Introduction:This study compared the vaginal microbiota composition of dairy cows with follicular and luteal ovarian cysts using metagenomic analysis. Material and Methods:Ovarian cysts, which impair reproductive performance through endocrine disruption, were diagnosed by ultrasonography and serum hormone evaluation in Holstein cows 30-60 d postpartum. Forty-five cows were initially included and divided into follicular cyst, luteal cyst and control groups. Vaginal lavage samples were analysed using third-generation sequencing, and taxonomic classification was performed through 16S rRNA gene analysis. Results:A total of 258 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified, with the highest diversity observed in the control group (mean of 56.8 OTUs) and the lowest in the luteal cyst group (mean of 49.0 OTUs). Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum across all groups (93.4%), followed by Tenericutes (5.9%). Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria accounted for less than 1%. At the family level, Burkholderiaceae (62.7%) and Pasteurellaceae (24.0%) were predominant, while of the genera, Ralstonia was the most abundant (62.2%). The luteal group had the highest relative abundance of Burkholderiaceae, whereas Pasteurellaceae was most abundant in the control group. Conclusion:These results indicate that cystic cows exhibit reduced microbial diversity and altered bacterial composition in comparison with healthy animals. The predominance of Proteobacteria and Ralstonia suggests a potential link between endocrine imbalance and changes in the vaginal microenvironment. Hormonal analyses supported the classification of cyst types, with follicular cyst cows showing low progesterone (0.31 ± 0.05 ng/mL) and high oestradiol-17β concentrations (55.57 ± 7.91 pg/mL), whereas luteal cyst cows exhibited higher progesterone (2.89 ± 0.74 ng/mL) and lower oestradiol-17β concentrations (6.19 ± 0.56 pg/mL) (P < 0.001). These results may support future studies evaluating vaginal microbial profiles as complementary indicators of ovarian status in dairy cows.

Introduction:Placental development in sheep involves closely coordinated morphological and endocrine processes. Ultrasonographic placentome measurements and maternal ovine placental lactogen (oPL) profiles reflect distinct components of pregnancy progression; however, their longitudinal relationship across gestation has not been clearly defined. This study aimed to characterize temporal changes in placentome diameter and maternal oPL concentrations and to evaluate how their association evolves throughout pregnancy. Methods:Fifty clinically healthy, multiparous Kivircik ewes carrying singleton pregnancies were monitored longitudinally from Day 26 to Day 145 of gestation. Serial transabdominal ultrasonography was performed at two-week intervals to measure placentome diameter using consistent anatomical landmarks. Maternal blood samples collected at each examination were analyzed for serum oPL concentrations using validated immunoassays. Gestational changes were assessed using non-parametric repeated-measures analyses. Associations between structural and endocrine variables were examined using day-specific correlation analyses and within-ewe models that accounted for repeated observations and individual baseline variability. Results:Placentome diameter increased rapidly during early gestation, rising from approximately 1.3 cm at Day 26 to around 3.5 cm by mid-gestation, after which values stabilised and showed only minor fluctuations toward term. Maternal oPL concentrations increased progressively from early pregnancy, reaching peak values of approximately 15-16 μg/mL in late gestation before declining near parturition. No significant association between placentome diameter and oPL concentration was detected during early gestation. Transient inverse relationships were observed at selected mid-gestational time points, whereas from late gestation onward, a consistent positive association emerged. Within-ewe analyses demonstrated a strong positive co-variation between placentome diameter and circulating oPL concentrations after controlling for inter-individual differences. Discussion:These findings indicate that placentome growth and oPL secretion follow distinct yet interrelated developmental trajectories during sheep gestation, with increasing structural-endocrine concordance in late pregnancy. The integrated longitudinal evaluation of placentome biometry and maternal oPL profiles provides a refined framework for interpreting placental development and may support improved assessment of gestational progression in both research and clinical settings.

