Acute phase proteins are blood components synthesized by hepatocytes, basic function of which is to defend the organism as part of the immune response to inflammation, trauma, infection, stress, neoplasia. They trigger a complex systemic reaction in order to restore homeostasis recovery of the organism. Proinflammatory cytokines increase their activity in response to the effect of pathogenic microorganisms which are intense stimulants to the production of acute phase proteins. It is known that postpartum uterine contamination is common among many cows. Normally, infections and inflammations are eliminated by the immune response of the uterus. However, about 40% of dairy cattle develop clinical metritis. The aim of this study was to determine changes of C-reactive protein and haptoglobin concentration in healthy cows and with subclinical endometritis. The study was conductedat NNVTS "Komarnivsʹkyy" Horodok district, Lviv region. Two groups of cows of Ukrainian blackand-white dairy breed, aged from 4 to 7 years old, were investigated. The control group included twenty (n = 20) clinically healthy cows. Experimental group included twenty (n = 20) cows with subclinical endometritis. It was found that in the blood serum of healthy cows C-reactive protein concentration was 11,25±1,07 µg/ml. Significant increase (P˂0,001) of C-reactive protein concentration in cows with subclinical endometritis (72,57±18,11 µg/ml) was observed. In the blood serum of healthy cows haptoglobin concentration was 22,5±5,50 mg/l. Significant increase (P ˂0,001) of C-reactive protein concentration in cows with subclinical endometritis (72,57±18,11 µg/ml) was observed. In the blood serum of healthy cows haptoglobin concentration was 22,5±5,50 mg/l. Significant increase (P ˂0,001) of C-reactive protein concentration in cows with subclinical endometritis (72,57±18,11 µg/ml) was observed. In the blood serum of healthy cows haptoglobin concentration was 22,5±5,50 mg/l. Significant increase (P <0,001) of haptoglobin concentration in cows with subclinical endometritis (771,5±122,66 mg/l) was observed. The presented study shows that in cows with subclinical endometritis, increase of C-reactive protein and haptoglobin was observed. Determination of concentration of these proteins can be an informative indicator of subclinical inflammatory process in the uterus of cows. In future research it is important to determine change of IL and TNF-a expression depending on the condition of the uterus.
Key words: acute phase proteins, C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, subclinical endometritis, dairy cattle, uterus.
Subclinical Endometritis in Dairy Cattle
