Impact of prepartum body condition score loss on metabolic status during the transition period and subsequent fertility in Brown Swiss dairy cows

Abstract

Introduction The objectives of this study were to determine the role of a fall in pre-calving body condition score (BCS) in postpartum metabolic status and reproductive outcomes, and gauge the indicativeness of blood metabolites during the transition period. Material and Methods Cows were grouped based on BCS loss between days −14 ±3 and 0 relative to calving. Cows that lost no BCS were the BCS control group (BCS-C), cows that lost 0.25 BCS points the low BCS loss group (BCS-L), and those that lost 0.5 points or more the high BCS loss (BCS-H) group. Blood was taken on days −14 ±3, 3, 14, and 30 ±4 for determination of comprehensive metabolic panel biomarker levels. Beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) levels were quantified on postpartum examination days. Vaginal discharge scores, ovarian activity on day 30 ±4, and subsequent fertility parameters were evaluated. Results The BCS-H cows had lower mean Ca concentrations before calving and on day 3, when the group’s BHBA and CK were higher (P < 0.05); on day 14 they had higher AST concentrations (P < 0.05). The BCS-L cows had greater bilirubin levels (P < 0.05). The BCS-H cows had lower cyclicity and higher endometritis rates. First service pregnancy rates were 50%, 50%, and 61.9%, open days 96.8, 95.75, and 89.2, and overall pregnancy rates 56.25%, 65%, and 80.95 % in the BCS-H, BCS-L, and BCS-C groups, respectively. Conclusion Prepartum BCS loss of ≥ 0.5 points could be associated with Brown Swiss cow low Ca and BHBA concentrations early postpartum, and with subsequent uterine health and overall pregnancy rate. Prepartum Ca concentration might be a prognostic biomarker for postpartum metabolic status and reproductive outcomes.

Association among metabolic status, oxidative stress, milk yield, body condition score and reproductive cyclicity in dairy buffaloes

“…Negative energy balance (NEB) during early lactation is one of the common physiological causes of oxidative stress and health concerns in dairy animals (Elsayed et al., 2019 ; Saqib et al., 2018 ; Zhao et al., 2019 ). Dairy cows adjust to multiple hormonal and metabolic changes associated with the end of pregnancy and the start of lactation during the transition period (Colakoglu et al., 2019 ). Early production and NEB exacerbate the production of fatty acids due to body fat mobilization resulting in frequent changes in body condition score (BCS).…”

Prevalence and risk factors associated with downer cow syndrome at smallholders dairy farms in Middle Egypt

“…This result is supported by Green et al [3] who recorded a recovery rate of 8.1 % for downer cows with BCS below 2.5, while for cows with BCS below 2.75 % or higher, it was 16.6 %. Cows with low score after parturition had a high risk of hypocalcemia [26], displaced abomasum, fatty liver, ketosis, dystocia and retained placenta [27]. On the contrary, Busato et al [28] stated that Cows in good BCS were at higher risk of metabolic problems due to excessive mobilization of body reserves.…”

Major Nutritional Metabolic Alterations Influencing the Reproductive System of Postpartum Dairy Cows

“…The reason for this conflict in studies is essentially due to the postpartum energetic metabolism changes related to fat mobilization [27], where higher prepartum BCS (obesity) is associated with postpartum metabolic disorders and low reproductive efficiency [28,29]. Additionally, a prepartum BCS loss of 0.5 points or more could negatively affect perinatal blood Ca levels and predispose cows to the risk of ketosis and delayed conception [30]. Furthermore, high prepartum BCS was associated with lower calf body weights [31].…”

“…The phenomenon of high inflammatory cytokine signaling and AKT signaling pathway upregulation synergistically enhance the energetic metabolism [32][33][34]. It can be proposed that energy balance monitoring through serum metabolites can help to predict the postpartum nutritional physiology and its ultimate repercussions on reproductive performance [30,35].…”