Evaluation of vonWillebrand Factor During Pregnancy, Lactation and Oestrous Cycle in Bitches Affected and Unaffected by vonWillebrand Disease

Abstract

Plasmatic concentrations of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) increase during pregnancy in humans and dogs; however the mechanism of such increase is still not well defined. The aims of this study were: (i) to evaluate changes in vWF concentration during pregnancy and during the subsequent oestrous cycle in bitches affected and unaffected by von Willebrand Disease (vWD); (ii) to correlate the vWF levels and cortisol levels in both groups. Seven vWD affected (GI) and nine unaffected (GII) bitches were used. The animals were assessed during pregnancy, parturition, lactation and non-gestational oestrous cycle in 11 moments (Pregnancy 1, Pregnancy 2, Parturition, Lactation 1, Lactation 2, Lactation 3, Anestrus, Proestrus, Oestrus, Diestrus 1, and Diestrus 2). The following tests were performed; measurement of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), albumin and cortisol. In both groups, vWF concentration remained stable during the non-gestational oestrous cycle, but increased during pregnancy, with the highest value observed at parturition. Increases of 70% and 124% in vWF were seen in GI and GII, respectively, compared to anestrus. No correlation was found between vWF and cortisol. Values of vWF:Ag changed during pregnancy, with a peak at parturition, both in vWD affected and unaffected animals. Values of vWF were not altered in the different phases of the oestrous cycle following pregnancy in both groups. Evaluation of vWF during pregnancy can cause false negative results for vWD, but assessment can be performed at any point in the oestrous cycle of non-pregnant bitches.

Blood calcium, glucose and haematology profiles of parturient bitches diagnosed with uterine inertia or obstructive dystocia

“…microhaematocrit tube, blood gas or haematology analyser). Thrombocytosis as well as changes in blood coagulation factors in preparation for delivery have been shown in normal pregnant and parturient bitches (Doxey, ; Gentry & Liptrap, ; Mattoso, Takahira, Beier, Araujo, & Corrente, ), and our finding of more than half of the bitches having high platelet counts is similar to that report. High platelet counts, which exceeded the upper limit of the reference range by up to 43%, were detected during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy also by another group (Kimberely et al., ).…”

Haemostaseological Changes of VWF and FVIII during Pregnancy and the Oestrus Cycle in a Porcine Model of Von Willebrand Disease

“…Consistently lower mean values were observed during the cycle corresponding to the pre-implantation period. Mattoso et al (2013) reported identical observations in pregnant dogs with VWD, which also aligns with findings in humans [38][39][40]. The higher mean value of 134% for VWF:GPIbM in the WT pigs BI appears to be an outlier without relevance.…”

“…Pregnancy is associated with changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis in healthy women, reflecting the physiological and necessary adaptation of endothelial cells [4,5]. Even in pregnant women as well as female dogs with VWD T1, some procoagulant changes have been detected in VWF and FVIII [6,7]. However, as no corresponding studies have been conducted in pigs, we studied haemostaseological parameters during pregnancy and the oestrus cycle in our porcine model of VWD T1.…”

Haematology profile of dogs with primary uterine inertia

“…The platelet count was in descending order in FCD (383.17 ± 71.35 x 10 3 /µL), CPUI (314.11 ± 49.01 x10 3 /µL) and PPUI (278.2 ± 37.43 x 10 3 /µL). Thrombocytosis has been reported by many researchers in periparturient animals (Kimberely et al, 2006;Mattoso et al, 2013;Kimura and Kotani, 2018). Frehner et al (2018) reported an average platelet count of 460 ± 86 (range-292-568) (x10 3 /μl), which was higher but was within the normal reference range.…”