BACKGROUND:Subclinical mastitis is the predominant form of mammary inflammation in dairy buffaloes and remains a diagnostic challenge under field conditions. OBJECTIVES:This study assessed milk C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in relation to somatic cell count (SCC) and microbiological findings in Anatolian and Italian Mediterranean buffaloes. METHODS:Milk samples were collected from 160 individual mammary lobes and classified as subclinical mastitis-positive or healthy based on combined cytological and bacteriological criteria. SCC was determined using an automated cell counter, microbiological examination was performed by conventional culture and identification methods, and milk CRP concentrations were quantified by a sandwich ELISA. RESULTS:SCC was significantly higher in subclinical mastitis-affected mammary lobes than in healthy controls in both breeds (p < 0.001). Mean SCC values were 1616.05 ± 167.04 ×103 cells/mL and 1245.98 ± 82.90 ×103 cells/mL in subclinical mastitis samples from Anatolian Mediterranean and Italian Mediterranean buffaloes, respectively, whereas corresponding control values were 285.48 ± 19.96 ×103 cells/mL and 254.45 ± 21.44 ×103 cells/mL (p < 0.001). Bacterial growth was detected only in samples classified as subclinical mastitis, with Staphylococcus aureus identified as the most frequent isolate. Mean milk CRP concentrations were significantly higher in subclinical mastitis samples compared with controls, with values of 196.26 ± 3.44 ng/mL and 205.45 ± 5.89 ng/mL in subclinical mastitis samples from Anatolian Mediterranean and Italian Mediterranean buffaloes, respectively, versus 162.16 ± 4.95 ng/mL and 158.22 ± 3.32 ng/mL in control samples (p < 0.001). Breed did not influence milk CRP concentrations within the same mastitis status. CONCLUSIONS:These results indicate that milk CRP reflects mammary inflammatory activity and provides information complementary to SCC in the evaluation of subclinical mastitis in dairy buffaloes.

Cystic ovarian follicles (COF) are a major reproductive disorder in cows, leading to impaired fertility and substantial economic losses. The pathogenesis of COF is multifactorial and involves neuroendocrine dysregulation as well as local ovarian dysfunction. Increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in follicular development and granulosa cell function. In this study investigated the expression levels of miR-21, miR-93, and BMPR2 in cystic ovarian follicles. The study examined healthy (n = 35) and cystic (n = 35) ovarian tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of miR-21, miR-93, and BMPR2 in bovine cystic ovarian follicles and to investigate their potential association with the cystic ovarian condition. Histopathological evaluation confirmed characteristic degenerative changes in cystic follicles, including thinning and sparse cellularity of the granulosa layer and atrophic alterations of the theca layer. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed significantly higher expression levels of miR-21 (p = 0.013) and miR-93 (p < 0.001) in cystic ovarian tissues compared with healthy controls, whereas BMPR2 expression did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.725). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated moderate discriminative power for miR-21 (AUC = 0.672) and high discriminative performance for miR-93 (AUC = 0.899). Correlation analysis showed a significant positive association between miR-93 and BMPR2 expression in the cystic group, while no significant correlations were observed in healthy ovaries. The findings indicate that miR-21 and miR-93 are upregulated in bovine cystic ovarian follicles, with miR-93 showing superior diagnostic potential compared with miR-21. The positive association between miR-93 and BMPR2 expression in cystic ovaries suggests a possible involvement of miR-93 in BMP-related regulatory pathways during cyst formation.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of oxytocin and carazolol on uterine involution in postpartum Kıvırcık ewes. Thirty primiparous suckling Kıvırcık ewes were divided into 3 groups: carazolol, oxytocin, and control. The ewes underwent transcutaneous B-mode USG in the 1st week after birth, and the examinations continued via transrectal USG until the 28th day of postpartum (pp). The pulsatility index (PI), resistive index (RI), and systolic/diastolic (S/D) velocity ratio were recorded for uterine artery by Doppler USG. On postpartum 21st day, gravid horn diameter reduction was best achieved in the carazolol group. The PI values were found to be statistically significant (P˂0.001) on days 14 and 21 pp. The mean RI values of uterine artery were statistically higher (P˂0.01) in the oxytocin group. The highest RI value was detected on the 14th day of pp. The carazolol group had statistically higher (P˂0.05) mean S/D values when compared to other groups. In conclusion, the most effective drug used to accelerate involution was found to be carazolol. The drugs used in this study appeared to have a contraction effect on the uterine arteries.

