scholarly journals Intraday variation of metabolic key indicators in serum of dairy cows between week 2 antepartum and week 12 postpartum

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 343-350
Author(s):  
S. Wiedemann ◽  
K. Horstmann ◽  
M. Piechotta ◽  
U. Meyer ◽  
G. Flachowsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Interindividual Variation ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Beta Hydroxybutyrate ◽  
Key Indicators ◽  
The Impact

Metabolic diseases during early lactation in dairy cows can be routinely diagnosed assessing key indicators in blood. The objectives of the present study were to characterize the impact of interindividual along with intraday variation on specific metabolites and to investigate the effect of the sampling time point relative to calving. Serum samples of four high-yielding, clinically healthy, multiparous dairy cows (body weight 589 ± 27 kg) were obtained in 3-h intervals during 24-h intervals throughout the transition period and early lactation (week –2 antepartum (ap), weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 12 postpartum (pp)). The lowest intraday variation (less than 15%) as indicated by relative coefficients of variation (CV) was found for glucose, cholesterol, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Intraday variation characterized by a CV between 15 and 30% was typical of urea, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total bilirubin, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). The highest intraday variation (CV > 30%) was assessed for insulin. Week relative to calving had significant influence on interindividual means of BHB, NEFA, insulin, and cholesterol in blood, but did not affect the interindividual variation of all parameters investigated. No significant intraday variation patterns were found. It is concluded that the considerable intraday variation of especially BHB and NEFA has to be taken into account in herd health monitoring for estimating the proportional outcome in respect to animals exceeding thresholds for specific metabolic key parameters.  

scholarly journals The Transition Period Updated: A Review of the New Insights into the Adaptation of Dairy Cows to the New Lactation

Dairy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-636
Author(s):  
Matteo Mezzetti ◽  
Luca Cattaneo ◽  
Matilde Maria Passamonti ◽  
Vincenzo Lopreiato ◽  
Andrea Minuti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Immune Dysfunctions

Recent research on the transition period (TP) of dairy cows has highlighted the pivotal role of immune function in affecting the severity of metabolic challenges the animals face when approaching calving. This suggests that the immune system may play a role in the etiology of metabolic diseases occurring in early lactation. Several studies have indicated that the roots of immune dysfunctions could sink way before the “classical” TP (e.g., 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after calving), extending the time frame deemed as “risky” for the development of early lactation disorders at the period around the dry-off. Several distressing events occurring during the TP (i.e., dietary changes, heat stress) can boost the severity of pre-existing immune dysfunctions and metabolic changes that physiologically affect this phase of the lactation cycle, further increasing the likelihood of developing diseases. Based on this background, several operational and nutritional strategies could be adopted to minimize the detrimental effects of immune dysfunctions on the adaptation of dairy cows to the new lactation. A suitable environment (i.e., optimal welfare) and a balanced diet (which guarantees optimal nutrient partitioning to improve immune functions in cow and calf) are key aspects to consider when aiming to minimize TP challenges at the herd level. Furthermore, several prognostic behavioral and physiological indicators could help in identifying subjects that are more likely to undergo a “bad transition”, allowing prompt intervention through specific modulatory treatments. Recent genomic advances in understanding the linkage between metabolic disorders and the genotype of dairy cows suggest that genetic breeding programs aimed at improving dairy cows’ adaptation to the new lactation challenges (i.e., through increasing immune system efficiency or resilience against metabolic disorders) could be expected in the future. Despite these encouraging steps forward in understanding the physiological mechanisms driving metabolic responses of dairy cows during their transition to calving, it is evident that these processes still require further investigation, and that the TP—likely extended from dry-off—continues to be “the final frontier” for research in dairy sciences.

scholarly journals Monitoring the Transition Period in Dairy Cows through 1H NMR-Based Untargeted Metabolomics

Dairy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 356-366
Author(s):  
Andrés López Radcenco ◽  
María de Lourdes Adrien ◽  
Gretel Ruprechter ◽  
Elena de Torres ◽  
Ana Meikle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
1H Nmr ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Untargeted Metabolomics ◽  
The Impact

