Circulatory level of interleukin-1 in periparturient cows with or without postpartum reproductive diseases

ObjectiveTo determine the concentration of interleukin-1, a pro-inflammatory cytokine in periparturient cows and their association with the clinical outcome of postpartum reproductive diseases (PRD).MethodsBlood sampling was done from advanced pregnant cows on 15 days prepartum (−15 d), calving day (0 d), 15 days (15 d) and 30 days (30 d) post partum and thorough gynaecological examination was performed on 0 d, 15 d, 30 d and 45 d for diagnosis of PRD like retained placenta (ROP), clinical metritis (CM), clinical endometritis (CE), cervicitis (CT) and delayed involution of uterus (DIU). The blood serum was used for estimation of pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin 1 (IL-1) in different groups of cows using an enzyme immunoassay technique.ResultsThe IL-1 concentration was significantly higher for normal cows than ROP, CM, CE and DIU cows at 15 d prepartum (−15 d) and on the day of calving (0 d). However, IL-1 level was significantly (P<0.01) lower for normal (574.86±71.52) than ROP (869.10±66.29), CM (859.58±110.49) and CE (902.33±54.02) cows at 30 d (postpartum). The concentration of IL-1 increased significantly from −15 d through 30 d for cows suffering from reproductive diseases. However, the normal cows showed a decreasing trend from the day of calving till 30 d.ConclusionsDecreased level of IL-1 at 15 d prior or at calving may be used to identify the cows susceptible for development of PRD. Further, increased serum level of IL-1 may be considered as a diagnostic tool for screening of endometritic cows around 4 wk postpartum in a large herd, where individual monitoring is difficult.