This study developed an innovative biosensor strategy for the sensitive and selective detection of canine mammary tumor biomarkers, cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) and mucin 1 (MUC-1), integrating green silver nanoparticles (GAgNPs) with machine learning (ML) algorithms to achieve high diagnostic accuracy and potential for noninvasive early detection. The GAgNPs-enhanced electrochemical biosensor demonstrated selective detection of CA 15-3 in serum and MUC-1 in tissue homogenates, with limits of detection (LODs) of 0.07 and 0.11 U mL-1, respectively. The nanoscale dimensions of the GAgNPs endowed them with electrochemically active surface areas, facilitating sensitive biomarker detection. Experimental studies targeted CA 15-3 and MUC-1 biomarkers in clinical samples, and the biosensor exhibited ease of use and good selectivity. Furthermore, ML algorithms were employed to analyze the electrochemical data and predict biomarker concentrations, enhancing the diagnostic accuracy. The Random Forest algorithm achieved 98% accuracy in tumor presence prediction, while an Artificial Neural Network attained 76% accuracy in CA 15-3-based tumor grade classification. The integration of ML techniques with the GAgNPs-based biosensor offers a promising approach for noninvasive, accurate, and early detection of canine mammary tumors, potentially revolutionizing veterinary diagnostics. This multilayered strategy, combining eco-friendly nanomaterials, electrochemical sensing, and ML algorithms, holds significant potential for advancing both biomedical research and clinical practice in the field of canine mammary tumor diagnostics.

Growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9), an oocyte-derived member of the TGF-β superfamily, plays an essential role in regulation of follicular development. This study aimed to determine the cyclic changes in serum GDF-9 concentration, compare its levels before and after ovariohysterectomy (OHE), and investigate its potential as a tool in ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) diagnosis in cats. GDF-9 measurements were performed on 50 cats referred for routine OHE. The stage of the estrous cycle was determined by vaginal cytology and measurement of serum estradiol and progesterone levels was carried out to detect the cyclic changes in circulating GDF-9. One week after OHE, serum samples were collected again from 30 cats to reveal differences in GDF-9 levels. GDF-9 levels in the follicular phase were significantly higher than those in the interestrus (p⟨0.05). The postoperative analysis could be performed. GDF-9 levels slightly decreased one week after OHE (p=0.053). In conclusion, blood GDF-9 levels change during the estrous cycle, and may decrease with age in cats. However, further studies are needed to reveal the efficiency of GDF-9 in ORS diagnosis.

In this study, the geometric morphometry of the pelvis of 32 (16 male, 16 female) crossbreed cats was investigated. Pelvis images of cats were obtained by computerized tomography method. Then, these images were modelled and geometric morphometry was applied. Shape variations of the pelvis of all individuals were obtained by principal component analysis. The first principal component (PC1) value explained 18.44% of the total variation. Second principal component (PC2) and third principal component (PC3) values explained 16.84% and 13.60% of the total variation, respectively. The difference in the shape of the pelvis of female and male cats was more pronounced in PC2 and PC3, which differed in the linea terminalis. The centroid size difference in terms of sex in the Procrustes ANOVA result is statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). However, the shape difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). As a result of discriminant analysis, the pelvis of female and male cats was completely separated from each other. The crista iliaca of males was more lateral than females. Linea terminalis was wider in shape in females. The edge of the acetabulum was higher in shape in males. Regression analysis was performed to see whether the age and weight of the cats had an effect on the centroid size of the cats. Age and weight were not found to be effective on centroid size. The shape variations of the anatomical formations obtained by geometric morphometry method can be revealed, and it can be examined whether there is a shape difference between the groups.

A 1 years old, weighing approximately 90 g adult, intact golden hamster with uninterrupted bloody vaginal discharge was presented to department of obstetrics and gynecology clinic . Enlarged uterine horns were detected behind the kidneys during ultrasonography. Based on the history, clinical signs, and ultrasonographic findings; cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra complex were diagnosed. Ovariohysterectomy was recommended for the animal. The stitches were removed on the 10th day in the post-operative period. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologically in the organ pieces submitted to pathology after the operation. In conclusion, since pyometra is a rare condition in hamsters and could not find any similar case report for this specie, it is suggested to present this case and ovariohisterectomy is recommended despite the high anesthesia risk in such cases.