The metabolic alterations associated with the increase in milk production make the transition period critical to the health of dairy cows, usually leading to a higher incidence of disease in periparturient animals. In this manuscript, we describe the use of NMR-based untargeted metabolomics to follow how these changes impact the serum metabolome in a group of 28 transition dairy cows with no initial clinical diseases. Principal component analysis (PCA) of serum 1H NMR data from four weeks before calving to 8 weeks after parturition allowed us to clearly identify four stages during the transition period. Pairwise comparisons using orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and univariate data analysis led to the identification of 18 metabolites that varied significantly through these stages. Species such as acetate, betaine, and creatine are observed early after calving, while other markers of metabolic stress, including acetone, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and choline, accumulate significantly at the height of milk production. Furthermore, marked variations in the levels of lactate, allantoin, alanine, and other amino acids reveal the activation of different gluconeogenic pathways following parturition. Concomitant with a return to homeostasis, a gradual normalization of the serum metabolome occurs 8 weeks after calving. Correlations of metabolite levels with dietary and metabolic adaptations based on animal parity could also be identified. Overall, these results show that NMR-based chemometric methods are ideally suited to monitor manifestations of metabolic diseases throughout the transition period and to assess the impact of nutritional management schemes on the metabolism of dairy cows.

scholarly journals Metabolic status in simmental dairy cows during transition period

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36
Author(s):  
R. Djokovic ◽  
V. Kurcubic ◽  
Z. Ilic ◽  
M.D. Petrovic ◽  
J. Stojkovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Enzyme Activities ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Liver Steatosis ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Metabolic Status ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Metabolic Disturbances ◽  
Hepatic Lesions ◽  
Beta Hydroxybutyrate

The objective of the present study was to determine metabolic status in late pregnant (n = 15) and puerperal (n = 15) Simmental dairy cows. The various blood metabolites and serum enzyme activities were determined by photometric methods. The early lactation cows had the indicative values of the beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) (> 1.20 mmol/l) but did not display any clinical signs, which means that they had a typical subclinical condition. The lipomobilization markers, serum BHB and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations, were markedly enhanced (P<0.05) in early lactation cows. Liver steatosis compromised hepatocyte metabolism, leading to significantly weaker (P<0.05) circulating concentrations of glucose, triglyceride (TG) and urea, and induced some cellular lesions as evidenced by significant increases (P<0.05) in the serum bilirubin concentrations and theaspartate transaminase (AST) enzyme activities in early lactation cows. On the basis biochemistry estimation, early lactation cows had metabolic disturbances which were associated with ketosis, and some degree of hepatic lesions, probably due to fat infiltration.

scholarly journals Effects of a Dietary L-Carnitine Supplementation on Performance, Energy Metabolism and Recovery from Calving in Dairy Cows

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Meyer ◽  
Susanne Ursula Daniels ◽  
Sandra Grindler ◽  
Johanna Tröscher-Mußotter ◽  
Mohamadtaher Alaedin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Carnitine Supplementation ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Energy Consuming ◽  
The Impact

Dairy cows are metabolically challenged during the transition period. Furthermore, the process of parturition represents an energy-consuming process. The degree of negative energy balance and recovery from calving also depends on the efficiency of mitochondrial energy generation. At this point, L-carnitine plays an important role for the transfer of fatty acids to the site of their mitochondrial utilisation. A control (n = 30) and an L-carnitine group (n = 29, 25 g rumen-protected L-carnitine per cow and day) were created and blood samples were taken from day 42 ante partum (ap) until day 110 post-partum (pp) to clarify the impact of L-carnitine supplementation on dairy cows, especially during the transition period and early puerperium. Blood and clinical parameters were recorded in high resolution from 0.5 h to 72 h pp. L-carnitine-supplemented cows had higher amounts of milk fat in early lactation and higher triacylglyceride concentrations in plasma ap, indicating increased efficiency of fat oxidation. However, neither recovery from calving nor energy balance and lipomobilisation were influenced by L-carnitine.

