title: Short communication: Circulating serotonin (5-HT) concentrations on day 1 of lactation as a potential predictor of transition-related disorders.
abstract: The monoamine serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) has been described as a homeostatic regulator of lactation. Recently, our laboratory determined that 5-HT is involved in the regulation of calcium and glucose homeostasis during the transition period in rodents. More specifically, we demonstrate that 5-HT is responsible for calcium mobilization from bone and upregulation of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes and mammary gland glucose transporters. Our objective was to investigate the correlation between circulating 5-HT concentrations and circulating ionized calcium, parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), and glucose concentrations on d 1 postpartum. We also investigated the correlation between circulating 5-HT and milk fever and ketosis incidence and severity in multiparous Holstein cows at the onset of lactation. Blood samples were collected from 42 multiparous cows on d 1 of lactation and analyzed for 5-HT, calcium, glucose, and PTHrP. Milk fever (determined subjectively for each cow on d 1 postpartum) and ketosis incidence and severity (scale 1 to 4, determined objectively for each cow during the first 10 d postpartum) were recorded for all animals. Serum 5-HT was positively correlated with serum calcium and with plasma PTHrP (r>0.37). Serum 5-HT was negatively correlated with milk fever incidence and with ketosis severity (most severe ketosis incidence recorded during the first 10 d postpartum; r<-0.33). Serum calcium and plasma glucose concentrations were negatively correlated with milk fever and ketosis severity, respectively (r<-0.39). These data indicate that 5-HT potentially plays a role in the regulation of calcium and glucose homeostasis during the transition period in cattle, which we previously demonstrated in rodents. Increased circulating concentrations of 5-HT might decrease milk fever at the onset of lactation and ketosis severity during the first 10 d postpartum in dairy cows. Understanding this physiological axis could help describe the underlying mechanisms associated with these periparturient metabolic disorders in dairy cows.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laporta
authors.forename: S A E
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Hernandez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D007662:Ketosis / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary; D007774:Lactation / Q000097:blood*; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein / Q000097:blood; D010319:Parturient Paresis / Q000097:blood; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D012701:Serotonin; D002118:Calcium
keywords: calcium; ketosis; milk fever; serotonin