The information obtained about the gestational age allows ewes to be grouped and fed with appropriate rations for pregnancy. The aims of this study are to evaluate the relationship between placentome diameter (PD), placentome blood flow pixel area (PBFPA) and progesterone (P4) concentrations during pregnancy and to determine which parameter/s is/are effective in determining the gestational age better in sheep whose gestational age is unknown. In the study, 50 singleton pregnant Kivircik ewes were used. The day that the sheep mated with the ram was considered as day 0 of pregnancy. Ultrasonographic examinations and blood sample collections were done on the same day; once a week between 26-40 days, once every two weeks between 41-130 days, and once a week from day 130 of gestation until parturition. The power Doppler images of the biggest 3 placentomes were recorded. ImageJ software program was used for analysis of the area of colored pixels of placentome. The gestational day accurately determined up to 40th, 84th and 96th day of pregnancy according to the PD, PBFPA and P4 concentration, respectively. In conclusion, no relationship (except for PBFPA 40 and PD 40; P < 0.05) between PD, PBFPA and P4 concentration on same time segments were detected in Kivircik ewes during pregnancy in this study. It was determined that P4 concentration measurements in sheep with unknown breeding time were the most useful parameter for determining the day of gestation, rather than PBFPA and PD, until day 96 of gestation in this study. However, while progesterone allowed for a more accurate determination of the gestational age up to day 96, this method is not yet successful in accurately determining the exact day of gestation beyond day 96 and until the end of pregnancy.

The information obtained about the gestational age allows ewes to be grouped and fed with appropriate rations for pregnancy.The aims of this study are to evaluate the relationship between placentome diameter (PD), placentome blood flow pixel area (PBFPA) and progesterone (P4) concentrations during pregnancy and to determine which parameter/s is/are effective in determining the gestational age better in sheep whose gestational age is unknown.In the study, 50 singleton pregnant Kivircik ewes were used.The day that the sheep mated with the ram was considered as day 0 of pregnancy.Ultrasonographic examinations and blood sample collections were done on the same day; once a week between 26-40 days, once every two weeks between 41-130 days, and once a week from day 130 of gestation until parturition.The power Doppler images of the biggest 3 placentomes were recorded.ImageJ software program was used for analysis of the area of colored pixels of placentome.The gestational day accurately determined up to 40th, 84th and 96th day of pregnancy according to the PD, PBFPA and P4 concentration, respectively.In conclusion, no relationship (except for PBFPA 40 and PD 40; P<0.05) between PD, PBFPA and P4 concentration on same time segments were detected in Kivircik ewes during pregnancy in this study.It was determined that P4 concentration measurements in sheep with unknown breeding time were the most useful parameter for determining the day of gestation, rather than PBFPA and PD, until day 96 of gestation in this study.However, while progesterone allowed for a more accurate determination of the gestational age up to day 96, this method is not yet successful in accurately determining the exact day of gestation beyond day 96 and until the end of pregnancy.

Oxytocin hormone, which is frequently used in order to hasten uterine involution process and to ensure milk ejection, is also effective in regulation of vascular tone. Doppler ultrasonography is a highly practical technique that allows the evaluation of blood flow characteristics of tissues and organs. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the hemodynamic changes of mammary artery caused by oxytocin administration in postpartum ewes. The study was conducted with 20 primiparous Kivircik ewes which lambed singleton. The ewes were randomly divided into oxytocin and control groups (n=10 for each group). A dose of 10 IU/sheep oxytocin and 1 ml/sheep saline solution were administered intramuscularly bid on the first 3 days postpartum to oxytocin and control groups, respectively. The pulsed Doppler ultrasonography is used to measure pulsatility and resistance indices (PI and RI, respectively) of external pudendal artery. Although oxytocin group tended to have relatively higher PI and RI values, significant differences were detected only in PI values of the first and second days postpartum (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively) between groups. It has been concluded that oxytocin administration increased the resistance of mammary artery in early postpartum ewes.