scholarly journals Natural Infection of Dairy Cows with Bovine Leukemia Virus Affects Immunoglobulin Levels in Saliva and Serum but Not Milk

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 907
Author(s):  
Monika Dziuba ◽  
Vickie J. Ruggiero ◽  
Catherine Wilson ◽  
Paul C. Bartlett ◽  
Paul M. Coussens
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Bovine Leukemia Virus ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Retroviral Infection ◽  
Serum Iga ◽  
The Impact

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a retroviral infection that disrupts the immune function of infected animals. It is widespread among U.S. dairy cattle. In this pilot study, the average total IgA and IgM concentrations in milk, saliva, and serum samples from BLV ELISA-positive (ELISA+) dairy cows were compared against samples from BLV ELISA-negative (ELISA−) cows using the Kruskal–Wallis test (with ties). The results from ELISA+ cows were also stratified by lymphocyte count (LC) and proviral load (PVL). In milk and saliva from ELISA+ cows, the average total IgA and IgM concentrations were decreased compared to ELISA− cows, although this was only statistically significant for saliva IgM in cows with low PVL (p = 0.0424). Numerically, the average total IgA concentrations were 33.6% lower in milk and 23.7% lower in saliva, and the average total IgM concentrations were 42.4% lower in milk and 15.5% lower in saliva. No significant differences were observed in the total serum IgA concentrations, regardless of PVL and LC. The total serum IgM from ELISA+ cows was significantly decreased (p = 0.0223), with the largest decreases occurring in the highest PVL and LC subgroups. This pilot study is a first step in investigating the impact of BLV on mucosal immunity and will require further exploration in each of the various stages of disease progression.

scholarly journals Neutrophil phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 894-903
Author(s):  
Marina Žekić-Stošić ◽  
Zdenko Kanački ◽  
Dragica Stojanović ◽  
Dejan Bugarski ◽  
Miodrag Lazarević ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Respiratory Burst ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Burst Activity ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Health Production ◽  
Respiratory Burst Activity ◽  
Entire Study

Introduction: Hormonal and metabolic changes, as well as energy imbalance, can affect health, production and reproductive performance of dairy cows. In the present study, we evaluated phagocytosis and respiratory burst neutrophil activity during the transition period and early lactation and compared it with biochemical and hematological parameters in dairy cows. Methodology: Simmental cows (n = 21) were enrolled in the study. Whole blood samples were collected weekly from 3 weeks pre- calving until 6 weeks post calving. Basic metabolic and blood parameters were assessed by routine laboratory analyses, while neutrophil functions were analyzed by commercial test kits. Results: Optimal neutrophil response was observed pre and post calving. The highest value was recorded in the 6th week after calving (89.54 ± 7.61%) and being significantly higher (p < 0.01) as compared to values recorded at two and one week before and one week after calving. The percentage of activated neutrophils was high during the entire study period: from 70.80 ± 5.22% at the beginning of the study to 89.54 ± 7.61% at the end of the study. During the study period, production of Reactive Oxidative Species by neutrophils was positively correlated with β-hydroxybutyrat and non-esterified fatty acids values (0.454** and 0.423**, respectively) and calcium levels (0.164* and 0.212**, respectively). Conclusions: The most prominent changes in all parameters had no influence on phagocytic and respiratory burst activity of neutrophils. Neutrophil function is preserved at the optimal level during the transition period and early lactation in Simmental cows.

scholarly journals Determination metabolic and nutritional status in dairy cows during early and mid lactation

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radojica Djokovic ◽  
Zoran Ilic ◽  
Vladimir Kurcubic ◽  
Milan Petrovic ◽  
Violeta Caro-Petrovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Serum ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Metabolic Status ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Nonesterified Fatty Acids ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Lower Blood ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Beta Hydroxybutyrate

