ANDAMENTO DI ALCUNI PARAMETRI ENDOCRINO-METABOLICI IN CORSO DI CISTI OVARICHE NELLA BOVINA DA LATTE

The aim of this study was to investigate progesterone, cortisol and PGF2α(twice-a-day)as well as NEFA and IGF-I (once-a-week)plasma concentrations in post partum dairy cows affected by ovarian cysts (n=4) compared to cycling cows (n=4). Blood samples were collected for 9 weeks from the 7th week after parturition. Progesterone and PGF2α plasma levels did not show any signs of cyclicity in the cystic cows, while cortisol profile was slightly lower in cystic compared to normal cows. NEFA levels were not different between the two groups in the whole period, while IGF-I plasma concentrations were significantly higher in cystic compared to normal cows especially during the 8th, 10th and 11th weeks after calving.