The aim of this study was to determine whether meteorological factors are associated with the timing of either onset of labor with intact membranes or rupture of membranes prior to labor-together referred to as 'the initiating event' of parturition. All patients delivering at Evanston Hospital after spontaneous labor or rupture of membranes at ≥20 weeks of gestation over a 6-month period were s...

The transition period is the most critical time of the cow’s lactation cycle that is associated with the onset of mastitis. In this study, changes of plasma proteins in cows (n = 12) with or without subclinical mastitis after calving were determined by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), which detected 18 spots with variations in protein spots abundance. These spots were identified by liqui...

A total of 190 rabbit females were used to evaluate five feeding programmes from 9 weeks of age to the first parturition: CAL, fed ad libitum with a control diet (C: 11.0 MJ digestible energy (DE) and 114 g digestible protein (DP)/kg dry matter (DM)) until first parturition; CR, fed ad libitum with C diet until 12 weeks of age and then C diet restricted (140 g/day) until first parturition; F, f...

The period from 3 wk before to 3 wk after parturition in dairy cows, also known as the transition period, is characterized by significant changes in hormonal profile, feed intake, nutrient requirements, metabolism, and energy balance. These changes are known to dramatically affect immune function. In this manuscript we will discuss situations that accentuate immune suppression and predispose co...

In this study, it is aimed to determine the length of estrus cycle, size of the preovulatory follicle, and ovulation time during the postpartum period (pp) in Anatolian jennies and to measure steroid hormone levels during the same period. Five healthy Jennies at late-stage of gestation were included in the study. During the post partum period, plasma progesterone (P4), total estrogen (E2) and 2...

Pregnancy, decreased feed intake during late gestation, lactogenesis, and parturition have dramatic effects on metabolism in dairy cows during the transition period from 3 wk before calving to 3 wk after calving. Increases in plasma NEFA occur during the 10 d before calving and may precede the decrease in feed intake. Plasma NEFA concentrations are highest at calving and decrease rapidly after ...

The transition period occurring 2 wk prepartum through 2 to 4 wk postpartum is the major risk period in the etiology of left displaced abomasum. The prepartum depression of intake and the slow postpartum increase in intake are risk factors causing lower ruminal fill, reduced forage to concentrate ratio, and increased incidence of other postpartum disorders. Uncomplicated ketosis, retained place...

Concentrations of estradiol and progesterone in blood collected during the 12.5-day gestation period of the Virginia opossum were not significantly different from those during equivalent days of the estrous cycle. Progesterone was correlated with an index of corpora luteral mass. Ratio of estradiol to progesterone were highest 3 to 4 days before estrus and on the day of parturition.