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Clinical endometritis (CE) and subclinical endometritis (SE) are two of the main uterine diseases in dairy cows during the puerperium period that can directly affect milk production and fertility in dairy herds. The first objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the CE and SE on the subsequent reproductive performance and milk production of dairy cows in Brazilian herds, and the second objective was to evaluate the reproductive performance and milk production of dairy cows according to the positive or negative isolation of bacteria in the uterine environment. A total of 279 lactating Holstein dairy cows (28 to 33 d in milk) from six commercial farms were studied. These were classified into three groups: healthy cows (without CE and SE, n = 161), cows with CE (vaginal discharge score = 3 and ≥ 18% PMNL, n = 83) and cows with SE (absence of signs of CE and 18% PMNL, n = 35). According to the presence of bacteria isolated from the uterine environment, the animals were classified as healthy cows (n = 161), CE cows with positive (n = 68) and negative (n = 15) bacterial isolation; and SE cows with positive (n = 21) and negative (n = 14) bacterial isolation. Cows with CE (20.5%) and SE (31.4%) had a lower (P 0.05) conception rate at first AI than healthy cows (47.8%). Furthermore, both cows with CE (3.1) and SE (2.8) needed more service to become pregnant than healthy cows (1.7) and more days to be pregnant (50.3 d in CE and 43.1 d in SE than healthy group; P 0.001). Cows with CE (23.8 kg) and SE (23.7 kg) produced less milk than healthy cows on the day of sampling (28.2 kg); however, milk production during 305 DIM of cows with CE and SE was not impaired when compared to healthy cows. The logistic regression showed that parity, body condition score, 305 days milk production, last calving (eutocia or dystocia), twin birth and stillbirth were not associated with the incidence of CE and SE. In addition, we highlight that cows with CE and SE, but with negative bacteria isolation, did not have reproductive performance and milk production impaired during the postpartum period. These results support that the use of antibiotics would not be beneficial in these cows, contributing to the strategic and rational use of antibiotic therapy on dairy farms.

The aim of this study was to identify the impact of Trueperella pyogenes in cows with clinical endometritis (CE) on reproductive performance and milk production in affected cows. In total, 230 lactating Holstein dairy cows from six commercial dairy herds were sampled once between 28 and 33 days post-partum. Cows included in the present study did not receive antibiotic or anti-inflammatory treatments prior to the experimental period. Clinical endometritis (CE) was characterized as cow with vaginal mucus score = 3 (>50% of purulent vaginal discharge) and >18% polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocyte (PMNL). The body condition scores (BCS) and milk production were evaluated at the time of enrolment. The identification of isolated bacteria was carried out through the analysis of MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry). According to uterine health, three groups of dairy cows were formed: healthy control cows without T. pyogenes (n = 147), CE cows with T. pyogenes (n = 22) and CE cows without T. pyogenes (n = 61). CE cows with T. pyogenes had lower BCS, milk production and conception at first AI (p

Biodegradation tests of chitosan (CH), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) polymers were carried out using the standard OECD 301D guidelines. The results showed that the CH samples biodegraded faster than those of PBAT. Photographs registered exhibited the complete or partial disintegration of the samples, and a more opaque color was observed with the increase of biodegradation. FTIR analysis showed some changes in the intensity of the typical bands of the HDPE sample. The presence of P. nitroreducens bacteria was revealed on the PBAT sample surface by SEM studies. Additionally, a clear increase in elastic modulus (EM) and tensile strength (TS) values were observed in PBAT and HDPE samples on day 3, which decreased significantly at the end of the study. Furthermore, an increase in the crystallinity of the HDPE sample was observed on day 28.

Clinical endometritis (CE) and subclinical endometritis (SE) are one of the main uterine diseases in dairy cows during the puerperium period, which can directly affect milk production and fertility in dairy herds. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the CE and SE on the subsequent reproductive performance and milk production of dairy cows in Brazilian herds. A total of 279 lactating Holstein dairy cows (28 to 33 d in milk) from six commercial farms were evaluated. The cows were classified into three groups: healthy cows (without CE and SE, n = 161), cows with CE (vaginal discharge score = 3 and ≥ 18% PMNL, n = 83) and cows with SE (absence of signs of CE and > 18% PMNL, n = 35). Cows with CE and SE had a lower (P P

