Effects of dystocia on postpartum adrenocortical function in dairy cows

Postpartum adrenocortical responses to adrenocorticotropic hormone in cows after normal (n = 10) and difficult (n = 52) parturition were investigated. The post-partum adrenocortical function of cows was affected by type of parturition (spontaneous parturition, forced extraction of fetus, caesarean section calving with or without attempted forced extraction, and total fetotomy) and day after calving (d 1, 4, and 8; d 0 = day of parturition). Cows after normal calving did not show enhanced or depressed adrenocortical function postpartum. Adrenocortical function was enhanced, compared with cows calving normally, for cows with dystocia that had a caesarean section after forced extraction was attempted and in cows in which calves were already dead and total fetotomy was performed. Cows with dystocia assisted with forced extraction by one to two people and cows that had caesarean sections without forced extraction did not show higher plasma glucocorticoid concentrations before or after adrenocorticotropic hormone administration than did cows with normal calving. Results indicate that dystocia requiring caesarean section following unsuccessful extraction or total fetotomy enhanced postpartum adrenocortical function in cows.