Association between phagocytic activity of monocytes and days to conception after parturition in dairy cows when considering the hormonal and metabolic milieu

PERALTA, M.B.; CAINELLI, S.; STASSI, A.F.; ANGELI, E.; RENNA, M.S.; SIGNORINI, M.L.; GAREIS, N.C.; DURANTE, L.; REY, F.; ORTEGA, H.H.; SALVETTI, N.R.; VELÁZQUEZ, M.M.L.

ANIMAL REPRODUCTION SCIENCE

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2021

0378-4320

The nutritional conditions and immune status of dairy cows determine the context for successful reproductive performance. This study aimed to analyze the phagocytic activity (PA) and phagocytic capacity (PC) of circulating monocytes beyond the transition period, to evaluate their possible association with delayed conception. The results showed that PA was not significantly associated with delayed conception. In contrast, cows with lower PC became pregnant earlier (98±9 days in milk, DIM) than those with higher PC (168±15 DIM). Based on these results, to analyze the association of the hormonal and metabolic context with the PA and PC, the animals were grouped taking into account the days to conception. In the group showing greater number of days to conception (>168 DIM), the PA was significantly associated with the concentrations of progesterone and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) at 90 DIM and glucose at 120 DIM, whereas PC was significantly associated with the concentrations of progesterone, cortisol and glucose at 90 DIM, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) at 120 DIM, 17β-estradiol at 150 DIM, and 17β-estradiol and BHB at 180 DIM. Overall, these results represent a new perspective related to the reproductive performance of dairy cows. The modifications of cellular functions here described may be useful to predict the onset of health complications in dairy cows and to guarantee their fertility in the following lactation.