TNF and endometritis: In contrast, in the present study, TNF-α concentrations were decreased during first 5 weeks, but reached precalving concentrations during Weeks 6 and 7 in normal cows and those with subclinical endometritis, respectively, whereas TNF-α was increased during the first 3 weeks postcalving and reached precalving concentrations during Weeks 4, 5 and 6 in cows with metritis.