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biochemical profile and reproductive performance in postpartum dairy cows with clinical metritis. The research was carried out using performed on 213 pluriparous lactating cows from two dairy herds in southeast Brazil. Dairy cows were assigned into a group of healthy cows (n = 147) and cows with metritis (n = 66). Blood samples to assess serum albumin, cholesterol, fibrinogen, calcium, gamma-glutammyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations were performed on day 8 ± 2 postpartum. Metritic cows had lower (p < .05) serum albumin, cholesterol and calcium concentration, and higher (p < .05) GGT and AST activity, and BHBA and fibrinogen concentrations when compared to the healthy group. The calving-to-conception interval and services per pregnancy were higher in metritic cows (p < .01) than in healthy cows and the conception rate at first service was lower in metric group (p < .01). Variable importance in projection plots demonstrated that cholesterol was the main discriminator between metritic and healthy cows. Our results indicated alterations in the biochemical profile and impaired reproduction performance in metritic cows.

Uterine diseases reduce the profitability of dairy farms in addition to impairing the fertility of dairy cows. However, there is a lack of detailed information on the reproductive and productive performance of dairy cows affected by uterine diseases in tropical conditions, in addition to identification of factors and microorganisms associated with the occurrence of this disease. The importance of studies related to possible natural and unconventional treatments for uterine in replacement of antibiotic therapy is also highlighted. Thus, this thesis was structured in three studies: 1) Identify the main microorganisms present in the uterine environment of dairy cows with uterine diseases during the puerperium; 2) Identify the main factors associated with the occurrence of uterine diseases in dairy cows and assess the impact their impact on reproductive performance and milk production. 3) Evaluate the in vitro antibacterial action by disk diffusion assay of seven essential oils (rosemary, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, oregano and thyme) against the reference strains of Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Fusobacterium necrophorum (ATCC 25286) and Trueperella pyogenes (ATCC 19411). In study 1, the objective was to assess the main microorganisms related to cases of clinical endometritis (CE) and subclinical endometritis (SE) from uterine samples of dairy cows in Brazilian herds. Selective and differential media were used for isolation of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and subsequent identification by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). A total of 279 lactating Holstein cows with 28 to 33 days in milk from six commercial farms were evaluated. Initially, cows were classified in three groups: cytologic healthy cows (n = 161), cows with CE (n = 83), and cows with SE (n = 35). A total of 127 bacterial species of 48 genera were identified. Healthy animals presented 97 species, followed by the CE group with 53 identified species, while SE cows had only 21 bacterial species. There was a significantly higher isolation rate of Trueperella pyogenes in CE cows (26.5%) compared to healthy and SE cows. Some anaerobic species were exclusively isolated from the CE group. Interestingly, 18.1% of samples from CE cows and 40% of SE cows were negative to bacterial isolation. In study 2, the objective was to investigate the impacts of clinical endometritis and subclinical endometritis on the reproductive performance and milk production of cows reared in tropical conditions. A total of 279 lactating Holstein dairy cows (28 to 33 d in milk) from six commercial farms were studied. The animals were classified into three groups: healthy cows (without CE and SE, n = 161), cows with CE (vaginal discharge score = 3 and ≥ 18% PMNL, n = 83) and cows with SE (absence of signs of CE and > 18% PMNL, n = 35). Cows with CE had a lower conception rate at first AI (P < 0.05), and both cows with CE and SE required more services and days to be pregnant (P < 0.05), in addition to producing less milk than healthy cows (P < 0.05). No factor evaluated in this study was associated with the occurrence of CE and SE (P < 0.05). In conclusion, a negative impact of CE and SE on the reproductive performance and milk production of dairy cows was evidenced. In study 3, the antibacterial activity of seven essential oils against the reference strains of Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Trueperella pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. The disk diffusion test revealed that the essential oils of cinnamon, clove, oregano and thyme showed presented a greater zone of inhibition against all bacteria