Biomedical subjects

E Grunert

Publications and source records attributed to E Grunert.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Stimulation of release of beta-endorphin and oxytocin by prostaglandin F2 alpha in cattle at parturition.

Concentrations of beta-endorphin and oxytocin were measured in plasma of cows before, during and after parturition. The effect of the PGF2 alpha analogue cloprostenol on beta-endorphin and oxytocin release was investigated. During parturition, there were marked, parallel increases in beta-endorphin and oxytocin concentrations. Both hormones were released in an episodic manner in conjunction with uterine and abdominal contractions. It is therefore likely that factors stimulating oxytocin release also enhance beta-endorphin secretion. This suggests a role of labour or labour-associated hormones in stimulating peripheral beta-endorphin release. Cloprostenol caused an immediate, pronounced increase in plasma beta-endorphin and oxytocin concentrations.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Influence of labor and neonatal hypoxia on sympathoadrenal activation and methionine enkephalin release in calves.

Labor and delivery stimulate increased release of catecholamines and endogenous opioid peptides in neonates. Catecholamines promote adaptation to the extrauterine environment after birth. Enkephalins are stored together with catecholamines in the adrenal medulla and have an inhibitory effect on catecholamine release. We investigated the influence of labor and neonatal hypoxia on epinephrine, norepinephrine, and met-enkephalin release in calves. Blood samples were taken from the umbilical artery before rupture of the umbilical cord and from the jugular vein repeatedly after birth. Highest plasma norepinephrine concentration was found in calves delivered at the end of gestation (term calves) before umbilical cord rupture. In calves delivered before the physiologic end of gestation (preterm calves), norepinephrine values increased after cord rupture, but remained lower than values in term calves. Epinephrine release followed a similar pattern, but norepinephrine was clearly predominant. In term calves, met-enkephalin values were significantly higher than values in preterm calves. In calves of both groups, met-enkephalin release increased after cord rupture. During birth, the increase in catecholamine release seems to take place earlier than that of enkephalins. Norepinephrine-dominated stimulation during expulsion of the calf might be followed by increasing enkephalinergic inhibition after cord rupture and onset of respiration. Reduced release of catecholamines and enkephalins in preterm calves may be connected with delayed adaptation to the extrauterine environment.

Acidosis↗

PubMed1993

[An unusual combination of different organ and skeletal abnormalities in a black and white calf].

This is a case report of a rare malformation in a calf: duplicitas posterior incompleta in combination with multiple malformations (diphallia, polymelia, polydactylism, lack of the bony floor of the pelvis, asymmetrical pelvis, asymmetrical sacral and coccygeal vertebrae, unilateral hypoplasia of the kidneys). A detailed description of the clinical and pathological findings is presented.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMed1993

[The forecasting of the time of calving using a rapid progesterone test].

The rectal temperature and any alterations in eight different external signs of parturition were investigated twice daily in 22 "Deutsche Schwarzbunte" cows during the last 10 days of gestation. There was great variation in the externally detectable signs of parturition during the preparatory stages and short before labour. During the same time period, plasma progesterone and total oestrogens were determined using radioimmunology. From 60 hours to 12 hours prior to calving the progesterone levels fell rapidly to 0.77 +/- 0.22 ng/ml. Additionally, the plasma progesterone was determined semi-quantitatively in 31 cows using a rapid progesterone assay in order to predict the commencement of parturition within 36 hours. This allowed a more objective and reliable assessment of calving time than the evaluation of external signs of labour.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

[Ultrasound studies for the demarcation of the spatial extension of teat stenosis and other teat changes in cattle].

Under field conditions in 63 dairy cows a stenosis of the teat was diagnosed in 60 cases and other teat anomalies were found in 5 animals. The results of a traditional clinical examination were compared with results obtained by diagnostic with a portable, 5 MHz linear scanner. The pictures found in unaltered teats were compared with pathological findings. As far as the localisation and extension of teat stenoses or lacerations of the mucosa in the teat is concerned, the accuracy of the diagnosis was improved by ultrasonography. Diagnostic ultrasound can be recommended as an additional diagnostic tool in certain cases of a stenosis or other anomalies of the teat in dairy cows.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Blood levels of prostaglandin metabolites (PGFM, PGEM) after parturition in cows with and without retained placenta considering spontaneous calving and dystocia.

