Consequences for reproductive function of metabolic adaption to load

1999 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 99-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Webb ◽  
P. C. Garnsworthy ◽  
J. G. Gong ◽  
R. S. Robinson ◽  
D. C. Wathes
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Direct Effect ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Follicular Growth ◽  
Embryo Survival

AbstractAn effective method for enhancing milk production efficiency in dairy cows is to increase milk yield and significant progress has been achieved through intense selection, assisted by the application of new reproductive techniques. However this increased milk yield has been accompanied by a slow but steady decline in dairy cow fertility. The two main reasons for this reducing level of fertility appear to be selection for increased milk yield and large herd sizes, although the affect of the introduction of Holstein genes needs to be investigated. In addition, other negative consequences such as an increase in the incidence of metabolic diseases and lameness have been observed. This has given rise to public concern that the high-yielding dairy cow may be under a state of metabolic stress during peak lactation and therefore the welfare and performance of other body functions are compromised.The reason for this decline in fertility is not well understood, although a nutritional influence on the initiation of oestrous cycles, follicular growth, oocyte quality and early embryonic development has been implicated. In early lactation dietary intake is unable to meet the demands of milk production and most cows enter a period of negative energy balance. Negative energy balance has a broadly similar effect to undernutrition leading to a mobilization of body reserves. Furthermore diets high in rumen degradable protein lead to an excess of rumen ammonia, which before it is converted to urea by the liver and excreted in the urine, may cause an alteration in the reproductive tract environment reducing embryo survival. Such major changes in the metabolic and endocrine systems can therefore influence fertility at a number of key points.Possible reproductive sites where inadequate nutrition may have detrimental effects include: (i) the hypothalamic/pituitary gland where gonadotropin release may be impaired; (ii) a direct effect on the ovaries, where both follicular growth patterns and corpus luteum function may be directly influenced; (iii) the quality of the oocyte prior to ovulation may be reduced and coupled with an inadequate uterine environment will result in reduced embryo survival and (iv) there may be effects on subsequent embryo development. The initiation of normal oestrous cycles post partum is usually delayed in dairy cows with a higher genetic merit for milk production, confirming that intense selection towards high milk yield can compromise reproductive function. In addition, the effects of increased milk yield may include changes in circulating GH and insulin concentrations, which in turn alter both insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and IGF binding protein production. Nutrition has recently been shown to have a direct effect at the level of both the ovaries and the uterus to alter the expression of these growth factors.In conclusion, further knowledge is required to determine how the metabolic changes associated with high milk output reduce fertility. Identification and understanding of the mechanisms involved and the key sites of action responsible for compromised reproductive function, will enable the identification of possible indices for future multiple-trait selection programmes.

scholarly journals Seasonal effect of milk yield and blood metabolites in relation to ketosis of dairy cows fed under a high ambient temperature

2021 ◽  
pp. 2392-2396
Author(s):  
Sumpun Thammacharoen ◽  
Sapon Semsirmboon ◽  
Somchai Chanpongsang ◽  
Narongsak Chaiyabutr ◽  
Pawares Panyasomboonying ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
High Ambient Temperature ◽  
Seasonal Effect ◽  
Tropical Conditions

Background and Aim: Metabolism and environment are closely related. Under high ambient temperature (HTa), dairy cows may have different energy metabolism during summer and winter. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of HTa on the milk yield and blood concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and glucose at the herd level. Materials and Methods: One large dairy farm in Thailand with more than 100 crossbred Holstein cows milked each month was selected. The first experiment was performed on non-lactating cows to determine the normal daily concentrations of blood BHBA and glucose. Under the HTa condition, there was no significant change in blood BHBA and glucose concentrations. The second experiment was performed using a prospective cohort clinical design to demonstrate the seasonal effect on milk yield and blood BHBA as an indication of energy metabolism at the herd level. Results: The temperature and humidity index for the winter (78.1±0.5) and summer (83.4±0.7) periods differ significantly. The average milk yield during the winter period was 17.8% higher than during the summer period. The reduction of body condition score (BCS) during early lactation was significant in the winter cows. Both higher milk yield and lower BCS in the winter cows suggested a state of negative energy balance. However, there was no difference in blood BHBA and glucose concentrations between winter and summer cows. The effect of HTa on insulin signaling appeared to be a counterbalancing factor for the ketogenic status. Based on the present results, it would be interesting to further investigate the incidence of subclinical and clinical ketosis in a dairy farm under tropical conditions. Conclusion: The present experiment revealed that HTa during summer decreased milk yield in dairy cows fed under tropical conditions. Higher milk yield in winter caused a greater reduction of BCS and suggested a greater negative energy balance. However, there was no seasonal effect on blood BHBA and glucose concentrations.

