Metabolic characteristics associated with normal or abnormal progesterone profiles during the postpartum period of dairy cows

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-334
Author(s):  
P.G.A. Pushpakumara ◽  
N.H. Gardner ◽  
C.K. Reynolds ◽  
D.E. Beever ◽  
D.C. Wathes

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that 35 — 40 % ofmodern dairy cows experience ovarian disturbances during early lactation. Even though negative energy balance (NEB) has been implicated as a regulator of ovarian function, the exact metabolite(s) or hormone(s), which mediate this effect is still not clear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between blood metabolites (NEFA, BHB and glucose) and plasma insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and ovarian dysfunction. Thirty three Holstein-Friesian cows were fed a lactational ration ad libtium and were inseminated at observed oestrus starting from 56 days post calving. Three times weekly milk samples and weekly blood samples were collected from cows from calving until confirmed pregnant. Cows were placed into “NORMAL” or “ABNORMAL” categories of ovarian activity based on their milk progesterone profiles. The days to first service were 71 ± 2 in “NORMAL” and 78 ± 6 in “ABNORMAL” animals. The calving to conception interval (days open) was shorter in the “NORMAL “ than the “ABNORMAL” group (90 ± 8.7 vs 119 ± 15.2 days). IGF-I levels were significantly lower in the “ABNORMAL” group from 2 until 7 weeks after calving (P<0.02) and NEFA concentrations were higher in the “ABNORMAL” cows in the early postpartum period (P<0.03). There was no significant difference in either plasma BHB or glucose. This study confirms that elevated plasma NEFA concentrations are associated with “ABNORMAL” ovarian activity. The most significant difference was in plasma IGF-I concentrations, which stayed lower for nearly 2 months in the “ABNORMAL” animals.

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. 215-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.R. Mackey ◽  
A.R.G. Wylie ◽  
J.F. Roche ◽  
J.M. Sreenan ◽  
M.G. Diskin

Severe negative energy balance (NEB) in the postpartum period of dairy cows may be associated with declining fertility but the mechanisms by which nutrition influences reproduction are complex, poorly understood and confounded by lactation. Hence, both chronic and acute nutritional restriction of beef heifers have been used as models to examine the effects of NEB on ovarian and endocrine responses in the absence of lactation. Plasma IGF-I concentrations gradually decreased until the onset of anoestrus (Stagg et al., 1999) but concentrations may be confounded with stage of the oestrous cycle, especially around ovulation (Mackey et al., 2000). Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of nutritional restriction on periovulatory oestradiol (E2) and IGF-I concentrations.


2010 ◽  
Vol 42A (3) ◽  
pp. 188-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. D. McCarthy ◽  
S. M. Waters ◽  
D. A. Kenny ◽  
M. G. Diskin ◽  
R. Fitzpatrick ◽  
...  

In high-yielding dairy cows the liver undergoes extensive physiological and biochemical changes during the early postpartum period in an effort to re-establish metabolic homeostasis and to counteract the adverse effects of negative energy balance (NEB). These adaptations are likely to be mediated by significant alterations in hepatic gene expression. To gain new insights into these events an energy balance model was created using differential feeding and milking regimes to produce two groups of cows with either a mild (MNEB) or severe NEB (SNEB) status. Cows were slaughtered and liver tissues collected on days 6–7 of the first follicular wave postpartum. Using an Affymetrix 23k oligonucleotide bovine array to determine global gene expression in hepatic tissue of these cows, we found a total of 416 genes (189 up- and 227 downregulated) to be altered by SNEB. Network analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that SNEB was associated with widespread changes in gene expression classified into 36 gene networks including those associated with lipid metabolism, connective tissue development and function, cell signaling, cell cycle, and metabolic diseases, the three most significant of which are discussed in detail. SNEB cows displayed reduced expression of transcription activators and signal transducers that regulate the expression of genes and gene networks associated with cell signaling and tissue repair. These alterations are linked with increased expression of abnormal cell cycle and cellular proliferation associated pathways. This study provides new information and insights on the effect of SNEB on gene expression in high-yielding Holstein Friesian dairy cows in the early postpartum period.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Tatiele Mumbach ◽  
Raquel Fraga e Silva Raimondo ◽  
Claudia Faccio Demarco ◽  
Vanessa Oliveira Freitas ◽  
Rodrigo Chaves Barcellos Grazziotin ◽  
...  