evaluated. These findings indicate that essential oils have potential to be used as an alternative in the treatment of bovine endometritis. Overall, the findings of this thesis reveal the main microorganisms present in the uterine environment of cows with and without endometritis raised in tropical conditions. It was also found that clinical and subclinical endometritis impaired reproductive performance and milk production. Finally, essential oils have a strong antibacterial activity against the main microorganisms associated with uterine diseases in dairy cows. Doenças uterinas causam redução da lucratividade das granjas leiteiras além de prejudicar a fertilidade das vacas. No entanto, faltam informações detalhadas sobre a eficiência reprodutiva e produtiva de vacas leiteiras afetadas por doenças uterinas em condições tropicais, além da identificação dos fatores e dos microrganismos associados com a ocorrência dessa enfermidade. Destaca-se, também, a importância de estudos relacionados aos possíveis tratamentos naturais e não convencionais para doenças uterinas em substituição à antibioticoterapia. Dessa forma, essa tese foi estruturada em três estudos: 1) Identificar os principais microrganismos presentes no ambiente uterino de vacas leiteiras com doenças uterinas durante o puerpério; 2) Identificar os principais fatores associados à ocorrência de doenças uterinas e avaliar o seu impacto no desempenho reprodutivo e na produção de leite. 3) Avaliar a ação antibacteriana in vitro pelo teste de difusão em disco de sete óleos essenciais (alecrim, canela, cravo, eucalipto, limão, orégano e tomilho) contra as cepas padrão de Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Fusobacterium necrophorum (ATCC 25286) e Trueperella pyogenes (ATCC 19411). No estudo 1, o objetivo foi avaliar os principais microrganismos relacionados aos casos de endometrite clínica (EC) e endometrite subclínica (ES) em amostras uterinas de vacas leiteiras em rebanhos brasileiros. Foram utilizados meios seletivos e diferenciais para o isolamento de bactérias aeróbicas e anaeróbicas e posterior identificação por espectrometria de massa (MALDI-TOF MS). Um total de 279 vacas Holandesas em lactação com 28 a 33 dias em leite de seis fazendas comerciais foi avaliado. Inicialmente, as vacas foram classificadas em três grupos: vacas saudáveis (n = 161), vacas com EC (n = 83) e vacas com ES (n = 35). Um total de 127 espécies bacterianas de 48 gêneros foi identificado. Animais saudáveis apresentaram 97 espécies, seguidos do grupo EC com 53 espécies, enquanto vacas ES apresentaram apenas 21 espécies bacterianas. Houve uma taxa de isolamento significativamente maior de Trueperella pyogenes em vacas com EC (26,5%) em comparação com vacas saudáveis e ES. Algumas espécies anaeróbias foram isoladas exclusivamente do grupo EC. Curiosamente, 18,1% das amostras de vacas EC e 40% das vacas ES foram negativas ao isolamento bacteriano. No estudo 2, o objetivo foi investigar os impactos da endometrite clínica e da endometrite subclínica no desempenho reprodutivo e na produção de leite de vacas criadas em condições tropicais. Um total de 279 vacas Holandesas em lactação (28 a 33 dias em leite) de seis fazendas comerciais foram estudadas. Os animais foram classificados em três grupos: vacas saudáveis (sem EC e ES, n = 161), vacas com EC (escore de corrimento vaginal = 3 e ≥ 18% PMNL, n = 83) e vacas com ES (ausência de sinais de EC e > 18% PMNL, n = 35). Vacas com EC apresentaram menor taxa de concepção à primeira IA (P < 0,05), e ambas as vacas com EC e ES necessitaram maior número de serviços e de dias para emprenhar (P < 0,05), além de produzirem menos leite do que vacas saudáveis (P < 0,05). Nenhum fator avaliado neste estudo foi associado à ocorrência de EC e ES (P > 0,05). Em conclusão, foi evidenciado impacto negativo de EC e ES no desempenho reprodutivo e na produção de leite de vacas leiteiras. No estudo 3, foi investigada a atividade antibacteriana de sete óleos essenciais contra as cepas de referência de Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Trueperella pyogenes e Staphylococcus aureus. O ensaio de difusão em disco revelou que os óleos essenciais de canela, cravo, orégano e tomilho apresentaram maior zona de inibição contra todas as bactérias avaliadas. Esses achados indicam que os óleos essenciais apresentam potencial para serem utilizados como alternativa no tratamento da endometrite bovina. No geral, os achados da presente tese revelaram quais são os principais microrganismos presentes no ambiente uterino de vacas leiterias com e sem endometrite criadas em condições tropicais. Verificou-se, ainda, que a endometrite clínica e subclínica prejudicaram a performance reprodutiva e a produção de leite. Por fim, os óleos essenciais apresentam forte atividade antibacteriana diante dos principais microrganismos associados com doenças uterinas em vacas leiteiras.

