Changes in biomarkers serum amyloid A and haptoglobin following treatment of endometritis in dairy cows

Serum Amyloid A as a Promising Biomarker in Domestic Animals’ Reproduction: Current Knowledge and Future Perspective

Simple Summary

Acute phase proteins (APPs) are useful markers which can be evaluated in animals to assess health status and characterize inflammation, infection, and trauma. Among APPs, serum amyloid A (SAA) has been widely investigated in pets and food-producing species as a possible biomarker of inflammatory and infective conditions, especially in the field of animal reproduction. The aims of this paper are to review the literature available on the use of SAA for the diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory reproductive disease in animals, critically appraising the usefulness of such marker and summarizing the current state of knowledge.

Abstract

The investigation of acute phase proteins in veterinary medicine has opened the doors towards the identification and use of new markers for a timely assessment of health status in both companion and food-producing animals. The aim of this paper is to review the literature available on the use of serum amyloid A (SAA), an acute phase protein, for the diagnosis and monitoring of reproductive disorders in animals. This review critically appraises the usefulness of such marker in clinical practice and summarizes the current state of knowledge. Recent advances in the diagnosis and monitoring of reproductive diseases are presented, highlighting where SAA evaluation may enhance early diagnostic tools for dogs, cats, cattle, and equines.

Serum biochemical profile in buffalo endometritis and impact of treatment with PGF2α and intrauterine gentamicin infusion on postpartum reproductive performance

Improving reproductive performance of repeat breeder buffalo cows due to clinical endometritis is crucial in overcoming infertility problems in buffalo cows. The aim of the present study was to use PGF2α and/or gentamicin 10% for treatment of endometritis and to determine biochemical parameters in serum that could be used to diagnose endometritis in buffalo cows. A total of 64 anestrous buffalo cows were assigned into one of five treatment groups: group one (n = 9) buffalo cows were physiological normal cows and served as a control group; group 2 buffalo cows had endometritis, but were not treated (n = 10); group 3 buffalo cows had endometritis and were treated with intrauterine delivery of 100 ml of a 10% gentamicin sulfate solution in three times within 1 week (n = 15); group 4 buffalo cows received two I.M. doses of PGF2α (2 ml Estrumate IM) at the time of corpus luteum dominance (n = 15) (treatment 4 does not make sense as you stated that the cows were in anestrus) on the ovary; group 5 buffalo cows received two IM doses of PGF2α at an 11 day interval and the 10% gentamicin solution as described for group 3. Serum samples were collected from control, pre-treated, and post-treated buffalo cows with endometritis to evaluate the diagnostic biochemical parameters. The days to first estrus (DFE), number of services per conception (S/C), days open (DO), and pregnancy rate (Preg) were the measures for determining reproductive performance for the buffalo cows. The buffalo cows treated by gentamicin and PGF2 exhibited their first estrus earlier than cows in the other four groups of cows. The number of days open for control cows was greater (P < 0.05) than for the other groups and the control cows, as were the number of services per conception (P < 0.05) and pregnancy rate (30%: P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify biochemical parameters in serum to predict endometritis. Creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and concentrations of total bilirubin and immunoglobulins in serum were greater (P < 0.05), while serum albumin values were lower (P < 0.05) in serum of buffalo cows with endometritis. From the ROC analyses, CK was the most predictable biomarker for endometritis with an area under the curve of 0.889, sensitivity of 80%, and specificity of 100% (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the use of gentamicin and PGF2 for treatment of endometritis improves the reproductive performance of buffalo cows, and concentrations of CK serve as an aid for diagnosing endometritis.Graphical abstract.