Alteration in peripheral blood concentration of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines in cows developing retention of fetal membranes

Retention of fetal membranes (RFM) adversely affects the production and reproduction potential of the affected cows leading to huge economic loss. Physiological separation of fetal membranes is reported to be an inflammatory process. The present study compared the concentrations of certain pro inflammatory cytokines [Interleukin 1β (IL-1), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Interleukin 8 (IL-8) and Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) between the cows that developed RFM (n = 10) and the cows that expelled fetal membranes normally (n = 10) to find out if they could serve as a predictive tool for RFM. Blood samples were collected from the cows from 30 days before expected parturition through day −21, day −14, day −7, day −5, day −3, day −1, on the day of parturition (day 0), day 1 postpartum and the pro-inflammatory cytokines were estimated in blood plasma by ELISA method. The IL-1β concentration was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in cows that developed RFM compared to those that expelled fetal membranes normally from 3 days before calving till the day of calving. The plasma concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 were also lower (P < 0.05) in cows that developed RFM than those calved normally. On the day of calving, significantly (P < 0.05) lower concentrations of TNF-α was observed in cows that developed RFM compared to those expelled fetal membranes normally. It may be inferred that the concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α around parturition were altered in cows developing RFM compared to those expelled fetal membranes normally.