s t r e s s i n g e n e r a l management conditions has yet to be investigated. Nakao and Grunert [27] reported that 25 IU ACTHchallenge test in cows after normal calving or d y s t o c i a s h o w e d p e a k p l a s m a c o r t i s o l concentrations of 18-23 ng/ml and 15-45 ng/ml. Palpation per rectum also caused an elevation of plasma cortisol up to 12-14 ng/ml [26].…”

Effects of main reproductive and health problems on the performance of dairy cows: a review

“…Immunodeficiency is probably enhanced in dystocial cows as a consequence of the increased duration of labour and the subsequent higher cortisol levels (Civelek et al, 2008). Nakao & Grunert (1990) studied the adrenocortical function of beef cows through adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge postpartum for different degrees of calving difficulty. They found higher reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis for cows having experienced severe dystocia.…”

Scientific report on the effects of farming systems on dairy cow welfare and disease

“…Dystocia requiring caesarean section or total foetotomy following unsuccessful extraction, causes enhanced postpartum adrenocortical function (Nakao and Grunert, 1990). Compared with cows with normal calving, cows with dystocia show higher plasma glucocorticoids during parturition (Heuwieser et al, 1987, Hudson et al, 1975.…”