[Plasma progesterone and ovarian findings related to plasma glucose and acetoacetat in the postpartum period in the cow (author's transl)].

Ovarian function and carbohydrate status were examined in 286 dairy cows. The cows, which were at various stages of the postpartum period, had their ovaries examined by one rectal palpation. Simultaneously with the clinical examination, one blood sample was taken for determination of progesterone, glucose and acetoacetate. In the period before 24 days post partum cows not having a corpus luteum had somewhat lower plasma glucose than cows having a corpus luteum (P less than 0.05). Cows not having a corpus luteum after 40 days showed a tendency to lower plasma glucose and higher plasma acetoacetate than cows having corpus luteum (P less than 0.05). Ovarian activity, expressed through frequency of high progesterone values (greater than or equal to 2 ng/ml), increased markedly after 40 days post partum, while the lowest glucose means and highest frequencies of acetoacetate greater than or equal to 2.5 mg/100 ml occurred before 30 days post partum. It is concluded that longitudinal studies post partum will be required to clarify the possible effect of hypoglycemia on the ovarian function.