Pregnancy-specific protein B (bPSPB) and progesterone monitoring of post-partum dairy cows with placental retention

The relationship between placental retention, progesterone and pregnancy-sp ecific protein B (bPSPB) was determined in 60 calving Holstein cows. The co ws were divided into two groups with placental retention (WPR, n = 16) and no placental retention (NPR, n = 44). Every 4 days, until 60 days post-part um, blood samples were taken and the uteri were checked using ultrasonograp hy. The puerperal characteristics of NPR and WPR were as follows: mean days of abnormal vaginal discharge: 20.2 +/- 5 versus 35.6 +/- 7 (P < 0.01); me an intervals to uterine involution: 21.4 +/- 3.7 versus 27.6 +/- 7.6 days ( P < 0.01); rate of endometritis: 25 versus 100 % (P < 0.01). The mean numbe rs of oestrus cycles per cow were 1.75 +/- 0.5 versus 0.85 +/- 0.9 (P < 0.0 5) and the mean durations of the first oestrus cycle were 18 +/- 3.5 versus 16 +/- 2.1 days (P > 0.05). The mean intervals to first ovulation were 21. 5 +/- 8.4 versus 35 +/- 19 days (P < 0.01). bPSPB blood concentrations were higher in the WPR group at calving with 955 +/- 170 versus 750 +/- 205 ng/ ml (P < 0.01) and also during the first 32 days post-partum. with 173.68 <p lus/minus> 47.3 versus 131.0 +/- 29.2 ng/ml (P < 0.01). The mean bPSPB half -life was similar in the two groups: 6.9 +/- 2.5 versus 6.5 +/- 2.1 days (P > 0.05). In conclusion, it was found that placental retention was associat ed with a higher rate of endometritis, a lower number of cycles, longer int erval to first postpartum ovulation and higher concentration of bPSPB at ca lving and during the post-partum period. The positive relationship between bPSPB concentrations and calf birth weight and their association with post- partum pathological events may be useful in monitoring animals presenting h igh concentrations at calving.