Influence of hepatic load from far-off dry period to early postpartum period on the first postpartum ovulation and accompanying subsequent fertility in dairy cows

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate nutritional and metabolic parameters during the dry and early postpartum periods of ovulatory and anovulatory cows, as well as their postpartum reproductive performance. Blood samples from 20 multiparous Holstein cows were collected once a week from the far-off dry period to 3 weeks postpartum. Early postpartum (0–3 weeks) ovulation was confirmed using plasma progesterone concentration profiles, and cows were considered ovulatory if they had resumed luteal activity by this point (n = 9), whereas cows that had not were considered anovulatory (n = 11). Data from the ovulatory and anovulatory cows were analyzed separately for the far-off dry period (7–4 weeks prepartum), the close-up dry period (3–1 weeks prepartum), and the early postpartum period (0–3 weeks). Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity (far-off, P = 0.065; close-up, P = 0.051; and early postpartum, P = 0.030) and aspartate aminotransferase (close-up, P = 0.050 and early postpartum, P = 0.087) activities were higher in anovulatory than in ovulatory cows. The days open period was longer (P = 0.019) in anovulatory than in ovulatory cows, and the number of artificial inseminations per conception (P = 0.025) was greater. In conclusion, we found that continuously high gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities in serum, which may be induced by liver disorders, prevent subsequent ovulation and affect subsequent fertility, even if cows obtain sufficient ovulation-related energy and β-carotene.

Changes in plasma electrolytes, minerals, and hepatic markers of health across the transition period in dairy cows divergent in genetic merit for fertility traits and postpartum anovulatory intervals

“…Nevertheless, despite their better metabolic status precalving, NEG cows responded to calving with a sustained increase in GGT concentrations relative to POS cows, with differences still apparent at d 28 postcalving. However, because absolute GGT concentrations were still low and within published reference intervals (Cozzi et al, 2011;Bossaert et al, 2012;Kawashima et al, 2016;Moretti et al, 2017) postcalving, we propose they do not indicate a high degree of liver stress in NEG cows. Further, this sustained increase in GGT is unlikely to be in response to hepatic processing of NEFA, as both NEFA and BHB concentrations were lower in NEG cows, leading us to conclude that it is unlikely there is liver damage.…”

“…These cows did not differ in any other metabolite around calving, so it appears to be an acute response to the calving event. Reference intervals for GGT range from 12 to 35 IU/L (Cozzi et al, 2011;Bossaert et al, 2012;Kawashima et al, 2016;Moretti et al, 2017), so a peak of 37 IU/L is not indicative of a high level of liver damage. The NEG S-PPAI cows also had an altered hepatic activity profile, albeit in a different manner to NEG L-PPAI cows, whereby they had the greatest mean GLDH concentrations during the transition period.…”

“…Accordingly, increased circulating NEFA concentrations and production of BHB during severe negative energy balance have been associated with longer intervals to first ovulation (Meikle et al, 2004;Wathes et al, 2007;Santos et al, 2009). Greater circulating concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) have also been reported in cows that had not ovulated by 3 wk postcalving compared with those that had (Kawashima et al, 2016), supporting an important role of liver function in the resumption of estrous. Our studies involved cows that differed in their FertBV as indicated minor BCS differences over the transition period, but there was a wide range of PPAI, especially in NEG cows (Meier et al, 2021b).…”

Supplementation of rumen‐protected lysine during the close‐up period improves vaginal discharge clearance in Holstein dairy cows

“…Other blood parameters, including BUN, showed no inter‐group differences, aligning with typical values during peripartum (Kawashima, Karaki, et al., 2016; Kida, 2002; Oikawa et al., 2019). Previous studies have identified lower BCS and glucose levels and elevated AST and GGT activities in anovulatory postpartum cows (Castro et al., 2012; Kawashima et al., 2007; Kawashima, Ito, et al., 2016). Delayed uterine involution has been linked to lower total cholesterol and albumin levels and higher BUN, NEFA, and AST levels (Kawashima et al., 2018).…”

“…Previous studies have identified lower BCS and glucose levels and elevated AST and GGT activities in anovulatory postpartum cows (Castro et al, 2012;Kawashima et al, 2007;Kawashima, Ito, et al, 2016). Delayed uterine involution has been linked to lower total cholesterol and albumin levels and higher BUN, NEFA, and AST levels (Kawashima et al, 2018).…”