Background: In order to reduce the effects of a negative energy balance, some measures have been taken into account in nutritional management during the transition period. The use of yeast, has been a good alternative used to improve the rumen metabolism and helping the adjustment of the microbiotato the new diet. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing a combination of yeast culture and hydrolyzed yeast on the metabolism of dairy cows during the transition period.Materials, Methods & Results: The experiment was conducted in a semi-extensive system, using 20 Holstein cows, divided equally into a control group (CG) and a supplemented group (SG). The SG received 28 g/animal/day of a combination of yeast culture and hydrolyzed yeast from 20 ± 2 days pre-calving until early lactation (18 ± 3 days). Serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), albumin and urea were determined at calving, and for three time points during the early postpartum period and three time points during the early lactation period. Regarding energy metabolism, prepartum concentrations of NEFA were higher than the physiological standard in both groups. However, NEFA, albumin and urea decreased during the early postpartum period in the supplemented animals and could be attributed to the yeast in enhancing ruminal microorganisms’ cellulolytic capacity, increasing fibre digestibility and starch utilization.Discussion: The increased concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) due to the mobilization of fat deposits that happens in the transition period, especially in the postpartum period reflects the cow’s adaptation to the negative energy balance (NEB). The lower concentrations of NEFA observed in the present study could be attributed to the effect of the yeast in enhancing the ruminal microorganisms’ cellulolytic capacity. The control cows had a BCS within the recommended range while the supplemented group had it close to the minimal limit proposed for this period. Thus, supplemented cows lost less BCS during the early postpartum period, had a lower BCS loss during the experimental period and had lower NEFA concentration that the CG. It was possible to observe a difference in serum albumin and urea between treatments only in the postpartum period. Besides showing no significant effect in BCS on prepartum period, control cows had a BCS within the recommended range while the supplemented group had it close to the minimal limit proposed for this period. Cows with high BCS prepartum had higher plasma NEFA before and after calving. It can be observed in the present study in both groups. However, a positive effect in prevent subclinical disorders might be attributed to YC, since the SG showed low NEFA plasma levels compared to the CG.  Thus, supplemented cows lost less BCS during the early postpartum period, had a lower BCS loss during the experimental period and had lower NEFA concentration that the CG. There is a negative correlation between BCS and NEFA in the early postpartum period and this information explains the results observed in the present study where BCS declines in the SG are followed by a NEFA increase. This is not so marked in the CG, indicating that SG supplementation can act by improving digestibility. Yeast supplementation promotes higher output energy, enhancing postpartum performance in dairy cows. Yeast supplementation showed benefits in early lactation compared to the prepartum and early postpartum periods, suggesting that supplementation has to have an adaptation period to be effective in protein synthesis. In conclusion, supplementation with a combination of yeast culture and hydrolyzed yeast to cows during the transition period can positively influence the energy and protein metabolism, reducing the collateral effects of negative energy balance.


2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 497-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Faigl ◽  
Mónika Keresztes ◽  
Alíz Márton ◽  
Hedvig Fébel ◽  
Margit Kulcsár ◽  
...  

Seasonal differences in the resumption of postpartum ovarian activity, milk production and periparturient metabolic status were investigated in lactating non-suckling dairy Awassi sheep in two consecutive experiments. In Experiment 1, autumn-lambing (AL, n = 27) and spring-lambing (SL, n = 37) ewes were investigated. Ovarian activity was monitored by means of individual progesterone (P4) profiles from day 5 to day 100 post partum. Most of the AL dams (89%) ovulated till day 35 after parturition and became cyclic thereafter. Incidence of persistent corpus luteum (CLP) and short luteal phases (sCL) was frequent (18% and 29%, respectively) among non-conceiving dams. In contrast, only 24% of the SL ewes ovulated before day 35. P4 levels during the luteal phase were lower in cyclic animals, and the cycle was longer in SL than in AL animals. No CLP or sCL was detected in the spring-lambing group, and 61% of SL ewes remained acyclic till the end of the trial. Lactation length was significantly longer in SL dams than in AL ewes (P = 0.008). According to the plasma metabolites (BHB, NEFA) and metabolic hormones (insulin, IGF-I, thyroxine) examined, negative energy balance did not appear in any of the animals. However, seasonal differences were seen in IGF-I and thyroxine levels, which were higher in the SL dams. In Experiment 2, influence of additional lighting was studied in autumn-lambing ewes. The long-day photoperiod (LD, n = 23) group was exposed to artificial light from sunset till midnight (approx. 16 h light/8 h dark) from some weeks before the expected date of delivery in mid-September until the end of December. The control group (n = 25) experienced only natural daylength. The first postpartum ovulation tended to occur later in the LD animals than in the controls (P = 0.047). The lactation of the LD group tended to be longer (P = 0.061). NEFA, BHB, insulin, IGF-I and thyroxine levels did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: (i) The ovarian function of the Awassi population is seasonal under temperate continental climate conditions. (ii) The first postpartum ovulation of non-suckling, autumn-lambing dams may occur very early, even before the completion of uterine involution. (iii) Additional artificial lighting may delay the time of first postpartum ovulation in AL ewes. (iv) Postpartum negative energy balance is unlikely to occur in dairy Awassi ewes even in high-producing intensive systems.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Schwegler ◽  
Augusto Schneider ◽  
Ana Rita Tavares Krause ◽  
Paula Montagner ◽  
Eduardo Schmitt ◽  
...  

