Association of bovine uterine involution disturbances with serum neuropeptide concentrations

Abstract Background: Puerperal diseases influence fertility and should be diagnosed as soon as possible. The present study aimed to evaluate the applicability of serum concentrations of substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and IL‑1β in the early diagnosis of uterine involution disturbances. Blood serum samples of 86 dairy cows from 6 different farms were harvested within the first 20 days after calving from cows with uterine involution disturbances and healthy controls, respectively. Serum concentrations for SP, VIP and IL‑1β were determined using commercially available ELISA test kits. Statistical analyses included timely changes in blood serum levels and group comparisons of healthy cows and cows with uterine disease. Results: SP-concentrations increased significantly within 20 days after calving (P < 0.04) with no significant difference between the groups. No significant differences could be shown for VIP and logIL-1β. Conclusion: None of the examined serum parameters seems suitable as indicator of uterine involution disorders. Due to the timely changes in serum concentrations of SP after calving, a correlation to diseases might not be precluded though. Further research is needed with regard to the establishment of normative values concerning this parameter.