Peripartum acute-phase protein serum amyloid-A concentration in plasma or cows and fetuses

S. Peter M. Alsemgeest From the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, PO Box 80.158, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Search for other papers by S. Peter M. Alsemgeest in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 MS
,
Marcel A. M. Taverne From the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, PO Box 80.158, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Search for other papers by Marcel A. M. Taverne in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM, PhD
,
Roel Boosman From the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, PO Box 80.158, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Search for other papers by Roel Boosman in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM, PhD
,
Bert C. van der Weyden From the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, PO Box 80.158, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Search for other papers by Bert C. van der Weyden in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM, PhD
, and
Erik Gruys From the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, PO Box 80.158, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Search for other papers by Erik Gruys in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM, PhD
Free access

SUMMARY

Concentration of the acute-phase protein serum amyloid-A (saa) was measured by means of an indirect ELISA method, in plasma of 3 pregnant cows and in plasma taken by cannula from another 4 pregnant cows and, by separate cannula, from their fetuses. Blood samples were taken daily from approximately 72 hours before until 72 hours after parturition. After parturition, saa concentration increased significantly (P < 0.05) in maternal plasma. In fetal plasma, only a nonsignificant increase was found at time of delivery. The concentration of maternal saa started to increase within the first 24 hours after delivery, reaching a peak value between 24 and 48 hours after delivery.

In the aforementioned plasma samples from the 4 pregnant cows and their fetuses, the concentration of maternally derived cortisol increased nonsignificantly after parturition. The concentration of fetally derived cortisol was significantly (P< 0.05) increased at parturition (t = 0), compared with the initial fetal cortisol concentration at 120 hours before delivery.

Peripartum concentration of maternal saa increased and maternal cortisol remained low, whereas fetal saa concentration remained low and fetal cortisol concentration increased. These findings indicate possible suppressive action of fetal cortisol on fetal saa production. However, it might be argued that the main cause of the difference in saa concentration is the difference in tissue damage between cows and fetuses at parturition.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 7226 7162 46
PDF Downloads 92 66 2
Advertisement