Induction of Ovulation with GnRH and PGF2α at Two Different Stages During the Early Postpartum Period in Dairy Cows: Ovarian Response and Changes in Hormone Concentrations

The aim of this study was to evaluate the glucogenic property of glycerol supplementation in the dairy cow’s diet. Sixty primiparous cows (control, n=30, and glycerol supplemented, n=30) were used to measure milk yield and components, blood hormone and metabolite profiles, and body condition score. Feed intake and apparent total-tract digestibility were also measured using 10 primiparous cows (control, n=5, and glycerol supplemented, n=5). Dry glycerol was top dressed at 250 g/day/cow from parturition to 21 days postpartum. Average feed intake, milk yield and components were not affected by glycerol supplementation. Apparent total–tract digestibility of organic matter and neutral detergent fibre were not influenced by dry glycerol supplementation, but lipid digestibility was greater (p=0.01) in cows fed glycerol. The serum concentration of glucose and insulin tended to be higher in dry glycerol-supplemented cows (p=0.1; p=0.06, respectively). While, serum concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate were not affected. Supplemented cows had lower body condition loss during weeks 1 to 5 after calving (p=0.09). The glucogenic effect of glycerol did not affect milk yield during the first 3 weeks of lactation. However, daily milk yield during the 13 weeks recording period was higher in the glycerol-supplemented cows (28.5 vs. 30.3 kg, p<0.001). Percentages of cows cycling at the planned breeding date was greater (p=0.01) for cows fed dry glycerol. The results demonstrated that feeding dry glycerol as a glucogenic supply could be useful in saving body reserves and improving energy balance of primiparous Holstein dairy cows during the early postpartum period.

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Negative energy balance and hepatic gene expression patterns in high-yielding dairy cows during the early postpartum period: a global approach

Physiological Genomics ◽

10.1152/physiolgenomics.00118.2010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 42A (3) ◽

pp. 188-199 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

S. D. McCarthy ◽

S. M. Waters ◽

D. A. Kenny ◽

M. G. Diskin ◽

R. Fitzpatrick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Cell Cycle ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Postpartum Period ◽

Gene Networks ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Hepatic Gene Expression ◽

Early Postpartum Period ◽

Early Postpartum

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.

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Prostaglandin synchronization during the early postpartum period in the reproductive performance in high producing dairy cows

10.7764/rcia.v28i1.431 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 7-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

F. González ◽

◽

F. Bas ◽

N. Cáceres ◽

E. Rahaussen

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Postpartum Period ◽

Early Postpartum Period ◽

Early Postpartum

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Metabolic and Ruminal Fluid Markers of Dairy Cows Supplemented with a Combination of Yeast Culture and Hydrolyzed Yeast

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae ◽

10.22456/1679-9216.80499 ◽

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 ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Balance ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Postpartum Period ◽

Transition Period ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Negative Energy Balance ◽

Yeast Culture ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Early Postpartum Period ◽

Early Postpartum

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.

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