Blood and Milk Beta-Hydroxybutyric Acid Concentrations and Association of Subclinical Ketosis With Postpartum Health Disorders, Culling Rate, Body Condition Score, Parity and Milk Production in Holstein, Simmental, Montbeliard and Holstein-Crossbreed

Abstract

A total of 300 dairy cows were randomly enrolled from 11 dairy farms in Turkey. The beta-hydroxybutyric acid concentration (BAC) was tested in the blood (BBAC) and individual milk (MBAC) samples at postpartum week 2 (PPW2) and week 4 (PPW4) for the detection of subclinical ketosis (SCK) in Holstein, Montbeliard, Simmental and Holstein-Crossbred (HC; only BBAC). The prevalence of BSCK (BBAC ≥ 1.2 mmol/L), MSCK1 (MBAC = 100 µmol/L), MSCK2 (MBAC ≥ 200 µmol/L) and MSCK1/2 (≥ 100 µmol/L) was 8.3, 11.8, 5.8 and 17.3% at PPW2 and 4.7, 4.9, 6.9 and 11.9% at PPW4 in Holstein respectively. SCK was not observed in Simmental and HC. The prevalence of BSCK and MSCK1 at PPW2 were 4.3 and 43.5% in Montbeliard respectively. Primiparous Montbeliard and Holstein had significantly higher MBAC at PPW2 than PPW4. Overall, HC and Montbeliard had significantly lower BBAC. Cows having body condition scores 2 and 4 at calving had higher MBAC at PPW2 and 4 that was associated significantly with metritis and multiple diseases. Holstein with BCS4 at calving had higher BBAC at PPW2 and 4. Holstein with SCK was more likely to develop postpartum metabolic health disorders (PPHD) in 90 days in milk (90DIM). MSCK1 did not associate milk production loss in Montbeliard and Holstein. Holstein with both BSCK and MSCK2 at PPW2 had a 6.7 kg average daily milk yield loss in 90DIM. Conclusively, SCK was not observed in Simmental and HC, and MSCK1 didn’t cause PPHD and milk yield loss in Montbeliard. BSCK and MSCK2 created a significant risk for PPHD and milk production loss in Holstein.