Acute-phase response in dairy cows with acute postpartum metritis

The diagnostic value of 2 plasma acute-phase proteins, haptoglobin and al-a cid glycoprotein, and plasma N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase enzyme activit y were studied in 29 newly calved dairy cows. Nineteen had developed acute metritis with putrid vaginal discharge within 2 wk after calving; 10 were c linically healthy controls. Plasma haptoglobin concentration remained low i n most cows with acute postpartum metritis. Only the 3 most severely affect ed cows exhibited a strong haptoglobin response. These were later culled du e to poor condition and reduced fertility. This suggests that in acute uter ine infection a highly increased haptoglobin concentration indicates poor p rognosis for repeat conception. Plasma alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein concentra tion increased in acute postpartum metritis, the response pattern being les s prominent than that for haptoglobin. The alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein conce ntrations did not correlate with severity of disease, and, consequently, th e capacity of at-acid glycoprotein in differentiating genital infections wa s relatively poor. The highest alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein concentrations we re detected in cows with retained placenta and/or dystocia. Plasma N-acetyl -beta-D-glucosaminidase activity levels did not differ between the cows wit h acute postpartum metritis and healthy control cows. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc.