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Postpartum adrenocortical function in dairy cows with dystocia submitted to cesarean section
THERIOGENOLOGY
POSTPARTUM ADRENOCORTICAL DYSTOCIA SUBMITTED
T. Klinik
Nakao
FUNCTION IN TO CESAREAN
and
E.
DAIRY COWS SECTION
Crunert
fur Geburtshilfe und Cynlkologie des Tierlrztliche Hochschule Hannover 3008 Hannover 1 Federal Republic of Germany
Received
for
publication: Accepted:
WITH
Rindes
September 9, 2988 February 24, 1989
ABSTRACT The effects of the stress of dystocia on the adrenocortical function post partum in cows (n = 6) requiring a cesarean section were assessed by an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. Nine cows that calved normally were used as controls. The plasma glucocorticoid before and 60 min after an intramuscular injection of 25 IU ACTH, levels, were 4.4 _+ 0.5 (mean _+ SD) and 21.5 _+ 2.4 ng/ml 1 d post partum, I.92 0.3 and 18.4 _+ 2.9 ng/ml 4 d post partum and 2.7 _+ 1.1 and 14.6 _+ 3.3 respectively. Corresponding values of glucocorng/ml 8 d post partum, ticoids in cows with normal calving were 4.5 _+ 3.6 and 18.1 _+ 5.2 ng/ml 1 d post partum, 1.7 + 1.3 and 13.2 _+ 5.5 ng/ml 4 d post partum and 1.9 _+ 1.7 and 14.6 _+ 3.3 ng/ml 8 d post partum. There were no statistically significant differences of the values between cows with dystocia requiring a cesarean section and cows with normal calving. The results indicate that dystocia requiring a cesarean section like normal calving does not lead to significant depression of the adrenocortical function post parturn. Key
words
: dystocia,
cesarean
section,
stress,
adrenal
cortex
INTRODUCTION Dystocia is a serious reproductive disorder in cows that contributes to an increased risk of retained placenta, metritis and cystic ovaries, which then reduce reproductive performance (1) and milk yield (2). Stress caused by dystocia has generally been regarded as an important factor in the pathophysiology of puerperium in cows. A change in the adrenocortical function is one indicator of the effects of stress (3). A practical test of this function is the ACTH stimulation test which has been applied both in humans (4,5) and in domestic animals (6-8).
gated
In this study, to ascertain
the postpartum adrenocortical whether the stress of dystocia
function was investithat requirs a cesarean
This study was supported by a research fellowship from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to T. Nakao. The authors thank Mrs. E. Berger for assistance in the glucocorticoid assay.
AUGUST
1989 VOL. 32 NO. 2
205
THERIOGENOLOGY
section
leads
to a depression
of the
MATERIALS
adrenocortical
AND
function
in cows.
METHODS
Six German black pied cows with dystocia were referred to the CIinic for Bovine Obstetrics and Cynecology at the Hanover School of Veterinary Medicine for cesarean section calvings; nine cows of the same breed with normal calving were used for the controls in this experiment. Of the six cows with dystocia, five were brougth to the clinic after a while one cow was admitted to the clinic 2 d prior failed forced delivery, to parturition. These animals were 2 to 5 yr old (two cows were primiThe nine cows with normal calving parous and four were multiparous). (2 to 6 yr old, five primiparous and four multiparous) were hospitalized 2 to 14d prior to parturition. After parturition, all cows were kept at the clinic for at least 8 d. The ACTH stimulation test was first conducted 8 to 24 h post parturn and repeated 4 and 8 d post partum. Twenty-five IU of porcine ACTHa were iniected intramuscularly. About 10 ml of blood were collected via the V. -epiqastrica caudalis &perficials into a heparinized test tube 15 min before and immediately prior to the ACTH injection (0 min) as well as 1, 3 and 6 h after the injection. ACTH was given between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Blood samples were centrifuged at 3500 g for 20 min at 4 OC immediately after the collection. The plasma was stored at - 20 OC until the analysis of glucocorticoid concentrations were completed by a competitive protein binding assay as described by Hartig (9). The statistical
differences significance.
of
mean
values
were
tested
by
Student’s
t-test
for
RESULTS A significant increase (P < 0.01) of plasma glucocorticoid levels was observed 1 h after ACTH administration compared with the values before the treatment in cows with dystocia that required a cesarean section and (Figure 1). Neiin cows with normal calving 1, 4 and 8 d post partum ther basal nor ACTH-stimulated plasma glucocorticoid levels differed significantly between the two groups of cows. Three hours after stimulation, a sharp corticoid levels was observed compared with ment, and 6 h after ACTH was administered, al levels (Figure 1).
a ACTH prolongatum Switzerland.
206
@ I njektionslbsung
decrease of the plasma glucothe levels 1 h after treatthe values returned to bas--
, Chassut
E Cie
AUGUST
AC,
Koniz,
1989 VOL.
Bern,
32 NO. 2
THERIOGENOLOGY
0-0 l
---*
Normal
calving
Cesarean
(n=9)
set tion
(rk 6)
T
0 after
1 ACTH
(Days
Figure
1.
:eatment?
post
partum)
Plasma glucocorticoid concentrations 15 min before and 0, 1, 3 and 6 h after an intramuscular injection of 25 IU of ACTH in cows with dystocia submitted to cesarean section and cows with normal calving. Vertical bars indicate SD of the mean value. DISCUSSION
Dystocia in cows is associated with complication in calvings [lo-12). During problematic calvings, 48% higher mean plasma glucocorticoid values have been reported (10). Significantfy lower blood eosinophile counts and higher blood glucose levels have been observed during and shortly following cesarean section procedures in cows with dystocia (11). This was supported by the findings of significantly higher plasma glucocorticoid levels in cows with dystocia during, and 3 h after a cesarean section (12). In our study, however, no significant differences in plasma glucocorticoid concentrations after ACTH treatment were observed 1, 4 and 8 d post partum between cows with dystocia requiring a cesarean secThese findings and earlier observation and cows with normal calvings. tion of Berchtold et al. (13) that cows with dystocia showed a decrease in blood eosinophiles in response to ACTH treatment 1 to 2 d after a cesarean section indicate that dystocia, like normal calving, does not lead to significant depression of adrenocortical function post partum. Therefore,
AUGUST
we qestion
1989 VOL. 32 NO. 2
the adverse
effects
of stress
in cows with
207
THERIOGENOLOGY
dystocia requiring production.
a cesarean
section
on
For a better understanding of the dystocia, the postpartum adrenocortical only after a cesarean section procedure and fetotomy .
subsequent
fertility
and
milk
effects of stress in cows with function should be studied not but also after forced extraction
REFERENCES 1.
Stevenson, parturient
2.
Djemali, M., Freeman, A. E. and Berger, P. J . Reporting of dystocia scores and effects of dystocia on production, days open, and days dry from dairy herd improvement data. J. Dairy Sci. ?:21272131 (1987).
3.
Moberg, J. Am.
4.
Hjortrup, A., Kehlet, H., Lindholm, J. and Stentoft, P. Value of the 30 minute adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) test in demonstrating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical insufficiency after acute ACTH deprivation. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 57:668-670 (1983). -
5.
Membreno, Cobb, E. drome. J.
6.
Alam, M.C.S., Dobson, H. and Fitzpatrick, sponsesto different doses of ACTH in cows. 245 (1986).
7.
Smith, M.C. and Feldman, trations and plasma cortisol methasone sodium phosphate 1719-1724 (1987).
8.
Hennessy, D.P., Stelmasiak, T., Johnston, N-E., Jackson, P.N. and Outch, K.H. Consistent capacity for adrenocortical response to ACTH administration in pigs. Am. J. Vet. Res. %:1276-1283 (1988).
9.
Untersuchungen zum Verlauf der GlukokortikoidkonzenHartig, U. tration post partum beim Rind unter Berticksichtigung von StreRexposition und Nachgeburtsabgang. Dissertation, Tier$irztliche Hochschude Hannover ( 1986).
10.
Bostedt, H. and Berchtold, M. VerZnderung der Glucose-Konzentration und der tahl der eosinophilen Leukozyten im Blut von Rindern intra und post partum. Berl. Munch. Tierlrztl. Wschr. 81: 243-245 (1968).
209
J.S. cow.
and Call, E.P. Reproductive disorders J. Dairy Sci. -71:2572-2583 (1988).
C.P. Problems Vet. Med. Assoc.
in defining stress and (1987). -191:1207-1211
distress
in the
in animals.
L., Irony, I., Dere, W., Klein, R., Bigrieri, E.G. Adrenocortical function in acquired immunodeficiency Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. E:482-487 [ 1987). R.J. Br.
peri-
and syn-
Endorcirne reVet. J. 142:239-
E.C. Plasma endogenous ACTH concenresponses to synthetic ACTH and dexain healthy cats. Am. J. Vet. Res. 48:
AUGUST
1989 VOL. 32 NO. 2
THERIOGENOLOGY 11.
Hudson, S., Mullford, M., Whittlestone, W.C. and Payne, E. Bovine plasma corticoids during parturition, J. Dairy Sci. -59:74,4746 (1975).
12.
Heuwieser, W., Hartig, U., Offeney, F. and Grunert, E. Zur Bedeutung von Glukokortikoiden als Strenparameter beim Rind im peripartalen Zeitraum. J. Vet. Med. A E:178-187 (1987).
13.
Berchtold, M., Uhl, H. and Bostedt, H. Untersuchungen iiber die Nebennierenrinden-Funktion bei Rindern nach geburtshilflichen Laparotomien. Bet-l. Munch. Tierlretl. Wschr. 83:212-214 (1970).
AUGUST
1999 VOL. 32 NO. 2
209
POSTPARTUM ADRENOCORTICAL DYSTOCIA SUBMITTED
T. Klinik
Nakao
FUNCTION IN TO CESAREAN
and
E.
DAIRY COWS SECTION
Crunert
fur Geburtshilfe und Cynlkologie des Tierlrztliche Hochschule Hannover 3008 Hannover 1 Federal Republic of Germany
Received
for
publication: Accepted:
WITH
Rindes
September 9, 2988 February 24, 1989
ABSTRACT The effects of the stress of dystocia on the adrenocortical function post partum in cows (n = 6) requiring a cesarean section were assessed by an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. Nine cows that calved normally were used as controls. The plasma glucocorticoid before and 60 min after an intramuscular injection of 25 IU ACTH, levels, were 4.4 _+ 0.5 (mean _+ SD) and 21.5 _+ 2.4 ng/ml 1 d post partum, I.92 0.3 and 18.4 _+ 2.9 ng/ml 4 d post partum and 2.7 _+ 1.1 and 14.6 _+ 3.3 respectively. Corresponding values of glucocorng/ml 8 d post partum, ticoids in cows with normal calving were 4.5 _+ 3.6 and 18.1 _+ 5.2 ng/ml 1 d post partum, 1.7 + 1.3 and 13.2 _+ 5.5 ng/ml 4 d post partum and 1.9 _+ 1.7 and 14.6 _+ 3.3 ng/ml 8 d post partum. There were no statistically significant differences of the values between cows with dystocia requiring a cesarean section and cows with normal calving. The results indicate that dystocia requiring a cesarean section like normal calving does not lead to significant depression of the adrenocortical function post parturn. Key
words
: dystocia,
cesarean
section,
stress,
adrenal
cortex
INTRODUCTION Dystocia is a serious reproductive disorder in cows that contributes to an increased risk of retained placenta, metritis and cystic ovaries, which then reduce reproductive performance (1) and milk yield (2). Stress caused by dystocia has generally been regarded as an important factor in the pathophysiology of puerperium in cows. A change in the adrenocortical function is one indicator of the effects of stress (3). A practical test of this function is the ACTH stimulation test which has been applied both in humans (4,5) and in domestic animals (6-8).
gated
In this study, to ascertain
the postpartum adrenocortical whether the stress of dystocia
function was investithat requirs a cesarean
This study was supported by a research fellowship from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to T. Nakao. The authors thank Mrs. E. Berger for assistance in the glucocorticoid assay.
AUGUST
1989 VOL. 32 NO. 2
205
THERIOGENOLOGY
section
leads
to a depression
of the
MATERIALS
adrenocortical
AND
function
in cows.
METHODS
Six German black pied cows with dystocia were referred to the CIinic for Bovine Obstetrics and Cynecology at the Hanover School of Veterinary Medicine for cesarean section calvings; nine cows of the same breed with normal calving were used for the controls in this experiment. Of the six cows with dystocia, five were brougth to the clinic after a while one cow was admitted to the clinic 2 d prior failed forced delivery, to parturition. These animals were 2 to 5 yr old (two cows were primiThe nine cows with normal calving parous and four were multiparous). (2 to 6 yr old, five primiparous and four multiparous) were hospitalized 2 to 14d prior to parturition. After parturition, all cows were kept at the clinic for at least 8 d. The ACTH stimulation test was first conducted 8 to 24 h post parturn and repeated 4 and 8 d post partum. Twenty-five IU of porcine ACTHa were iniected intramuscularly. About 10 ml of blood were collected via the V. -epiqastrica caudalis &perficials into a heparinized test tube 15 min before and immediately prior to the ACTH injection (0 min) as well as 1, 3 and 6 h after the injection. ACTH was given between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Blood samples were centrifuged at 3500 g for 20 min at 4 OC immediately after the collection. The plasma was stored at - 20 OC until the analysis of glucocorticoid concentrations were completed by a competitive protein binding assay as described by Hartig (9). The statistical
differences significance.
of
mean
values
were
tested
by
Student’s
t-test
for
RESULTS A significant increase (P < 0.01) of plasma glucocorticoid levels was observed 1 h after ACTH administration compared with the values before the treatment in cows with dystocia that required a cesarean section and (Figure 1). Neiin cows with normal calving 1, 4 and 8 d post partum ther basal nor ACTH-stimulated plasma glucocorticoid levels differed significantly between the two groups of cows. Three hours after stimulation, a sharp corticoid levels was observed compared with ment, and 6 h after ACTH was administered, al levels (Figure 1).
a ACTH prolongatum Switzerland.
206
@ I njektionslbsung
decrease of the plasma glucothe levels 1 h after treatthe values returned to bas--
, Chassut
E Cie
AUGUST
AC,
Koniz,
1989 VOL.
Bern,
32 NO. 2
THERIOGENOLOGY
0-0 l
---*
Normal
calving
Cesarean
(n=9)
set tion
(rk 6)
T
0 after
1 ACTH
(Days
Figure
1.
:eatment?
post
partum)
Plasma glucocorticoid concentrations 15 min before and 0, 1, 3 and 6 h after an intramuscular injection of 25 IU of ACTH in cows with dystocia submitted to cesarean section and cows with normal calving. Vertical bars indicate SD of the mean value. DISCUSSION
Dystocia in cows is associated with complication in calvings [lo-12). During problematic calvings, 48% higher mean plasma glucocorticoid values have been reported (10). Significantfy lower blood eosinophile counts and higher blood glucose levels have been observed during and shortly following cesarean section procedures in cows with dystocia (11). This was supported by the findings of significantly higher plasma glucocorticoid levels in cows with dystocia during, and 3 h after a cesarean section (12). In our study, however, no significant differences in plasma glucocorticoid concentrations after ACTH treatment were observed 1, 4 and 8 d post partum between cows with dystocia requiring a cesarean secThese findings and earlier observation and cows with normal calvings. tion of Berchtold et al. (13) that cows with dystocia showed a decrease in blood eosinophiles in response to ACTH treatment 1 to 2 d after a cesarean section indicate that dystocia, like normal calving, does not lead to significant depression of adrenocortical function post partum. Therefore,
AUGUST
we qestion
1989 VOL. 32 NO. 2
the adverse
effects
of stress
in cows with
207
THERIOGENOLOGY
dystocia requiring production.