Differences in the behaviour of high and low yielding dairy cows selected by genetic merit

2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 220-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D. Cooper ◽  
D. R. Arney ◽  
C. J. C. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
High Nutrient

The effects of high milk yields on the behaviour and welfare of the dairy cow are unclear. A high milk yield increases the need to consume sufficient fodder in an attempt to meet high nutrient demands. The failure to meet the demands may result in persistent hunger in the dairy cow having to modify her behaviour by employing various coping strategies. These modifications may help the cow overcome a state of hunger but at the expense of being unable to express other important behaviours. The objective of this study was therefore to determine whether the behaviour and welfare of the genetically high yielding dairy cow is being compromised by the increased nutritional demands of milk production, and to investigate the possibility that an increased amount of time spent in food-directed behaviours may have a detrimental effect on the time available to perform other important behaviours.

Physiological and genetic differences between low and high index dairy cows

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. Lucy ◽  
B. A. Crooker
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
High Index ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Days Open

AbstractSelection of dairy cattle for increased milk production has decreased some indices of reproductive efficiency. For example, days open are increased by one day for every 100 kg of increased milk yield per lactation. Some of the change in days open can be explained by delayed onset of oestrous cyclicity and lower conception rate to artificial insemination in cows with greater milk production. Despite these negative associations between milk production and reproduction, reproduction in herds of high producing dairy cattle is not necessarily compromised relative to reproduction in herds of low producing dairy cattle. This is because there is a large environmental effect on dairy reproduction. High producing herds generally have better management and better oestrous detection. Therefore, high producing dairy herds may partially overcome the antagonistic relationship between milk production and reproduction. Physiological mechanisms that lead to poorer reproduction in high producing cows are partially defined. Negative energy balance that occurs in high producing dairy cows can be associated with a delay in the initiation of ovarian cycles and the interval to first breeding. Many of the effects of negative energy balance on postpartum reproduction can be explained by decreased serum luteinizing hormone (LH) that is associated with negative energy balance. Serum LH increases as cows move toward positive energy balance and greater LH stimulates growth and ovulation of ovarian follicles. We have initiated studies to address physiological differences in high and low index dairy cows. The reproductive endocrinology of cows from a control line (5,900 kg milk/lactation) and a select line (10,900 kg milk/lactation) of dairy cows at the University of Minnesota was studied over a two-year period. Cows in Year 1 were similar for serum concentrations of LH, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and oestradiol (preovulatory period). In both years, serum concentrations of progesterone during luteal phases, however, were decreased in select cows. The Year 2 cows also had a delay in the return to oestrous cyclicity that was associated with reduced LH. The possibility that decreased progesterone causes infertility in dairy cows will require further study. Collectively, these data suggest that changes in blood progesterone concentrations may explain, partially, lower fertility in high index dairy cows.

Nutritional effects on resumption of ovarian cyclicity and conception rate in postpartum dairy cows

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.R. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dietary Protein ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Igf I ◽  
High Dietary Protein

AbstractIncreased genetic potential for milk production has been associated with a decline in fertility of lactating cows. Following parturition the nutritional requirements increase rapidly with milk production and result in negative energy balance (NEBAL). NEBAL delays the time of first ovulation thereby affecting ovarian cycles before and during the subsequent breeding period The effects of NEBAL on reinitiation of ovulation are manifested through inhibition of LH pulse frequency and low levels of glucose, insulin and IGF-I in blood that collectively restrain oestrogen production by dominant follicles. Upregulation of LH pulses and peripheral IGF-I in association with the NEBAL nadir increases the likelihood that emerging dominant follicles will ovulate. The legacy of NEBAL is reduced fertility after insemination in conjunction with reduced serum progesterone concentrations. Diets high in crude protein support high milk yield, but may be detrimental to reproductive performance. Depending upon protein quantity and composition, serum concentrations of progesterone may be lower and the uterine luminal environment is altered. High protein intake is correlated with plasma urea concentrations that are inversely related to uterine pH and fertility. The direct effects of high dietary protein and plasma urea on embryo quality and development in cattle are inconsistent. In conclusion, the poor fertility of high producing dairy cows reflects the combined effects of a uterine environment that is dependent on progesterone, but has been rendered suboptimal for embryo development by antecedent effects of negative energy balance and may be further compromised by the effects of urea resultingfrom intake of high dietary protein.

