Technical Report: Serial collections of placentomes during parturition in cattle and subsequent reproductive performance

Authors: McNeel, Anthony; ONDRAK, JEFF - University Of Nebraska; Cushman, Robert - Bob

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/28/2013
Publication Date: 5/1/2013
Citation: McNeel, A.K., Ondrak, J.D., Cushman, R.A. 2013. Technical Report: Serial collections of placentomes during parturition in cattle and subsequent reproductive performance. Journal of Animal Science. 91(5):2119-2121.

Interpretive Summary: The information contained within this technical report provides researchers with the plans for a new tissue collection device, a description of its use, and the potential effects of repeated tissue collections. The device is designed to collect soft tissues, in this case placenta, using readily available materials. We found that animals subjected to multiple collections of placental tissues using this device are less likely to expire and were able to become pregnant within 110 days of the procedure.

Technical Abstract: Placental separation is a complex physiological event in reproductive physiology and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. When comparing different experiments the timing of tissue collections is a significant consideration due to the variability in time between fetal expulsion and expulsion of the placenta (30 min to >24 h). This makes comparison of tissues samples across animals difficult and supports the need for serial tissue collections within animal. Additionally, the instrument most commonly used, a modified Richter-Resinsinger effeminator, for placentome collections is difficult to obtain and there are no data in the literature record regarding subsequent reproductive performance of animals subjected placentome collections. To facilitate continued research into the physiology behind placental separation, we designed an instrument from readily available components and performed serial transvaginal placentome collections in cattle. Three placentomes at 2-h intervals were collected after expulsion of the calf in 18 multiparous cows. There was no incidence of mortality and all cows resumed estrous after the procedure. Neither time from placentome collection nor age had a significant effect on pregnancy status at diagnosis (P > 0.05). These results demonstrate the viability of and utility of this device for collecting multiple placentomes in cattle.