Blood samples were taken from 71 Holstein Friesian cows at 0, 3, 24 and 48 hours after parturition. Peripheral plasma concentrations of prostaglandin F2 alpha and E2 metabolites (PGFM, PGEM) were determined by radioimmunoassay. The cows were divided into 4 groups, according to type of calving (spontaneous, dystocia) and discharge of placenta. Group 1: spontaneous calving, shedding of placenta within 12 hours (SC, NRP, n = 19); group 2: spontaneous calving, retained placenta (SC, RP, n = 7); group 3: Dystocia, shedding of placenta within 12 hours (Dys, NRP, n = 32); group 4: Dystocia, retained placenta (Dys, RP, n = 13). The PGFM concentrations decreased within 3 hours after parturition only in NRP cows (groups 1 and 3, p < 0.05). Three hours after calving the animals of group 3 had considerably higher PGFM levels than those in group 4 (0.46 +/- 0.26 vs 0.26 +/- 0.11 ng/ml). Significant decreases (p < 0.05) in PGEM concentrations occurred in cows that shed the placenta within 24 hours after parturition. Cows that retained the placenta showed a significant slower decrease of the PGEM levels. It is concluded that postpartum prostaglandin levels are influenced by stress during parturition (dystocia, transportation) as well as by retained placenta.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[The relationship between bovine clinical mastitis at the time of parturition and retained placenta].

868 parturitions were examined to determine the relation between the clinical mastitis around partition and the loosening process of the placenta in the bovine. The occurrence of mastitis in heifers and cows around parturition was 18.7%. The frequency of retained placenta in animals with mastitis was significantly higher (p less than 0.01) than that in animals without mastitis influenced the loosening process of the afterbirth. The results support an hypothesis, that mastitis and retentio secundinarum can regard as signs of the decrease in the activity of the immune system.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[Gonadotropin release and course of diseases after administration of a GnRH-analog in cattle with follicular-thecal cysts].

Twenty-five heifers and cows with follicular cysts (high level of total oestrogens, low level of progesterone in plasma) were treated with 20 or 50 micrograms buserelin i.m. 5-84 weeks after parturition. Two hours after medication an increased LH release was observed in all animals. In contrast to LH, FSH concentration was not increased in all cows. Twelve days after treatment a high progesterone concentration in plasma could be determined in 17 of 25 treated animals. Twenty cows showed oestrous symptoms 23.5 +/- 9.6 days after medication. The oestrous cycle was prolonged in 10 cows. Nineteen cows were inseminated and 14 cows became pregnant after 1-4 (phi 1.7 +/- 0.9) inseminations (73.6% of all inseminated cows and 56% of all treated cows). The differences in conception rate and in services per conception after treatment with 20 or 50 micrograms buserelin in favour of the higher dosage cannot be attributed to the medication.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

[Endogenous opioid peptides in cattle during pregnancy, birth and the newborn period].

The concentrations of beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin in plasma were investigated in cows in different stages of gestation, during parturition and in the early postpartum period as well as in their newborn calves. Plasma beta-endorphin concentrations were low in the early stages of pregnancy. In the last month of gestation beta-endorphin levels almost as high as during parturition were found. Therefore in cattle the antepartum increase in plasma beta-endorphin concentration is not linked to the onset of labour. Met-enkephalin levels in plasma of calving cows were higher than those in cows in the last month of gestation. For met-enkephalin a relation to the stress of parturition is more likely than for beta-endorphin. In conjunction with a cesarean section the concentrations of beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin in plasma increased during surgery. This increase is likely to be caused by surgery-related stress. Calves showed highest beta-endorphin concentrations immediately after delivery. One hour post natum beta-endorphin levels were markedly decreased and showed only minor changes thereafter. In calves born at term highest met-enkephalin concentrations were found immediately post natum with levels decreasing continuously over the first two days of life. Preterm calves showed lower met-enkephalin concentrations in plasma than those born at term. During the first hour post natum in preterm animals met-enkephalin levels in plasma even increased. A highly significant correlation existed between met-enkephalin levels and the degree of acidosis in calves. An antagonism between endogenous opioids and catecholamines in newborns is suggested.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Intestinal cryptosporidiosis in calves on a dairy farm.

