Peripartum Beta Endorphin levels in Relation to Labor Disorders and Post-Calving Reproductive Performance of Buffaloes.

El-Malky, O. M.; Abou El-Ghait, H. A.A

doi:10.21608/jappmu.2016.48710

Peripartum Beta Endorphin levels in Relation to Labor Disorders and Post-Calving Reproductive Performance of Buffaloes.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of buffalo Research.Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

² Mehalat Mousa station Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

10.21608/jappmu.2016.48710

Abstract

The aim of this study was determine the relationship between plasma β-endorphin profiles in the peripheral blood circulation and cortisol concentrations during peri-partum (pre- and post-partum periods) of buffalo cows severed from dystocia, retained placenta or delayed heat (oestrus) and long calving interval in the previous parity. Blood samples were collected from 20 buffalo cow in late pregnancy period (2 months before expected parturition date) until 100 days after calving. Twenty buffalo cows were divided into four groups according to parturition disorders, 5 animals in each. Animals showed normal calving (group A), suffering from dystocia (group B), with retained placenta (group C) and having long calving interval in the previous parity (group D). At parturition, results showed that buffalo cows suffering from calving disorders groups B, C and D had higher β-endorphin concentrations than that in group A. Whereas, β-endorphin concentrations were (110.15±3.21, 124.08±2.84, 104.09±2.45 and 96.53±0.94) respectively, at one month before parturition. Average β-endorphin concentration in buffalo cows with retained placenta, dystocia and delayed heat during peri-parturient period was higher (P<0.01) than in group A. Peak of β-endorphin at the time of parturition was noticed in all buffalo groups especially in group C. Both of β-endorphin and cortisol secretion showed the concomitant trend during peri-parturient period, showing gradually decrease after parturition till two months of delivery. Finally, buffalo cows which had calving disorders showed a clear impact on blood plasma β-endorphin concentration at late pregnancy, time of delivery and post-partum periods.

Keywords