 Background: Bovine mastitis causes major economic losses for milk producers by reducing the quantity and the quality of the milk or even leading to the complete loss of the mammary gland secretory capacity. During the transition period, dairy cows are susceptible to infectious diseases; therefore, markers that allow early identification of cows in higher risk of developing diseases are especially useful at this time. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate serum markers in the pre and postpartum of multiparous dairy cows with clinical mastitis and with health condition in the postpartum period in a semi-extensive management system.Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty-Six Holstein cows were monitored daily during milking until 59 days postpartum and were categorized according to the pre-milking strip cup test into clinical mastitis (mastitis group (MG)) and absence of symptoms (control group (CG)) that were negative to the test, representing the health cows. All cows were reared as one group and maintained in a semi-extensive pasture-based system. Blood samples were collected weekly after morning milking via venipuncture of the coccinea vein into tubes without anticoagulant and grouped for prepartum (-21 to 0 days from calving), early postpartum (0 to 30 days from calving), and late postpartum (30 to 59 days from calving) periods. Milk production was recorded daily. The serum markers albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), phosphorus, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS®. The cases of clinical mastitis occurred on average at 37.2 ± 4.9 days postpartum. Health cows (CG) had higher milk production compared to the mastitis group (MG) only in the late postpartum period (P < 0.05). There was no difference among groups for albumin and NEFA concentrations in all periods evaluated (P > 0.05). In the early postpartum period the AST activity was higher in CG than in MG (P = 0.02). The GGT enzyme tended to be more concentrated in the CG than in the MG during the early (P = 0.06) and late (P = 0.08) postpartum periods. Late postpartum phosphorus concentration was lower for MG than CG (P = 0.04). In the prepartum and early postpartum periods, there was no difference among groups for phosphorus concentration (P > 0.05).Discussion: A decrease in milk production in MG compared to CG observed in late postpartum period was due to the inci­dence of mastitis observed around 37 days postpartum. Cows that presented clinical mastitis in the postpartum period did not differ in the blood concentration of NEFA in the prepartum period. In the late postpartum period higher concentration of phosphorus was observed in the CG than in MG, indicating that animals affected by mastitis may be in the weakest energy status. Regarding liver health, the concentration of AST was higher in the recent postpartum period for CG, in disagree­ment with previous studies that related AST to tissue injury caused by mastitis. The GGT enzyme tended to had higher concentrations in CG than MG during the whole postpartum period and may be related to increased hepatic metabolism due to higher production. There were no changes in albumin levels among healthy and mastitis cows, indicating that this marker can not be used to predict clinical mastitis. There were no metabolic alterations in the prepartum period related to the occurrence of postpartum mastitis in multiparous cows in a semi-extensive management system.Keywords: AST, dairy cows, NEFA.


2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gy. Huszenicza ◽  
M. Kulcsar ◽  
J. A. Nikolic ◽  
J. Schmidt ◽  
P. Korodi ◽  
...  

AbstractThe postpartum changes in plasma leptin levels of dairy cows ovulated within 35 days after calving were compared to of those with delayed onset of cyclicity in two experiments. The cows were sampled for leptin, insulin, IGF-1, thyroid hormones (T4, T3, rT3), Cortisol and also for some metabolites (glucose, NEFA, BHB and TCH) on day 1-3 after calving and again four times 7 days apart (Exp. 1), or in weeks 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 postpartum (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1 also the standard low dose ACTH-induced Cortisol response and TRH-stimulated T4/T3 responses were determined on days 1-3 and 28-35. In cows of Exp. 1 the leptin level varied within a wide range with a mean of about 4 ng/ml HE in the first samples. Up to week 5 it remained unchanged in cows ovulated within day 35 but reduced in those with delayed onset of cyclicity, resulting in significant difference between the two group means.In cows of Exp. 2 the week 1 leptin levels were lower and less variable than that of Exp. 1. In weeks 2 and 3 a slightly increasing tendency of leptin pattern was seen in cows resuming their ovarian cyclicity within 35 days whereas in those with delayed onset of cyclicity the leptin level remained unchanged. Up to week 5 this tendency resulted in exactly the same leptin values as seen in Exp. 1 with significant differences between the group means in both of the weeks 5 and 10. It was concluded that the plasma leptin concentration in postpartum dairy cows may interfere with resumption of cyclic ovarian function, but its influence may be only permissive (e.g. a minimal concentration above a supposed threshold seems to be the prerequisite of the onset of cyclicity)


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 689-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behrooz Mihandoost ◽  
Asghar Mogheiseh ◽  
Saeed Nazifi ◽  
Mohammad Rahim Ahmadi ◽  
Maryam Ansari-Lari

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