Relationship between pre-partum body condition score changes, acute phase proteins and energy metabolism markers during the peripartum period in dairy cows

• Main Authors: Paula Montagner, Ana Rita Tavares Krause, Elizabeth Schwegler, Marina Menoncin Weschenfelder, Andressa Stein Maffi, Eduardo Gularte Xavier, Augusto Schneider, Rubens Alves Pereira, Carolina Bespalhok Jacometo, Eduardo Schmitt, Cássio Cassal Brauner, Francisco Augusto Burkert Del Pino, Marcio Nunes Corrêa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2017-04-01
• Series: Italian Journal of Animal Science
• Subjects: Negative energy balance; immunity; acute phase response; body condition score; energy metabolism markers
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2016.1277964

This study evaluated the relationship of pre-partum BCS variations on the acute phase response around parturition and milk production of dairy cows. The animals were divided into two groups: cows that gained BCS from the third to the first week pre-partum (GBC = n 11) and those that lost BCS (LBC = n 9) in the same period. Blood samples were collected pre and post-partum to determine serum concentrations of glucose (GLU), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin (INS), albumin (ALB), paraoxonase (PON), haptoglobin (HP) and blood cell counts. The GBC group showed higher PON concentration in the postpartum (p < .05) and higher ALB concentration both pre and postpartum periods (p < .05), whereas the LBC animals showed a higher HP concentration in both periods (p < .05). Milk yield increased 3 kg/cow/day in the group that increased their BCS (p < .03). The LBC cows showed increased monocyte counts (p < .03), in addition to having a greater number of animals with the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio higher than 1 (p < .03). The remaining parameters did not differ between groups. In conclusion, animals that lost BCS during the pre-partum period demonstrated to have a higher inflammatory status around parturition and lower milk production.