RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENDORPHINS AND SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS IN CATTLE

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Prof. of Animal Physiology, Fac. of Agric., Menoufia Univ.

2 Prof. of Animal Physiology, Animal Production Research Institute Agricultural Research Centre

3 Assistant Prof. of Animal Physiology, Fac. of Agric., Menoufia Univ.

Abstract

The present research aimed to study changes in the levels of beta-endorphin and cortisol during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, periparturient and during the postpartum periods in Egyptian buffalo and Friesian cows; as well as studying the effect of some reproductive disorders (dystocia, retained placenta, and low BCS) on the activity of these hormones.

Results revealed that with the progression of calving events that include the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and the periparturient periods, a continuous increase in the concentrations of endorphins and cortisol in the blood plasma was observed in the buffalo and Friesian cows. Immediately after parturition, the concentrations of both endorphins and cortisol gradually decreased. With the passage of days after parturition, a decrease in the concentration of beta-endorphin was observed in blood plasma samples collected from all groups of buffaloes or Friesian cows, while cortisol concentrations increased in those samples except for that group suffering from placental retention. Also, results indicated that, the highest values ​​of endorphins and cortisol concentrations were recorded in blood samples of the abnormal RP and dystocia groups as compared to those cattle of low BCS or those cattle of control group during the different phases studied.

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