The objective of the present study was to investigate nutritional and metabolic status in Simmental cows during early and mid-lactation. Fifteen early lactating cows and 15 mid lactating cows were chosen for the investigation. Blood samples were collected to measure beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides (TG), glucose and the activity of aspartate transaminase (AST). Early lactation as compared to mid lactating cows were found to have significantly higher (P<0.05) blood serum concentrations of NEFA, BHB and AST and lower blood serum concentrations of glucose (P<0.05) and TG (P>0.05). Significantly negative correlations were observed between BHB and glucose (P<0.01), BHB and TG (P<0.05), NEFA and glucose (P<0.05). Significantly positive correlations were observed between NEFA and BHB (P<0.05), NEFA and AST (P<0.05), glucose and TG (P<0.01). The results suggest that these parameters can serve as useful indicators of the nutritional and metabolic status of dairy cows during lactation.

scholarly journals Revisiting the Relationships between Fat-to-Protein Ratio in Milk and Energy Balance in Dairy Cows of Different Parities, and at Different Stages of Lactation

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3256
Author(s):  
Edward H. Cabezas-Garcia ◽  
Alan W. Gordon ◽  
Finbar J. Mulligan ◽  
Conrad P. Ferris
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Protein Ratio ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Partial Correlations ◽  
Regression Slopes ◽  
Beta Hydroxybutyrate

A statistical re-assessment of aggregated individual cow data was conducted to examine trends in fat-to-protein ratio in milk (FPR), and relationships between FPR and energy balance (EB, MJ of ME/day) in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows of different parities, and at different stages of lactation. The data were collected from 27 long-term production trials conducted between 1996 and 2016 at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland. In total, 1321 lactations (1 to 20 weeks in milk; WIM), derived from 840 individual cows fed mainly grass silage-based diets, were included in the analysis. The energy balance was calculated daily and then averaged weekly for statistical analyses. Data were further split in 4 wk. intervals, namely, 1–4, 5–8, 9–12, 13–16, and 17–20 WIM, and both partial correlations and linear regressions (mixed models) established between the mean FPR and EB during these periods. Three FPR score categories (‘Low’ FPR, <1.0; ‘Normal’ FPR, 1.0–1.5; ‘High’ FPR, >1.5) were adopted and the performance and EB indicators within each category were compared. As expected, multiparous cows experienced a greater negative EB compared to primiparous cows, due to their higher milk production relative to DMI. Relatively minor differences in milk fat and protein content resulted in large differences in FPR curves. Second lactation cows displayed the lowest weekly FPR, and this trend was aligned with smaller BW losses and lower concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) until at least 8 WIM. Partial correlations between FPR and EB were negative, and ‘greatest’ in early lactation (1–4 WIM; r = −0.38 on average), and gradually decreased as lactation progressed across all parities (17–20 WIM; r = −0.14 on average). With increasing parity, daily EB values tended to become more negative per unit of FPR. In primiparous cows, regression slopes between FPR and EB differed between 1–4 and 5–8 WIM (−54.6 vs. −47.5 MJ of ME/day), while differences in second lactation cows tended towards significance (−57.2 vs. −64.4 MJ of ME/day). Irrespective of the lactation number, after 9–12 WIM, there was a consistent trend for the slope of the linear relationships between FPR and EB to decrease as lactation progressed, with this likely reflecting the decreasing milk nutrient demands of the growing calf. The incidence of ‘High’ FPR scores was greatest during 1–4 WIM, and decreased as lactation progressed. ‘High’ FPR scores were associated with increased energy-corrected milk (ECM) yields across all parities and stages of lactation, and with smaller BW gains and increasing concentrations (log transformed) of blood metabolites (non-esterified fatty acid, NEFA; beta-hydroxybutyrate, BHB) until 8 WIM. Results from the present study highlight the strong relationships between FPR in milk, physiological changes, and EB profiles during early lactation. However, while FPR can provide an indication of EB at a herd level, the large cow-to-cow variation indicates that FPR cannot be used as a robust indicator of EB at an individual cow level.