Milk production, peripartal liver triglyceride concentration and plasma metabolites of dairy cows fed diets supplemented with calcium soaps or hydrogenated triglycerides of palm oil

2009 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland G Karcagi ◽  
Tibor Gaál ◽  
Piroska Ribiczey ◽  
Gyula Huszenicza ◽  
Ferenc Husvéth
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Liver Triglyceride

The aim of the study was to test the effect of rumen-inert fat supplements of different chemical forms or containing different unsaturated/saturated (U/S) fatty acid contents on milk production, milk composition and liver and blood metabolic variables of high-yielding dairy cows in the peripartal period. Thirty Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were divided into three equal groups and fed a corn silage-based diet, without fat supplementation (control) or supplemented with 11·75 MJ NEl per day of calcium soaps of palm oil fatty acids (CAS; U/S=61/39) or with 11·75 MJ NEl per day of hydrogenated palm oil triglyceride (HTG; U/S=6/94). Each diet was fed from 25±2 d prior to the expected calving to 100±5 d post partum. Compared with the control, both CAS and HTG supplementation resulted in an increase of the average milk yield. Milk fat content and fat-corrected milk yield were higher in the HTG group but lower in the CAS group than in the control group. In all groups liver triglyceride concentrations (TGL) increased from 15 d prepartum to 5 d post partum, and then decreased thereafter. At 5 d TGL was lower in the HTG group than control or CAS cows. No significant differences were detected in TGL among dietary treatments at 15 d prepartum and 25 d post partum. Higher plasma glucose and insulin and lower non-esterified fattay acids and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations and aspartate aminotransferase activity were measured in the HTG group than in the control or CAS groups at 5 d or 25 d post partum. Our results show that HTG may provide a better energy supply for high-yielding dairy cows in negative energy balance than CAS around calving.

scholarly journals Effects of Propylene Glycol on Negative Energy Balance of Postpartum Dairy Cows

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1526
Author(s):  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Xuemei Nan ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Yiguang Zhao ◽  
Yuming Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Propylene Glycol ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Ketone Bodies ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Research Progress

With the improvement in the intense genetic selection of dairy cows, advanced management strategies, and improved feed quality and disease control, milk production level has been greatly improved. However, the negative energy balance (NEB) is increasingly serious at the postpartum stage because the intake of nutrients cannot meet the demand of quickly improved milk production. The NEB leads to a large amount of body fat mobilization and consequently the elevated production of ketones, which causes metabolic diseases such as ketosis and fatty liver. The high milk production of dairy cows in early lactation aggravates NEB. The metabolic diseases lead to metabolic disorders, a decrease in reproductive performance, and lactation performance decline, seriously affecting the health and production of cows. Propylene glycol (PG) can alleviate NEB through gluconeogenesis and inhibit the synthesis of ketone bodies. In addition, PG improves milk yield, reproduction, and immune performance by improving plasma glucose and liver function in ketosis cows, and reduces milk fat percentage. However, a large dose of PG (above 500 g/d) has toxic and side effects in cows. The feeding method used was an oral drench. The combination of PG with some other additives can improve the effects in preventing ketosis. Overall, the present review summarizes the recent research progress in the impacts of NEB in dairy cows and the properties of PG in alleviating NEB and reducing the risk of ketosis.

The effects of two contrasting grassland-based milk production systems, on the performance and fertility of high genetic merit, autumn calving, dairy cows

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.P. Ferris ◽  
M.A. McCoy ◽  
S.D. Lennox ◽  
D.C. Catney ◽  
F.J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
High Feed ◽  
Feed Value

AbstractThe development of production systems, which allow increased nutrient intakes to be achieved, is a key issue in the management of high genetic merit dairy cows. Consequently, forty high genetic merit autumn calving dairy cows (PTA95fat + protein = 38.2 kg) were managed on either a ‘high forage (HF)’ or ‘high concentrate (HC)’ based system of milk production for the first 305 days of lactation, with the study encompassing both the indoor winter and outdoor summer grazing periods. System HF involved a high feed value silage, a lax grazing regime, and a low concentrate input (842 kg DM), while system HC involved a medium feed value silage, a tighter grazing regime and a higher concentrate input (2456 kg DM). Total milk outputs with each of systems HF and HC were 7854 and 8640 kg respectively (P<0.01), illustrating that high genetic merit cows can perform satisfactorily on very different inputs over a single lactation. However animals on system HF experienced a more extreme and prolonged period of negative energy balance post partum than those on system HC, and completed the winter with a significantly lower condition score. Detailed fertility records were maintained for all animals on the study. Days to first observed heat were 51.2 and 59.3 with systems HF and HC respectively, while the respective conception rates to first service were 26 and 21%. The number of services/conception were 2.22 and 2.50, while the calving interval was 390 and 404 days for systems HF and HC respectively. Despite the greater degree of negative energy balance associated with system HF, none of the fertility measures was significantly affected by system of milk production (P>0.05), although fertility with both systems was poor. There were no obvious reasons for the poor fertility noted in this trial.

