Biochemical Profile of Cows with Spontaneous Expulsion and Retention of Fetal Membranes

Six cows with spontaneous expulsion of fetal membranes (FME control group) were studied for biochemical profile at 12 hours and 7th post-partum day. For therapeutic trials 24 cows having retained fetal membranes were divided in 4 groups having 6 cows in each group. FMR-I group cows were administered parentral calcium boro gluconate (250ml i.v. and 100 ml s/c on first day followed by 100 ml i.v. as well as s/c for subsequent 6 days); FMR-II group cows were given 500 ml dextrose (20%) intravenously for 7 days; FMR-III cows were treated with calcium boro gluconate as well as 20% dextrose for 7 days whereas, manual removal of fetal membranes was performed in cows from FMR-IV group. On the basis of in-vitro antibiotic sensitivity tests, intra-uterine antibiotic was given to each cow from each group for 7 days. Two blood samples (with and without sodium iodide as anticoagulant) were collected aseptically by jugular venipuncture at 12 hours and 7 days post-partum from each cow of FME as well as FMR groups. Blood glucose level was assessed in each blood sample, whereas, serum sample was assessed for calcium, inorganic phosphorus, total protein and alkaline phosphate level as per standard procedures. Mean levels of blood glucose (mg/dl), total serum protein (g/dl), serum calcium (mg/dl), inorganic phosphorus (mg/dl) and alkaline phosphatase activity (KA/dl) at 12 hours post-partum in FME cows (64.26±0.268, 6.2±0.178, 9.37±0.467, 4.68±0.22 and 9.62±0.192 respectively) differed significantly (p≤0.05) from those in FMR cows (48.39±2.095, 8.36±0.138, 6.48±0.193, 3.69±0.165 and 13.90±0.466 respectively). At 7 days post partum values of these blood biochemical parameters in FME cows were 66.74±0.481, 7.42±0.132, 9.85±0.492, 4.89±0.255 and 8.79±0.356 respectively, whereas, in FMR-I; FMR-II; FMR-III; FMR-IV group cows values of these parameters were 52.71±4.878, 7.2±0.225, 9.63±0.336, 4.35±0.334 and 9.45±0.243; 61.51±2.551, 6.97±0.296, 9.47±0.341, 4.95±0.216 and 9.36±0.292; 61.97±2.852, 7.14±0.229, 9.97±0.525, 4.62±0.473 and 9.06±0.358; 49.74±1.805, 8.88±0.271, 7.13±0.46, 3.92±0.233 and 13.61±0.97 respectively. It was concluded that cows with retained fetal membranes have significantly (p≤0.05) low blood glucose, serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus levels whereas, total serum protein and alkaline phosphatase level in these cows remain high as compared to those in cows having spontaneous expulsion of fetal membranes. Therapeutic expulsion of fetal membranes by parentral administration of calcium and 20% dextrose in cows with RFM is least detrimental wherein blood biochemical profile returns to normal level with 7 post-partum days, whereas, manual removal of fetal membranes causes prolonged altered biochemical status in animal having retained fetal membranes.