Herd health monitoring in dairy farms – discover metabolic diseases. An overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (04) ◽  
pp. 246-255
Author(s):  
Simone Gruber ◽  
Rolf Mansfeld
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Associated Production ◽  
Production Diseases

AbstractThe transition period, 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after calving, is inevitably accompanied by a negative energy balance, which sometimes causes metabolic disturbances, such as ketosis. Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is defined as an increase in the β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration to ≥ 1.2 mmol/l in the blood. According to a recent study, a value of ≥ 0.7 mmol/l of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in the blood indicates the potential development of the poor metabolic adaption syndrome (PMAS). With a herd prevalence of 21 %, and an incidence of approximately 40 % within the first 2 weeks after calving, SCK is a relevant herd health problem. The milk yield decreases in the first 2 weeks postpartum by 3–5.3 kg/d for each ketotic cow, and the total milk reduction through the whole lactation period of 305 days averages 112 kg (SD 89 kg). Although the cow does not display any clinical signs of ketosis at this stage, the risk of developing associated production diseases like retained placenta, metritis, displaced abomasum, lameness and clinical ketosis increases and the expected performance in terms of milk production will decrease. The herd health status deteriorates and the risk for early culling increases. Another impact factor is the financial aspect, which includes costs for early death, reduced milk production, reproduction losses, and associated production diseases. In the literature, the calculated costs per SCK case vary between $ 78 and $ 289. The gold standard diagnostic test for SCK is the photometric measurement of BHB in blood. This method is accurate, but results are delayed due to the required laboratory analysis. There are also some rapid cow-side tests, i. e. urine or milk strip tests available to identify ketotic cows. The common disadvantage of these methods is that they are not suitable for herd health monitoring because of the need to collect samples from each cow manually and the high rates of false negative results. However, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is suitable for herd health monitoring. It is already being used for the analysis of milk composition. This inexpensive, rapid and simple technique has a specificity of 83.8 % and a sensitivity of 82.4 %. Therefore, FTIR is an early and easy method for detecting ketotic cows, that could help reduce financial and performance losses associated with ketosis.

scholarly journals Increasing serotonin concentrations alter calcium and energy metabolism in dairy cows

2015 ◽  
Vol 226 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimena Laporta ◽  
Spencer A E Moore ◽  
Samantha R Weaver ◽  
Callyssa M Cronick ◽  
Megan Olsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Esterified Fatty Acids ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Post Infusion ◽  
Defecation Frequency ◽  
Beta Hydroxybutyrate ◽  
Calcium Secretion

A 4×4 Latin square design in which varied doses (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/kg) of 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan (5-HTP, a serotonin precursor) were intravenously infused into late-lactation, non-pregnant Holstein dairy cows was used to determine the effects of serotonin on calcium and energy metabolism. Infusion periods lasted 4 days, with a 5-day washout between periods. Cows were infused at a constant rate for 1 h each day. Blood was collected pre- and 5, 10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min post-infusion, urine was collected pre- and post-infusion, and milk was collected daily. All of the 5-HTP doses increased systemic serotonin as compared to the 0 mg/kg dose, and the 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg doses increased circulating glucose and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and decreased beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHBA) concentrations. Treatment of cows with either 1.0 or 1.5 mg/kg 5-HTP doses decreased urine calcium elimination, and the 1.5 mg/kg dose increased milk calcium concentrations. No differences were detected in the heart rates, respiration rates, or body temperatures of the cows; however, manure scores and defecation frequency were affected. Indeed, cows that received 5-HTP defecated more, and the consistency of their manure was softer. Treatment of late-lactation dairy cows with 5-HTP improved energy metabolism, decreased loss of calcium into urine, and increased calcium secretion into milk. Further research should target the effects of increasing serotonin during the transition period to determine any benefits for post-parturient calcium and glucose metabolism.

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