Background: Several studies consisted of postmortem evaluations and B-mode ultrasonography have been performed on ovine uterine involution. However, researches with Doppler ultrasonography are very limited in ewes. Doppler ultrasonography is a non-invasive method which provides information about vascular dynamics of the tissues which cannot be examined by B-mode ultrasonography. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of two different PGF2α doses on uterine measurements by real time B-mode ultrasonography; and on uterine artery hemodynamics by pulsed-wave Doppler analysis during postpartum uterine involution in ewes.Materials, Methods & Results: The study was conducted with 30 primiparous Kiwircik ewes which lambed singleton without any complication. The ewes were randomly divided into three groups (n= 10 for each group). A single i.m. injection of 125 μg/sheep PGF2α, 75 μg/sheep PGF2α, and 1.0 mL/sheep sterile saline solution were administered to Group 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The day of parturition was considered as the first day of the study. Examinations were performed on days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Diameters of previously gravid horn and caruncles were measured by real time B-mod ultrasonography. Presence of lochia was also noted. Uterine artery pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D) values were measured by pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography. The one-way analysis of variance and Duncan’s test were used for statistical analysis. The mean previously gravid horn diameters of ewes were 8.30 ± 0.16 cm and 1.53 ± 0.07 cm on day 1 and day 28, respectively. Previously gravid horn and caruncle diameters had a similar declining pattern in all groups as involution period proceeded. Involution was mostly completed by day 21. More than 50% reduction in uterine size was achieved in prostaglandin administered groups by day 7. Caruncles were not able to be identified after the second week postpartum. Lochia was observed for a longer period in control group. Uterine artery PI and RI showed fluctuations throughout involution period with a similar pattern among groups. S/D values progressively increased until day 14, then showed a decreasing pattern.Discussion: The effects of different PGF2α doses on uterine measurements and uterine artery hemodynamics during postpartum period were compared in ewes for the first time. The uterine size reduction in prostaglandin administered groups suggested that both PGF2α doses were effective in uterine involution. The last observation of lochia in uterine cavity were achieved by day 7 in prostaglandin administered groups, suggesting both PGF2α doses trigger uterine contractions which lead to the removal of uterine content. Automatic measurements by Doppler device were taken in order to provide uniformity and to prevent operator-based bias. The significantly higher uterine artery PI value found in Group 1 on day 1 might suggest the stimulatory effect of PGF2α administration on uterine contractility synergitically with already released endogenous PGF2α. Uterine artery PI and RI showed fluctuations throughout involution period and reached their peak values on day 14. The increasing S/D values up to day 14 indicated increasing diastolic flow, increasing resistance and decreasing blood perfusion in prostaglandin administered groups. Prostaglandin administered groups tended to show higher hemodynamic parameters throughout the study which suggested a vasoconstrictor effect of PGF2α. In conclusion, PGF2α administration on the day of parturition might have constrictor effects both on uterine artery and myometrium which leads to a reduction in uterine blood flow and a rapid decline in uterine size especially during early puerperium even with a reduced dose.

Doppler ultrasonography (D-USG) is a non-invasive technique that has become an increasingly essential tool in veterinary theriogenology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of Doppler indices in the foetal aorta (FA), foetal vena cava (FVC), umbilical artery (UA), and uteroplacental artery (UPA) in pregnant queens, thereby advancing knowledge about Doppler findings in normal feline pregnancy. The study was conducted with 10 pregnant queens with known gestational age. Doppler ultrasonography was performed every three days beginning from the 21st day to the 60th day of pregnancy. The pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of FA, FVC, UA and UPA were recorded during the D-USG examinations. Although a declining trend was seen in the mean RI of FA, a comparison with earlier sampling periods revealed that significant decreases (P < 0.05) did not occur until Days 30 and 60. While PI of FVC was relatively constant, RI varied througout pregnancy. The PI and RI of UPA values were significantly lower (P < 0.05) on Day 60 when compared to the first five sampling periods for PI and the first six sampling periods for RI. The study concludes that the decrease in UA indices is a precursor for delivery time in queens. However, there is a need for further comparative studies involving impaired pregnancies.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a homodimeric glycoprotin secreted by granulosa cells in postnatal females. AMH plays an important role in follicle recruitment. The aim of the study was to analyse AMH concentrations under the guidance of circulating estradiol and progesterone levels in mares. The study was conducted on 25 non-lactating mares with regular estrous cycles. Blood samples were collected during estrus and diestrus to analyse estradiol, progesterone and AMH concentrations. Estradiol and progesterone concentrations were significantly different (P < 0.001) between estrus and diestrus. AMH concentrations in estrus were significantly higher than those in diestrus (P < 0.05). According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report to suggest that the sexual cycle stage affects AMH concentrations in mares. Further investigations are needed to reveal factors affecting the AMH production and secretion pattern throughout the sexual cycle.

