title: Early post-partum hematological changes in Holstein dairy cows with retained placenta.
abstract: Retained placenta (RP) occurs frequently in dairy cattle but little is known about the pathogenic or prognostic role of the hematological changes in this disease. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the hematological changes associated with RP in the immediate post-partum period and to assess whether these changes are associated with an acute phase reaction. Data concerning hematology, acute phase proteins, markers of inflammation and serum biochemistry performed on cows at 3±1 days in milk (DIM) from two intensive farms were extracted from the database of the ProZoo project, a research project aimed to investigate the relationship between genomic traits and bovine health and production. After application of restrictive inclusion criteria, data from 45 cows, 22 with RP and 23 controls, were statistically compared. RBC count, d-ROMs concentration, and AST activity were significantly higher in the RP group than controls. Conversely, neutrophils, thiol groups, and serum zinc concentration were significantly lower in the RP group than controls. In conclusion, although retained placenta has to be considered as a syndrome with multifactorial causes, neutropenia may be a co-factor involved in its pathogenesis. Further studies are needed to clarify whether neutropenia acts as a contributor in the pathogenesis of RP or if it is a very early consequence of the syndrome, preceding any other inflammatory changes in blood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy; Central Laboratory, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierangelo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Probo
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; Parco Tecnologico Padano, via Einstein, Loc. Cascina Codazza, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morandi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zootechnics, Faculty of Agriculture, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Erminio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trevisi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zootechnics, Faculty of Agriculture, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Annarita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zootechnics, Faculty of Agriculture, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minuti
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Venturini
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy; Central Laboratory, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy. Electronic address: saverio.paltrinieri@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paltrinieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy; Central Laboratory, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giordano
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D001823:Body Composition; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005260:Female; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000097:blood; D007249:Inflammation; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018457:Placenta, Retained / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Acute phase proteins; Dairy cows; Neutropenia; Peripheral neutrophils; Retained fetal membranes