Abstract

BOTTINI-LUZARDO, María et al. Mimosine intake on development of the endometrial glands in early postpartum cows. Agrociencia [online]. 2018, vol.52, n.6, pp.817-826. ISSN 2521-9766.

Leucaena leucocephala is a shrub rich in proteins and mimosine. This high-density crop is cultivated to increase protein intake in cattle production systems. Mimosine is an antimitotic and its effect on the endometrium is still unknown. It is presumed that it could accumulate in the endometrial tissue, inhibiting the development of the endometrial glands, which are in charge of nurturing the embryo. The objective of this study was to determine mimosine accumulation in the endometrial tissue as a result of the consumption of L. leucocephala and to observe its effect in the development of the endometrial glands of early postpartum cows in a silvopastoral system. Twenty-four Bos indicusXBos taurus cows were divided in two treatments: grazing in a silvopastoral system (SSP, n=12), formed by the association of Cynodon nlemfuensis and L. leucocephala, var. Cunningham; and grazing in a monoculture system (SM, n=12) of C. nlemfuensis. Mimosine consumption per kilogram of live weight was estimated based on the daily consumption of mimosine per cow. Mimosine concentration in the uterine tissue was determined using HPLC. A Student’s t test (p≤0.05) was applied to contrast the differences between the mimosine concentration in the endometrial tissue of functional and non-functional glands. Mimosine accumulated in the endometrial tissue of SSP cows. Its concentration ranged from 51.02 to 63.45 μg g-1 of endometrial tissue (TE). The endometrial glands had a normal development, with ≤53.73 μg g-1 mimosine concentration in TE. By contrast, with 60.81 μg g-1, or higher, TE concentrations, endometrial glands showed signs of atrophy. Daily mimosine consumption in the SSP was 0.019 g kg-1 live weight. Mimosine from L. leucocephala consumption accumulates in the endometrial tissue and can cause endometrial glands atrophy in early postpartum cows.

Keywords : Bos indicus; Bos taurus; postpartum; Leucaena leucocephala; Cynodon nlemfuensis; reproduction.

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