Pre-parturition profile of steroids and prostaglandin in cows with or without foetal membrane retention

Retained foetal membranes in cattle is one of the most common complications associated to the reduction in milk yield and impaired fertility in dairy cattle. In order to determine some endocrine mechanisms controlling parturi tion and delivery of foetal membranes, plasma concentrations of steroids an d prostanoids were determined in 20 healthy Holstein cows. Samples were tak en within the interval of 5 days pre-parturition to 12 h after calving. Pro gesterone (P-4) levels were similar in cows with (PR) and without (NPR) pla cental retention. While the estradiol-17 beta (E-2) peak at parturition was lower in PR than in NPR cows, cortisol levels were greater in PR cows 12 a nd 24 h pre-parturition. The Prostaglandin F-2 alpha metabolite (PGFM) leve ls were higher at parturition in NPR compared with the PR group, but 12h la ter, these levels in the PR group increased so that concentrations were gre ater as compared with NPR cows. The Prostaglandin E-2 metabolite (PGEM), 24 , 48 and 72 h pre-parturition, were higher in PR cows. However, the PGFM:PG EM ratio was greater in cows up NPR at all time when included, indicating t he importance of higher levels of Prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF(2 alpha)) th an Prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) for normal placental delivery. In conclusion, placental retention was related to both estrogen and PGF(2 alpha) deficien cy, which may be a consequence of metabolic stress leading to PGE2 and mate rnal cortisol synthesis before parturition. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V A ll rights reserved.