1. Hair dehydroepiandrosterone in newborn beef calves from birth up to 10 months of ageMonica Probo, Tanja Peric, Massimo Faustini, Alberto Prandi, Antonella Comin, 2018, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: Although steroidogenesis in maternal, placental and fetal compartments is interdependent, the maternal and fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes represent separate biological systems, with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) recognized as the main fetal steroid. Fetal steroids are likely to influence development and have long-term effects on HPA function. Hair analysis represents a promising methodological approach for the non-invasive measurement of steroids, allowing for a retrospective analysis of the total exposure to steroids over time, and avoiding the influence of acute events or circadian fluctuations (Schury et al. 2017, BMC Psychiatry 17:213). Hair coat DHEA (hcD) concentrations have been investigated in cows (Peric et al. 2017, Livestock Sci 202:39–43), but no studies
have been performed on newborn calves. Hair samples of 12 beef
calves (7 males, 5 females) were collected by shaving at calving (T0) and monthly up to 10 months of age (T1-T10), only on the re-growth area. Hair DHEA was analyzed by RIA2. Statistical analysis revealed that hcD concentrations in calves were influenced by age, with higher levels at T1 and T2 compared to the other samples (p < 0.05). HcD levels were not influenced by newborn gender, birth weight and Apgar score. These data demonstrate that DHEA is quantifiable in the hair coat of newborn calves, and that hcD levels are influenced by the age of calves. The higher accumulation of DHEA was detected from birth to 2 months of age, suggesting that DHEA continues to be secreted by the newborn calf also beyond birth and could be involved in the events occurring during the first months of age. Keywords: hair, dehydroepiandrosterone, cattle, calf Published in RUNG: 09.04.2019; Views: 3942; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
2. Maternal and fetal hair cortisol concentrations in beef cattle at deliveryTanja Peric, Monica Probo, Antonella Comin, Maria Cristina Veronesi, Marta Montillo, Alberto Prandi, 2018, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of both mother and fetus, is one of key mechanisms involved in fetal programming. Cortisol, the end-product of this axis, plays a critical role in regulating fetal and new-born metabolism and development. The aim of the study was to evaluate maternal and fetal cortisol concentrations shortly after delivery on hair samples non-invasively collected. The study was carried out on 11 pairs of beef cows and their calves (calves were 12 because of one case of twins) from the same farm and subjected to the same managerial conditions. Hair from new-born
calves and from their mothers was
collected on the day of birth shaving their withers to the level of the skin. The hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) were determined by RIA as previously described (Peric et al. 2013: J Dairy Sci 96:3023–3027). The results showed that fetal and maternal HCC ranged from 16.11 to 40.43 pg/mg and from 1.88 to 15.73 pg/mg respectively, with fetal and maternal mean ± SE HCC of 23.72 ± 2.21 and 6.40 ± 1.32 pg/mg respectively (p < 0.001). Fetal HCC were on average 3.5 higher than those of mothers but this ratio differed among the pairs. These differences were also found among the twin calves. These results indicate that in beef cows-and-calves pairs, although HCC at delivery were always higher in calves than in cows, the ratio between fetal and maternal HCC differs among pairs, suggesting an individuality in the fetal programming processes that may also rely on genetic and epigenetic factors. Keywords: hair, cortisol, cattle, delivery Published in RUNG: 09.04.2019; Views: 4330; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
3. Plasma cortisol concentrations in Holstein Friesian and Belgian Blue newborn calves born by different types of deliveryM. Probo, Tanja Peric, M. Montillo, Geert Opsomer, L. O. Fiems, M. C. Veronesi, 2016, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: Cortisol (C) is a major stimulus for fetal and neonatal lung maturation and for surfactant production. Neonatal calves born by caesarean section (CS), particularly the double-muscled
Belgian Blue (BB), are more proned to develop the respiratory distress syndrome (Cambier et al. 2002 Vet Res 33, 283–290; Danlois et al. 2003 Vet J 165, 65–72). The aim of this study was to investigate C plasma levels in 15 Holstein Friesian (HF) newborn calves born by spontaneous vaginal delivery (VD) and in 25 BB newborn calves born by elective CS. Blood samples were taken at 10, 20, 30 min and at 6, 24 h after birth and at 7
and 14 days of age. Plasma C concentrations were analyzed by RIA.
Statistical analysis evidenced an influence of both time (p < 0.05) and group (p < 0.0001) on C concentrations. In agreement with previous studies, high C levels at birth were followed by a reduction at 6 h and by a further decrease on day 7 after birth in both groups. Cortisol concentrations were different between BB and HF calves, with significantly higher levels in HF calves. These findings are in agreement with studies in newborn babies, while previous studies on calves mentioned no differences in C levels between calves born without assistance vs. calves born by CS. The present results suggest that both breed and type of delivery are associated with plasma C levels in the newborn calf. Keywords: Plasma cortisol, Holstein Friesian, Belgian Blue, calf, delivery Published in RUNG: 15.11.2016; Views: 5415; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
4. Plasma T3 and T4 concentrations in newborn calves : influence of type of delivery and breedTanja Peric, A. Prandi, M. C. Veronesi, M. Probo, Geert Opsomer, L. O. Fiems, 2013, published scientific conference contribution abstract Keywords: teleta, plazma, T3, T4 Published in RUNG: 10.07.2015; Views: 5722; Downloads: 151 Link to full text |
5. Plasma IGF-I concentrations in holstein-friesian heifers from birth to pubertyTanja Peric, A. Prandi, M. C. Veronesi, Massimo Faustini, M. Probo, I. De Amicis, 2014, published scientific conference contribution abstract Keywords: plazma, rojstvo, puberteta, telice Published in RUNG: 22.01.2015; Views: 5521; Downloads: 157 Link to full text |