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Metabolic stress and subsequent hepatic dysfunction in high-producing dairy cows are associated with inflammatory diseases and declining fertility. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein (LBP) is produced by hepatocytes and controls the immune response, suggesting that it is involved in the pathophysiology of inflammation-related attenuation of reproductive functions during metabolic stress. This study investigated the effect of LBP on the inflammatory status, oocyte quality, and steroidogenesis in the follicular microenvironment of dairy cows. Using bovine ovaries obtained from a slaughterhouse, follicular fluid and granulosa cells were collected from large follicles to evaluate the follicular status of metabolism, inflammation, and steroidogenesis. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were aspirated from small follicles and subjected to in vitro embryo production. The results showed that follicular fluid LBP concentrations were significantly higher in cows with fatty livers and hepatitis than in those with healthy livers. Follicular fluid LBP and LPS concentrations were negatively correlated, whereas LPS concentration showed a positive correlation with the concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyric acid in follicular fluid. The blastulation rate of oocytes after in vitro fertilization was impaired in cows in which coexisting large follicles had high NEFA levels. Follicular fluid NEFA concentration was negatively correlated with granulosa cell expression of the estradiol (E2) synthesis-related gene (CYP19A1). Follicular fluid LBP concentration was positively correlated with follicular fluid E2 concentration and granulosa cell CYP19A1 expression. In conclusion, follicular fluid LBP may be associated with favorable conditions in the follicular microenvironment, including low LPS levels and high E2 production by granulosa cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship between postpartum metritis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration in peripartum dairy cows. Blood was collected twice weekly from 2 weeks prepartum through 6 weeks postpartum. Whole blood chemiluminescence (WBCL) was measured using the luminol-enhanced zymosan-stimulated chemiluminescence assay. Cows were examined for uterine health disorders and classified into two groups, healthy ( n = 11) and metritis ( n = 5). Metritis had a significant effect on WBCL, with cows with metritis having a higher WBCL. Plasma LPS concentrations in cows with metritis were significantly higher than in healthy cows. To examine the effect of LPS on WBCL, blood was sampled in healthy peripartum cows (1 to 2 weeks prepartum, n = 8; 0 to 3 weeks postpartum, n = 11; and 4 to 8 weeks postpartum, n = 8) and incubated with LPS. At 1 endotoxin units/mL of LPS, similar to the plasma LPS concentration in cows with metritis, the WBCL increased in cows at 0 to 3 weeks postpartum. Results indicate that the increase in ROS generation and plasma LPS concentration are associated with metritis, and LPS may be responsible for enhanced ROS generation in early postpartum dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the effects of puerperal metritis on the immune response, changes in the differential peripheral blood leukocyte counts were analyzed during the peripartum period in cows with or without metritis. Multiparous Holstein cows were examined for uterine health disorders and classified into two groups: healthy ( n = 11) or metritis ( n = 5) cows. The lymphocyte and monocyte counts and the proportion of CD8+ lymphocytes were higher in cows with metritis compared to healthy cows. Moreover, the effects of puerperal metritis on the lymphocyte counts and CD4+/CD8+ ratio persisted weeks after the uterine inflammation had self-resolved. Taken together, the findings of the present study indicate the possible long-term alterations of systemic immune responses in cows with puerperal uterine inflammation. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urovagina and purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) are usually diagnosed using a speculum, Metricheck device, or gloved hand. In periestrous dairy cows, a comparative study of these vaginal examinations for diagnosing urovagina or PVD has not yet been conducted. This study aimed to identify an effective vaginal examination method for periestrous dairy cows to ensure successful artificial insemination. Data were collected from 227 Holstein-Friesian cows during 300 occurrences of spontaneous estrus. Urovagina was evaluated using the speculum and gloved-hand methods and classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Vaginal discharge was evaluated using speculum, Metricheck, and gloved-hand methods and classified as vaginal discharge score (VDS) 0-5, with 2-5 defined as PVD-positive. Sensitivity and specificity of the gloved-hand versus speculum method in diagnosing urovagina, speculum versus Metricheck method, and gloved-hand versus Metricheck method in diagnosing PVD positivity were equivalent. The incidence of urovagina tended to be higher with the gloved-hand than with the speculum method. The incidence of PVD positivity tended to be higher with the gloved-hand than with the speculum and Metricheck methods. To analyze the correlation between pregnancy outcomes and mucus characteristics diagnosed using each method, logistic regression analysis was conducted, and the final models were compared. In this model, urovagina was selected as the explanatory variable and was associated with poor pregnancy. The results indicate that the gloved-hand method would be useful for managing fertility by detecting urovagina and PVD in periestrous dairy cows.

A 5-day-old male crossbred beef calf presented with a well-coordinated bilateral hopping gait of the hind limbs. Postmortem CT showed a poorly defined oval-shaped region at the L3-L4 spinal segments, which had high signal intensity on T2 weighted postmortem MRI images. On pathological examination, we identified a large cystic cavity filled with a large amount of cerebrospinal fluid on the cut surface of the spinal region. Histopathological examination revealed that the spinal cord parenchyma was compressed by the cystic structure, and the cystic cavity was lined with a thin layer of discrete ependymal cells, indicating syringohydromyelia. This is the first reported case of a Holstein-Friesian × Japanese Black crossbred calf with solitary syringohydromyelia. Our findings suggest that myelodysplasia with cystic cavities can be suspected by CT, without the need for MRI.