Hormonal and metabolic profiles related to placental retention with emphasis on oxidative stress and serotonin receptors in pluriparous buffaloes

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the hormonal and metabolic factors associated with placental retention in buffaloes with respect to the roles of oxidative stress biomarkers and serotonin receptors. Blood samples were collected at weeks 3, 2 and 1 pre‐partum and at calving from 37 buffaloes; thirty normally dropped their placentae (Non‐RFM group) and 7 dropped their placentae after 12 hr post‐calving (RFM group). Serum progesterone (P4), oestradiol, cortisol, non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta‐hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), antioxidant/oxidant biomarkers and mineral concentrations were assessed. Histopathology and histochemistry were implemented to detect collagen in foetal placental tissues. Immunohistochemistry for serotonin receptors in placental tissues was performed. Significant elevations in P4, cortisol, NEFA, BHBA and oxidative biomarkers concentrations were observed in the RFM group. However, oestradiol, antioxidants and mineral concentrations were significantly lower in RFM buffaloes than Non‐RFM group. Histopathological examination revealed degenerative changes and necrosis in retained placental tissue compared with that in normal placental tissues. Serotonin receptors were significantly expressed with collagen condensation in retained placental tissues. Furthermore, inferior reproductive performance was pronounced in the retained group. In conclusion, retained foetal membranes in buffaloes were associated with hormonal imbalance, metabolic perturbation, oxidative stress, serotonin receptor upregulation and markedly reduced fertility indices.

The Impact of Oxidative Stress on Reproductive Disorders in Cows – A Review

“…The deficiency of microelements and the negative energy balance indicate synergism regarding the oxidative stress during the prepartum phase. In addition, the increased metabolic requirements of late pregnancy, calving, and lactation may exacerbate the generation and the accumulation of ROS (Elsayed et al, 2020).…”

Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Placenta of Crossbred Cattle- Deciphering the Association of Mitochondrial Alterations with Retained Placenta

“…Furthermore, mitochondria are probably crucial for placental implantation, growth, and development (Polei et al 2020;de Lima et al 2023). Numerous studies have delved into unraveling the intricacies of placental physiology, exploring pathologies, understanding the mechanisms of fetal membrane separation, and identifying various factors contributing to oxidative stress in the context of RP (Dimri et al 2010;Kumari et al 2015;Santos et al 2017;Elsayed et al 2020). Even that, none of the studies explored mitochondrial contribution in the context of separation and expulsion of a fetal membrane in crossbred cattle.…”