PROGESTERONE, ESTROGENS AND SELECTED BIOCHEMICAL-CONSTITUENTS IN PLASMA AND UTERINE FLUSHINGS OF NORMAL AND REPEAT-BREEDER BUFFALO COWS

Sixty-four lactating buffalo cows (24 normal cycling, 8 pregnant and 32 repeat-breeder), selected from two buffalo farms near Cairo during 1987 and 1988, were studied during the first 26 days after oestrus (day 0). Plasma progesterone concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in pregnant than in cyclic (between days 3 and 5) and repeat-breeder (between days 0 and 8) animals. Concentrations of total unconjugated oestrogens were also highest (P < 0.01) in the pregnant group between days 6 and 16. Cyclic and pregnant cows had higher (P < 0.01) concentrations of plasma calcium between days 3 and 7, inorganic phosphorus at all times and glucose between days 2 and 8 than repeat-breeders. Plasma protein concentrations were greater at all times, except between days 6 and 8, in the first two groups. Analysis of the uterine fluid collected from cyclic and repeat-breeder buffalo cows revealed that concentrations of all biochemical components, except for calcium, were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in flushings from the uterus of cyclic animals than from repeat-breeders at all times for inorganic phosphorus, between days 6 and 12 for glucose and on day 2 as well as between days 8 and 12 for protein. Large differences were found in calcium levels, especially on day 12 when flushings from repeat-breeder cows contained more than six times the concentrations of this metabolite in uterine flushings from cyclic animals. The results suggested that reduced luteal function, related to atypical profiles of plasma biochemical components, during the oestrous cycle in repeat-breeder buffalo cows might provide the basis for altered syntheses and secretions of uterine calcium, phosphorus, glucose and proteins which are needed for embryo development.