Uterine diseases are a common gynecological issue that affects dairy cows during the postpartum period. The treatment of uterine diseases is mainly managed through antimicrobials; however, the problem of antibiotic residues, increased antimicrobial resistance of pathogens, and the abuse of antibiotics causes serious problems in the dairy chain around the world, which can affect the efficiency of conventional medicines. In these regards, alternative treatment strategies are needed to reduce the use of antibiotics in dairy production. This review primarily provides an overview that focuses on various alternative sources and methodologies, including plants extracts and essential oils, for the control of bovine uterine diseases, and it presents the advantages and limitations related to the use of these herbal therapies.

Purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) is a prevalent uterine disease of dairy cows during the puerperium that affects the milk production and affects the profitability of farms. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the biochemical profile, the body condition score, the milk production of cows with PVD and the effects PVD on reproductive performance. A total of 338 Holstein dairy cows aged from 3 to 5 years, from three commercial dairy farms, from Brazil, were used. Blood samples were collected within 25 ± 3 days post-partum from Holstein dairy cows without PVD (control cows, n = 242) and cows with PVD (n = 96), based on scoring of the vaginal discharge. The body condition score and milk production were recorded on the day of sampling. The biochemical profile encompassed albumin, urea, gamma-glutamyl transferase, calcium, fibrinogen and cholesterol concentrations. The number of services per pregnancy was lower (p < 0.01), and the number of days until first insemination and the median time to pregnancy were higher in cows with PVD (p < 0.01) when compared with control cows. Milk production and body condition score were lower (p < 0.01) in cows with PVD than in control group. Cows with PVD had lower (p < 0.05) serum albumin, urea, calcium and cholesterol concentrations, and higher serum gamma-glutamyl transferase activity and fibrinogen concentration than cows without PVD. Our results show that cows with PVD have changes in the biochemical profile and negative effects on production and reproduction performance.

The objective of this study was to determine the biochemical profile of dairy cows with induced lactation. For comparison, another group of normally calved cows was used as control. Lactation was induced in multiparous Holstein cows (n=10) with two norgestomet implants (3mg each implant) on day 1. The testing continued with intramuscular norgestomet (3mg/animal) on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15. On days 1, 9, 16 to 18 and then every 14 days, bSTr (500mg/animal) was added. On day 16, the intravaginal implant was removed and intramuscular prostaglandin F2α (0.530mg/animal) and intramuscular estradiol benzoate (5mg/animal) were added. On days 16 to 18 dexamethasone (10mg/animal) was added, and from days 18 to 20 intramuscular metoclopramide (100mg/animal) was added. Milking began on day 19 of the induction. Blood was collected for a biochemical profile after 21 days in milk. It was found that urea and triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in the induced cows (P

The biodegradability of natural gelatin (GEL) and sodium caseinate (SCas) and synthetic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biopolymers films, were studied in an aquatic system following OECD 301D guidelines. Biodegradation was determined measuring the dissolved oxygen (DO) over 28 days with closed respirometers. Elementary compositions and changes in physicochemical parameters were analyzed. The results demonstrated that carbon (46 to 60%) and oxygen (31 to 44%) were the most important elements in the composition of all films. Moreover, GEL and SCas films were completely biodegraded (100%) on day 1, showing a DO increased (GEL up to 42.5 mg O2/l and SCas up to 34.6 mg O2/l) as a consequence of the biodegradation time. This is in stark contrast to PVA and PLA films, who presented an inverse behavior (PLA up to 1.1 mg O2/l and PVA up to 0.5 mg O2/l), which in fact cannot be classified as “readily biodegradable” according to the results of in this study because they required more time to biodegrade than the rules defined for this aquatic system. PLA film showed a more opaque and whitish color, a clear increase in EM values (day 7 = 85.7 ± 2.0 MPa), Tg temperature (day 28 = 56.8 ± 0.0 °C) and crystallinity (Day 28 = 49.3 ± 0.6%) over the effects of biodegradation times. FTIR analysis showed changes in the intensity of the typical bands of the PLA samples, and the presence of Pseudomonas, was later observed on their surface by SEM studies.

Metritis in dairy cows is classified as a puerperal disease that affects all layers of the uterine epithelium and occurs during the first 21 days after parturition. The objectives of this study were to identify potential predictive biomarkers of metritis, to monitor the biochemical profile of pre-metritic dairy cows, and to evaluate the reproductive performance of dairy cows with metritis. Fifty-five cows without metritis and fifteen cows that showed clinical signs of metritis were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected at -21, -14 and - 7 days before calving and at parturition and assayed for urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total cholesterol, fibrinogen, total calcium, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations. Serum fibrinogen on 21, 14 and 7 days prepartum and at parturition was the strongest discriminator between metritic and control cows. Moreover, metritic cows had lower (P 0.05) concentrations of urea, creatinine, cholesterol and calcium and higher (P 0.05) serum AST, GGT activities, and serum fibrinogen, BHB and NEFA concentrations when compared to control cows. The number of days to first ovulation, insemination, services per pregnancy and days to pregnancy were greater (P 0.05) for metritic cows than the control group, and the follicle size was smaller (P 0.05) for metritic cows than the control group. Our results indicate alterations in the biochemical profile of dairy cows with metritis and the negative impact on the reproductive performance of metritic cows raised in tropical conditions. In addition, this study showed that the serum fibrinogen could be used as screening biomarkers to indicate cows that might have metritis during the postpartum period.

The aims of this study were to characterize the biochemical profile, the reproductive performance and to identify potential predictive biomarkers of disease state of dairy cows with hyperketonemia, lipomobilization and hypocalcemia raised in tropical conditions in southeastern Brazil. Dairy cows (n = 50) were divided into a group of healthy cows (n = 14), cows with lipomobilization (n = 14), cows with hypocalcemia (n = 11), and a group of cows with hyperketonemia (n = 11). Evaluation of body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW) and blood samples was performed on 21, 14, 7, 4 and 2 days before calving, parturition, 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 days post-partum and milk production was recorded on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition. Blood samples were assayed for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutammyltransferase (GGT), albumin, total protein, globulin, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, triglyceride, urea and creatinine concentrations. The biochemical profile, BCS, BW, milk production and reproductive performance differed (p < .05) among the groups. Our findings indicate changes in the biochemical profile of dairy cows with metabolic diseases and impaired production and fertility of dairy cows in this group. Variable importance in projection plots demonstrated that cholesterol, urea, total protein, albumin and fibrinogen in the serum were the strongest discriminators between cows with hypocalcemia and healthy cows; and AST, cholesterol, urea and triglycerides for cows with hyperketonemia and healthy cows; and cholesterol, urea, triglycerides, total protein and fibrinogen for lipomobilization and healthy cows, which might be useful as predictive biomarkers of the disease state.

Background: Peripartum is a challenging phase for the health of cows. Objectives: This study analysed the haematological profile of Holstein cows during peripartum. Method: Blood samples were collected on days 18, 12, 8, 5 and 2 before calving, at parturition, and on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 postpartum. Analyses of red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and RBC distribution width were performed; body condition score (BCS) and milk yield were evaluated. Results: Red blood cell (the highest value was 6.10 × 10 12 /L at parturition and the lowest recorded value was 5.03 × 10 12 /L 21 days after parturition), haemoglobin and haematocrit (the highest values were 10.48 g/dL and 33.47% at parturition, respectively and the lowest values were 8.28 g/dL and 26.13% on day 30 after parturition, respectively); BCS (the highest and the lowest values were 3.50 points and 2.73 points on days 18 before parturition and 45 after parturition, respectively) and milk production (the lowest and the highest values were 21.48 L and 27.02 L on days 7 and 45 after parturition, respectively) were significantly different ( p < 0.05) during the peripartum period. Of the total cows ( n = 48), 41.7% had RBC, haemoglobin and haematocrit below the reference intervals during at least one collection point during the postpartum period. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that dairy cows included in this investigation suffered alterations in select haematological variables during the postpartum period.

Introduction: Endometritis is a condition marked by inflammation of the endometrium that affects dairy cows from 21 days after parturition, causing damage to herd fertility and economic losses on farms. The use of active compounds obtained from plant sources has gained importance as disease treatment agents in farm animals due to the high resistance rates currently observed against traditional antibiotics commonly used. The study was carried out to examine the chemical composition and to investigate the antibacterial activity of rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, eucalyptus, lemon, oregano and thyme essential oils against the reference strain of Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Fusobacterium necrophorum (ATCC 25286), Trueperella pyogenes (ATCC 19411) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), considered as typical bacteria causing endometritis. Methodology: The chemical composition of the seven essential oils were analyzed by GC-MS and their antibacterial activity was evaluated by the disc diffusion method. Results: Thirty-six components were identified in total using GC-MS analyzes. The main compounds were cinnamaldehyde (86.5% for cinnamon essential oil), eugenol (85.7% for clove essential oil), 1,8-cineol (80% for eucalyptus and 47.8% rosemary essential oils), limonene (65.5% for lemon essential oil), carvacrol (72.1% for oregano essential oil) and thymol (48.8% for thyme essential oil). The disc diffusion assay revealed that cinnamon, clove, oregano, and thyme essential oils showed the best results compared to the other three essential oils, showing the largest zone of inhibition against all bacteria evaluated. Conclusions: These findings indicated that essential oils are a potential agent to be used as an alternative for bovine endometritis treatment.

The main aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of anaemia in Holstein dairy cows during the puerperium, and the haematological and biochemical profile of dairy cows with and without anaemia. The study was conducted in seven dairy herds in São Paulo State, Brazil. The evaluated sample comprised a total of 336 Holstein cows. Blood samples were collected at postpartum day 25 ± 3. Haematological analysis included white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet count, haematocrit value, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. The biochemical profile encompassed cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, albumin, globulin, fibrinogen, calcium and total bilirubin concentrations. The prevalence of anaemia was 16.3% in all herds, and this was not affected by clinical diseases, milk production, parity and body score condition. Moreover, anaemic cows had lower red blood cell count, haematocrit, haemoglobin, serum cholesterol and calcium concentrations and higher white blood cell and platelet counts, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, red cell distribution width, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, fibrinogen and globulin concentrations when compared with non-anaemic cows. The results indicate changes in energy balance and an inflammatory process in anaemic cows.

Background: Lameness in dairy cows is classified as a gait change caused by multifactorial process. The phase of the peripartum causes intense physiological changes for the adaptation of late gestation and onset of lactation. The aim of this study was to characterize the changes in the biochemical profile and productive performance in dairy cows with lameness during postpartum period.Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted at the University of São Paulo farm, in Pirassununga, São Paulo State, Brazil, from January to March 2017. A total, of 48 multiparous (2 to 3 lactations and 3-4 years old) dairy cows, that had the milk production of 9,200 kg/ dairy cow in a period of 305 days in the previous lactation, were included in the study. All cows were managed under the same conditions and nutritional regimen. Evaluation of body condition score was performed by a single person on -18, -12, -8, -5, and -2 days before parturition, at parturition, and on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition. Milk production was recorded on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition and saved in the software program. Blood samples were performed on -18, -12, -8, -5, and -2 days before parturition, at parturition, and on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition. Blood samples were assayed for albumin, calcium, cholesterol, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, urea, creatinine, gamma-glutamil-transferase and total protein concentrations. Dairy cows were divided into a lame group (11) and normal group (37) based on locomotion score from parturition to seven days postpartum. Lame cows was classified if their score was > 2, and normal cows was classified if their score was ≤ 2 and free of any disease. Dairy cows that suffer by any health disorder other than lameness were excluded from this study. Cow diagnosed with lameness outside the diagnostic period were excluded from this study. The averages of the milk production, body condition score and biochemical profile were compared with the Tukey’s test. Lame cows showed lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of albumin (on days -18 -12, -8, -5, -2 relative to parturition, at parturition, and on days 7, 14, 21, 45 and 60 after parturition) calcium (on days -18, -12, -8, -5 and -2 before parturition, and on days 7, 14, 21, 45 and 60 after parturition), cholesterol (on days -12, -8, -5 before parturition and on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition) than normal cows. Cow with lameness showed higher (P < 0.05) concentration of triglyceride (on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition), non-esterified fatty acids (on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition) and β-hydroxybutyrate (on days -12, -5 and -2 before parturition, at parturition, and on days 1, 14, 21 and 30 after parturition) than normal group. Cows with lameness presented higher (P < 0.05) values of body condition score on days -18, -12 and -8 before parturition, and lower (P < 0.05) values on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition than normal cows. Milk production was lower (P < 0.05) for cows with lameness (on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition) than normal cows.Discussion: The overall prevalence of lameness in the evaluated period was 22.92% (11/48). Among lame cows, 07 presented laminitis, 02 had interdigital hyperplasia and 02 had sole ulcer. Our findings prove that the biochemical profile and productivity of dairy cows during the peripartum and postpartum period were affected by lameness at the early lactation.