Oocysts of Cryptosporidium species were identified in the faeces of scouring calves from a dairy farm. The faeces were watery and greenish yellow but the calves were usually alert and not desiccated when they were admitted to the clinic. Without treatment they became severely desiccated and recumbent within a few hours, but after symptomatic treatment they improved rapidly. The importance of cryptosporidiosis as a herd health problem is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Coagulation profile of dairy cattle in the periparturient period.

A coagulation profile including prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen concentration was determined in 52 clinically healthy German Black Pied cattle during the periparturient period. In these cows a hypercoagulability appeared within the first 48 hours after parturition. Prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time for these animals were significantly shorter than those of nonpregnant animals. In addition, a hypercoagulability could be observed during the last three days before parturition. In comparison to cows whose calves were removed through the birth canal with assistance, animals on which a cesarean section was performed displayed a distinctly shorter partial thromboplastin time immediately after parturition and also a significantly lower fibrinogen concentration 3 as well as 24 hours after parturition.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Coagulation profile in different stages of pregnancy and under consideration of placental expulsion in dairy cattle.

It was the aim of the present study to determine different parameters of blood coagulation in dairy cattle in the course of gestation (n = 19) and during 9 days post partum (n = 40). The coagulation profile comprised prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen concentration, and platelet count. Prothrombin time was shorter in the 2nd month of gestation (13.9 s) than in the 7th (15.2 s) month. A reduction of partial thromboplastin time towards the end of gestation by approximately 4 seconds was statistically insignificant (p greater than 0.05). A significant change of fibrinogen concentration was established over a period of 10 days ante partum. Immediately before parturition, fibrinogen level (484 mg/dl) increased compared to one (325 mg/dl) and two (343 mg/dl) days before calving. Cows whose calves were developed per vias naturales displayed pronounced differences of fibrinogen concentration. Animals with retained placenta showed significantly higher fibrinogen concentrations than cows with normal expulsion of the placenta on all days.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Adrenocortical function in cows with the downer cow syndrome. A preliminary report.

To find out if cows with the downer cow syndrome have enhanced or exhausted adrenocortical function, fifteen downer cows were examined for adrenocortical response to 25 IU of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) between 1 and 9 days postpartum. Of the 15 cows, only two cows recovered following treatment, 10 cows were slaughtered due to poor prognosis and 3 cows were found dead. Four cows with milk fever also were investigated for adrenocortical function. Both the downer cows and cows with milk fever had significantly higher basal and ACTH-stimulated plasma glucocorticoid concentrations than cows without any postpartum complications on day 1 to 2 postpartum (P less than 0.05). There was a tendency that the downer cows which recovered later did not show enhanced adrenocortical function on day 4 to 5 and day 7 to 9 postpartum, while the downer cows with poor prognosis had significantly enhanced adrenocortical activity on the same days postpartum. The enhanced adrenocortical function shown in the milk fever cows on day 1 to 2 postpartum returned to a nearly normal state after their recovery. The results indicate the downer cows with poor prognosis had greatly enhanced adrenocortical function.

Adrenal Cortex↗

PubMed1990

Beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin in plasma of cattle during pregnancy, parturition and the neonatal period.

Plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin were measured, with appropriate radioimmunoassays, in cows during gestation and at parturition and in newborn calves. During pregnancy beta-endorphin immunoreactivity (IR) concentration increased, but values during the last month of gestation were not different from those at parturition. Highest met-enkephalin IR levels were obtained in cows during calving. A term Caesarean section caused an increase in plasma beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin IR concentrations, but no such increase occurred in cases of a preterm Caesarean section. In calves beta-endorphin IR values were lower before umbilical cord rupture than immediately after birth. Values decreased continuously thereafter. This was also the case for met-enkephalin IR concentrations in calves born at term. In preterm calves met-enkephalin IR values were low immediately after delivery and increased during the first hour of life. A significant correlation existed between the degree of acidosis and plasma levels of both opioid peptides in the calves. We conclude that a direct stimulation of peripheral beta-endorphin release by the pain or stress associated with calving does not seem to exist in cattle, whereas met-enkephalin seems to be more directly related to parturition. In calves the change to the extrauterine environment causes an immediate, increased release of both opioids.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Effects of dystocia on postpartum adrenocortical function in dairy cows.

Postpartum adrenocortical responses to adrenocorticotropic hormone in cows after normal (n = 10) and difficult (n = 52) parturition were investigated. The post-partum adrenocortical function of cows was affected by type of parturition (spontaneous parturition, forced extraction of fetus, caesarean section calving with or without attempted forced extraction, and total fetotomy) and day after calving (d 1, 4, and 8; d 0 = day of parturition). Cows after normal calving did not show enhanced or depressed adrenocortical function postpartum. Adrenocortical function was enhanced, compared with cows calving normally, for cows with dystocia that had a caesarean section after forced extraction was attempted and in cows in which calves were already dead and total fetotomy was performed. Cows with dystocia assisted with forced extraction by one to two people and cows that had caesarean sections without forced extraction did not show higher plasma glucocorticoid concentrations before or after adrenocorticotropic hormone administration than did cows with normal calving. Results indicate that dystocia requiring caesarean section following unsuccessful extraction or total fetotomy enhanced postpartum adrenocortical function in cows.

Adrenal Cortex↗

PubMed1990

[Model of an information system for veterinary fertility monitoring as part of an integrated herd management system].

The requirements of the veterinarian's work are changing by reason of an increasing intensity of dairy industry. The model of an information system for monitoring and managing dairy herd health and management system is described. General and special requirements are illustrated. The program requires urgent development for the use of veterinarians and herd owners, including the provision of a data communication link to a veterinary-agricultural information system. The system should integrate the veterinarians into the animal production in order to improve herd health and to secure the veterinarian's role in, and facilitate the development of novel scientific approaches to, dairy herd health and management.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed1990

Plasma glucocorticoid concentrations in calves as an indicator of stress during parturition.

Plasma glucocorticoid concentrations and blood gas values were determined for 6 days in 47 newborn calves that had been subjected to various obstetrical procedures at term. Concentrations of glucocorticoids were uniformly high at birth (70 to 103 ng/ml). Increasing degrees of acidosis were accompanied by increasing glucocorticoid concentrations in plasma. Plasma glucocorticoid concentrations decreased sharply during the first 6 hours after delivery and reached a plateau at 48 hours after birth (14 to 21 ng/ml). The latter was taken as an indication that adaptation had been achieved. Calves subjected to severe pulling had higher glucocorticoid concentrations at birth (110.4 ng/ml) than calves requiring no assistance (88.3 ng/ml), calves requiring only slight assistance (83.8 ng/ml), or calves that had been delivered by cesarean section (82.9 ng/ml).

Acidosis↗

PubMed1990

[Uterine perforation following an experiment in the correction of a uterine torsion in the 5th month of pregnancy. Illustrated report].

In this case report a perforation of the uterus in a German Black Pied cow after correction of the uterine torsion in the 5th month of gestation is described. Because of the hopeless prognosis, the cow was slaughtered. An additional finding was a metaplastic keratinization of the chorionic epithelium in the form of a plaque. The reason and pathogenic meaning of this metaplasia is not known. In the discussion, therapy of the uterine torsion in such an early state of gestation is critically considered.

Animals↗