The effect of dietary energy level on body condition and some blood compounds in the dairy cow

1978 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 121-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.N.J. Parker ◽  
Gwyneth Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Dietary Energy ◽  
Peak Period ◽  
Sufficient Energy

The main objective when considering dietary energy levels in the dairy cow is to achieve optimum economical milk production, not necessarily energy balance, at all stages of lactation. Some cows may attain energy balance by reducing milk yield.In the early part of lactation, while appetite is increasing, a negative energy balance is acceptable, particularly in the high-yielding cow, at the expense of body reserves. During this time and up to peak yield, maximum use must be made of the cow's feeding capacity in order to attain its full milking potential. This is important, since the peak yield considerably influences the rest of the lactation, as concluded by Broster (1972).Failure to achieve a sufficient energy intake in early lactation may be reflected in excessive weight loss as well as in reduced milk production, whereas in the post-peak period, too rapid body-weight gain may be associated with over-generous feeding.

A new cactus variety for dairy cows in areas infested with Dactylopius opuntiae

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 479 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. F. Monteiro ◽  
M. A. Ferreira ◽  
A. S. C. Véras ◽  
S. I. Guido ◽  
M. P. Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Apparent Digestibility ◽  
Microbial Protein ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fibre ◽  
Lactating Cows

Spineless cactus is an important part of dairy cow diet in the semiarid Brazilia. Severe infestation of cochineal (Dactylopius opuntiae Cockerell) destroyed a vast area of the most common species of cactus planted in the region; Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. resistant varieties with superior agronomic performance were recently selected, but they still need to be tested with dairy cows. We evaluated the use of a resistant variety, ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ (OEM, Opuntia spp.), in dairy cow diet. We tested its effect on intake, nutrient digestibility, microbial protein, blood parameters and performance of lactating cows. Ten cows with an average milk yield of 20 kg/day were assigned to an experiment using a double 5 × 5 Latin square design. The experimental diets consisted of five replacement levels of Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck cv. (‘Miúda’) by ‘OEM’ (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) on a dry-matter (DM) basis) and were formulated considering the ingredient composition. The roughage:concentrate ratio was 70:30 on a DM basis. The replacement of ‘Miúda’ by OEM did not change the intake (kg/day) of DM (18.0), organic matter (16.3), crude protein (CP, 2.8), total digestible nutrients (11.6), non-fibre carbohydrates (7.6) and neutral detergent fibre (5.7), or the apparent digestibility (g/kg) of DM (655), organic matter (694), CP (739) and non-fibre carbohydrates (950), whereas apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fibre increased linearly. Microbial protein production (1.5 g/day), microbial protein efficiency (129.2 g CP/kg total digestible nutrients), plasma urea nitrogen (21.4 mg/dL), nitrogen balance (123 g/day), feed efficiency (1.1), nitrogen efficiency (0.2), milk production (20.0 kg/day), fat-corrected milk production (20.1 kg/day) and milk composition were not influenced by the replacement. Therefore, we recommend the use of OEM in the diet of lactating cows with an average milk yield of 20 kg/day.

PSXIV-15 The effects of body condition score on the milk production and energy balance of transition dairy cows

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 472-472
Author(s):  
YangYi Hao
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Rumen Ph ◽  
Transition Dairy Cows ◽  
Condition Score

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effects of body condition score (BCS) on the milk production and energy balance of transition dairy cows. Seventy-five multiparous dairy cows were separated into four groups according to the BCS, HH (4.25 ± 0.23 and 3.35 ± 0.19 BCS, pre and postpartum, respectively, n = 17), HM (4.14 ± 0.15 and 2.92 ± 0.24, n = 19), MM (3.10 ± 0.21 and 2.78 ± 0.17, n = 23), ML (2.88 ± 0.23 and 2.46 ± 0.19, n = 16). The milk yield, rumen pH, etc., data were collected and analyzed using a one-way ANOVA model in SAS (SAS version 9.4, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The ML group had a higher milk yield and total solid yield than the MM group (P &lt; 0.05), while the HH and HM groups had no difference with other groups. The HM and ML groups had a higher milk fat content than the MM group (P &lt; 0.05), while the HH group had no difference with other groups. Milk protein content in the HH group was higher than the ML group (P &lt; 0.05). The milk lactose, total solids, urea content in these groups had no difference. The ML group had a higher milk acetone content than the HH group (P &lt; 0.05). The BCS change in the HH and HM groups was higher than the MM and ML groups, and that in the ML group was higher than the MM group (P &lt; 0.05). The rumen pH had no difference within these groups. These findings collectively indicated the prepartum dairy cow with middle BCS would have a more efficient body fat utilization and a better milk production performance. Furthermore, reducing body fat loss is necessary to avoid the negative energy balance.

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