Uterine involution, blood count and biochemical profile of zebu cows (Bos taurus indicus) during the transition period

• Grant number: 24/00520-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Harry Birgel Junior
• Grantee: Andressa Velloso
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The transition period is an extremely challenging phase for cows, marked by endocrine and metabolic changes. The existence of little information in the literature regarding the transition period of beef zebu cows led to the proposal of this research project, with its objective being to evaluate postpartum uterine involution and evaluate the influence of the peripartum period in the blood count and biochemical profile of zebu cows (Bos taurus indicus). The animals will be monitored through clinical examination, ultrasound evaluations and laboratory analyzes during the last 30 days before birth, up to 60 days after birth. The times determined for blood collection will be: 30 to 16, 15 to 11, 10 to 7, 6 to 4, 3 to 1 days before calving, calving, 1, 3, 7, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 postpartum days. To evaluate uterine involution, the animals will be examined at the following times: 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 days postpartum. During harvesting, a clinical examination will be carried out consisting of measurements of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rumen movement frequency (RM), body temperature (TC), body condition score (BCS), gynecological and ultrasound examination of the uterus and ovaries, blood count, lipid profile, liver function and kidney function.