a cesarean
section
on
For a better understanding of the dystocia, the postpartum adrenocortical only after a cesarean section procedure and fetotomy .
subsequent
fertility
and
milk
effects of stress in cows with function should be studied not but also after forced extraction
REFERENCES 1.
Stevenson, parturient
2.
Djemali, M., Freeman, A. E. and Berger, P. J . Reporting of dystocia scores and effects of dystocia on production, days open, and days dry from dairy herd improvement data. J. Dairy Sci. ?:21272131 (1987).
3.
Moberg, J. Am.
4.
Hjortrup, A., Kehlet, H., Lindholm, J. and Stentoft, P. Value of the 30 minute adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) test in demonstrating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical insufficiency after acute ACTH deprivation. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 57:668-670 (1983). -
5.
Membreno, Cobb, E. drome. J.
6.
Alam, M.C.S., Dobson, H. and Fitzpatrick, sponsesto different doses of ACTH in cows. 245 (1986).
7.
Smith, M.C. and Feldman, trations and plasma cortisol methasone sodium phosphate 1719-1724 (1987).
8.
Hennessy, D.P., Stelmasiak, T., Johnston, N-E., Jackson, P.N. and Outch, K.H. Consistent capacity for adrenocortical response to ACTH administration in pigs. Am. J. Vet. Res. %:1276-1283 (1988).
9.
Untersuchungen zum Verlauf der GlukokortikoidkonzenHartig, U. tration post partum beim Rind unter Berticksichtigung von StreRexposition und Nachgeburtsabgang. Dissertation, Tier$irztliche Hochschude Hannover ( 1986).
10.
Bostedt, H. and Berchtold, M. VerZnderung der Glucose-Konzentration und der tahl der eosinophilen Leukozyten im Blut von Rindern intra und post partum. Berl. Munch. Tierlrztl. Wschr. 81: 243-245 (1968).
209
J.S. cow.
and Call, E.P. Reproductive disorders J. Dairy Sci. -71:2572-2583 (1988).
C.P. Problems Vet. Med. Assoc.
in defining stress and (1987). -191:1207-1211
distress
in the
in animals.
L., Irony, I., Dere, W., Klein, R., Bigrieri, E.G. Adrenocortical function in acquired immunodeficiency Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. E:482-487 [ 1987). R.J. Br.
peri-
and syn-
Endorcirne reVet. J. 142:239-
E.C. Plasma endogenous ACTH concenresponses to synthetic ACTH and dexain healthy cats. Am. J. Vet. Res. 48:
AUGUST
1989 VOL. 32 NO. 2
THERIOGENOLOGY 11.
Hudson, S., Mullford, M., Whittlestone, W.C. and Payne, E. Bovine plasma corticoids during parturition, J. Dairy Sci. -59:74,4746 (1975).
12.
Heuwieser, W., Hartig, U., Offeney, F. and Grunert, E. Zur Bedeutung von Glukokortikoiden als Strenparameter beim Rind im peripartalen Zeitraum. J. Vet. Med. A E:178-187 (1987).
13.
Berchtold, M., Uhl, H. and Bostedt, H. Untersuchungen iiber die Nebennierenrinden-Funktion bei Rindern nach geburtshilflichen Laparotomien. Bet-l. Munch. Tierlretl. Wschr. 83:212-214 (1970).
AUGUST
1999 VOL. 32 NO. 2
209