The intramammary administration of platelet concentrate is expected to treat subclinical mastitis and prevent disease recurrence effectively; therefore, it was aimed to evaluate its efficacy in terms of somatic cell count (SCC) and Milk Amyloid A (MAA) measurements. A total of 120 cow mammary lobes with subclinical mastitis were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: Antibiotic Group (ABG, n=40), Platelet Concentrate Group (PCG, n=40) or Combined Group (CG, n=40). Platelet concentrates were prepared by the double centrifugation method from blood collected from donor cows. All groups received intramammary treatments for 3 days. Analysis of MAA using a commercially available ELISA method and measurement of SCC were performed from milk samples collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. Treatment success and absence of recurrence were found to be statistically significant for all three treatment protocols (P<0.001). It is concluded that intramammary platelet concentrate administration can be an effective alternative to intramammary antibiotic use for the treatment of subclinical mastitis.

The aim of the study was to measure the area of coloured pixels captured in power Doppler examination of corpus luteum (CL) by a computer-assisted image analysis software and to evaluate the efficiency of the semiquantitative assessment of CL in early pregnancy diagnosis in sheep. Assessment of luteal vascularity was carried out on 30 Kivircik ewes with power Doppler ultrasonography daily from Day 12 to Day 19 post breeding. The mean area of coloured pixels of CL with pregnancy was found significantly higher than the area of coloured pixels of CL undergoing luteolysis (0.38 ± 0.012 mm2 and 0.31 ± 0.017 mm2, respectively, P < 0.001). Assessment of day-based examination showed a significant difference between the area of coloured pixels of CL with continuing pregnancy and luteolysis on Day 17 (P < 0.05), which was followed by Days 18 and 19 (P < 0.001). It is concluded that pregnancy diagnosis can be done accurately by semiquantitative assessment of luteal vascularization as early as 17 days post breeding in ewes. According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report on the efficacy of semiquantitative assessment of ovine CL in early pregnancy diagnosis.

The potential relationships between Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) concentrations and fertility were investigated by examining pregnancy rates and early pregnancy loss in different age groups of cows. Holstein heifers (17.35 ± 1.35 months, n = 20), young cows (3.25 ± 1.02 years, n = 20), and old cows (6.7 ± 0.80 years, n = 20) were synchronised and time fixed inseminated. A single blood sample per animal was taken during oestrus just before artificial insemination (AI), (Day 0) for the AMH analysis. The highest plasma AMH concentrations were determined in the heifer group (149.01 ± 12.62 pg/ml, P < 0.001) in the study. The AMH concentrations and conception rates decreased with age. The Day-0-AMH concentrations were higher in the pregnant animals at Day 20 after AI than in the non-pregnant animals (P < 0.05) in each group. The mean Day-0-AMH concentrations in the pregnant animals at Day 60 after AI was higher (P < 0.001) than the AMH concentrations in those with a detected pregnancy loss between D20 and D60, and also in those with a pregnancy loss and not being pregnant by Day 20 considered together. When each group was assessed on its own, based on the pregnancy results of Day 60, the Day-0-AMH concentrations were found to be significantly higher in the pregnant heifers than in the non-pregnant heifers and heifers with a pregnancy loss (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the AMH analysis might provide valuable information on the reproductive efficiency of the animals in a herd.