The neonatal period is a challenging phase for calves, and during this phase constant adaptations are required. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the invasive hemodynamics with the Swan-Ganz catheter in neonate calves to understand adaptive changes during the first 30 days of life. A prospective and observational study was conducted with 10 Holstein calves. Assessments of the right atrial pressure (RAP), right ventricular pressure (RVP), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), pulmonary capillary pressure (PW), cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and blood gas levels were performed. The analyses of PAP, PVR, PW, HR, sO2, and arterial blood gases differed (p &lt, 0.05) between the evaluated periods. Our results indicated transient pulmonary artery hypertension during the process of extrauterine adaptation during the first 30 days of life. This hypertension must be considered as physiological and consequent to the neonatal adaptation process.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of metabolic diseases on uterine involution and reproductive performance during the postpartum period. Multiparous Holstein dairy cows (n = 50) were divided into four groups based on whether they were healthy (n = 14), or had lipomobilization (n = 14), hypocalcemia (n = 11), and hyperketonemia (n = 11). Transrectal palpation and transrectal B-Mode sonography were carried out on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition. Cows with metabolic disease had a greater (p &lt, 0.05) uterine size as assessed transrectally compared with cows without metabolic disease. Sonographic measurements revealed a greater (p &lt, 0.05) horn diameter and endometrial thickness in cows of the metabolic disease groups than in the healthy cows. Metabolic disease affected (p &lt, 0.05) the milk yield, percentage of service per pregnancy, days to first ovulation and days open. In conclusion, metabolic disease affected the uterine involution and fertility during the postpartum period.

The objectives of this study were to characterize the hematological and productive pattern during the peripartum in cows with and without anemia, as well as to evaluate the erythrogram in animals that presented metritis puerperal acute (MPA), lameness, acetonemia, increased non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and cows with different categorization of body condition score (BCS). In study 1, 50 Holstein cows (29 multiparous and 21 primiparous) were used. Blood samples and physical examination were performed at 13 different times: 18 ± 3, 12 ± 2, 5 ± 1, and 2 ± 1 before calving, and 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 days postpartum. Erythrogram evaluations were performed, and red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volum (PCV), and absolute hematimetric values of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin, RDW, serum concentrations of iron, betahydroxybutyrate (BHBA), AGNE and total bilirubin (TBIL) were determined for the biochemical analyzes. Anemia was classified according to hemoglobin values

The citrus pulp can be used as a substitute in ruminant feed reducing costs and maintaining the nutritional quality of food. However, this compound should be used carefully so as not to cause harm to the animals. The present report aims to describe the occurrence of dental erosion, actinomycosis and polioencephalomalacia in sheep raised and kept with a wet low pectin citrus pulp based diet, composing 50% of roughage. Actinomycosis was diagnosed in five animals through clinical and radiographic examinations and microbiological culture, and, after treatment, three animals were cured. Polioencephalomalacia was confirmed in ten animals by clinical diagnostics, in nine out of ten animals by therapeutic diagnosis, and in one animal by post-mortem anatomopathological examination. According to the observed, we recommend caution when large amounts of citrus pulp are used as bulky food. RESUMO: A polpa cítrica está entre os produtos que podem ser utilizados como substitutos na alimentação de ruminantes, diminuindo os gastos e mantendo a qualidade nutricional do alimento fornecido aos animais, porém, esses alimentos devem ser utilizados de forma que não tragam malefícios. Assim, o presente relato visa apresentar a ocorrência de erosão dentária, actinomicose e polioencefalomalácia em ovinos criados e mantidos recebendo alimentação à base de polpa cítrica úmida despectinada na concentração de 50% do volumoso. A actinomicose foi diagnosticada em cinco animais por meio de exame clínico, radiográfico e cultivo microbiológico, e após tratamento três animais foram curados. Já a polioencefalomalácia foi confirmada em dez animais pelos sintomas manifestados, eficiência da terapia instituída em nove animais e exame anatomopatológico de um animal que veio a óbito. De acordo com o observado, deve-se ter cuidado ao utilizar grande quantidade de polpa cítrica úmida como volumoso.