Application of acute phase proteins as indicators of retained placenta and their relation to energy metabolites in postcalving dairy cows

The study aims to compare the accuracy of haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations for the diagnosis of retained placenta (RP) and their relation to energy metabolites during three stages of postpartum periods in dairy cattle. To this end, 40 postcalving dairy cows with RP (group I) and clinically healthy (group II) were selected ( n = 20 each). The cows were placed into three stages of time period, from 1 to 3 weeks after parturition. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of all groups. There were significant differences in mean Hp and SAA concentrations of RP in 1 and 2 weeks after calving compared to healthy cows ( p