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K-State Today

February 13, 2018

Barry Bradford to present Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Seminar on Feb. 14

Submitted by Department of Biochemistry

Barry Bradford, professor of animal sciences and industry, will present "Peripartum inflammation: pathology or adaptation? Lessons from the dairy cow" as part of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Seminar series at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, in 120 Ackert Hall.

The birthing process is triggered largely by inflammatory pathways, so it not surprising that inflammation is a part of the complex physiological shifts that occur around parturition. However, a flurry of recent research in domestic animals is highlighting much broader impacts than were previously recognized. In dairy cattle, abnormally elevated acute phase proteins in the first week after parturition are among the best prognostics for lactation success, both in terms of health and milk yield. Likewise, intervention studies have revealed dramatic positive effects of very short-term anti-inflammatory treatment on milk yield over 10 months. On the other hand, very similar treatments, when applied too early, have disrupted delivery of the placenta and even induced stillbirth. Furthermore, some results suggest that anti-inflammatory treatments may disrupt the metabolic adaptions to lactation, perhaps by inhibiting an adaptive form of insulin resistance. This presentation will provide an overview of these findings and how they might inform our understanding of maternal health across species.

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