Monitoring and Improving the Metabolic Health of Dairy Cows during the Transition Period

Abstract

The peripartum period of a dairy cow is characterized by several physiological and behavioral changes in response to a rapid increase in nutrient demands, to support the final stages of fetal growth and the production of colostrum and milk. Traditionally, the transition period is defined as the period 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after parturition. However, several researchers have argued that the transition period begins at the time of dry-off (~60–50 days prior to calving) and extends beyond the first month post-calving in high producing dairy cows. Independent of the definition used, adequate adaptation to the physiological demands of this period is paramount for a successful lactation. Nonetheless, not all cows are successful in transitioning from late gestation to early lactation, leading to approximately one third of dairy cows having at least one clinical disease (metabolic and/or infectious) and more than half of the cows having at least one subclinical case of disease within the first 90 days of lactation. Thus, monitoring dairy cows during this period is essential to detect early disease signs, diagnose clinical and subclinical diseases, and initiate targeted health management to avoid health and production impairment. In this review, we discuss different strategies to monitor dairy cows to detected unintended disruptions in performance and management strategies that can be implemented to improve the metabolic health and performance of dairy cows during the transition period.

Integrated Metabolomics and Proteomics Dynamics of Serum Samples Reveals Dietary Zeolite Clinoptilolite Supplementation Restores Energy Balance in High Yielding Dairy Cows

“…In high-yielding dairy cows, the transition from gestation to intensive lactation is often marked by significant physiological changes that make the animals vulnerable to different diseases during the early lactation period [22]. This is also influenced by the lack of sufficient feed intake, which often does not supply the energy needed for maintaining basal metabolism and milk production, thereby causing NEB [2].…”

Differentiation of Subclinical Ketosis and Liver Function Test Indices in Adipose Tissues Associated With Hyperketonemia in Postpartum Dairy Cattle

“…Earlier reports suggested that nutrient partitioning and other metabolic activities are the essential physiological processes that subsequently help in subclinical ketosis (SCK) prevention (3) and improving cow's health during the transition and early lactation periods of dairy cattle. In general, the fatty acids, blood metabolites and GH directly or indirectly influence animals in terms of growth, reproduction, welfare condition, during the transition and early lactation periods (4)(5)(6)(7). During the early lactation period, dairy cows experience tremendous physiological and metabolic changes (8)(9)(10), accompanied by fetal development, milk production, high energy intake and a negative energy balance (NEB).…”

Protein-synthesizing, bile-forming, urea-forming and carbohydrate functions in cows with fatty degeneration of the liver

“…Організм намагається ліквідувати гіпоглікемію за рахунок глюконеогенезу. Гіперсекреція глюкокортикоїдів спричиняє мобілізацію жирів із депо, які потрапляючи у печінку, викликають жирову інфільтрацію гепатоцитів (Morris et al, 2009;Caixeta & Omontese, 2021). Такі зміни в організмі корів є основними в патогенезі жирової дистрофії печінки.…”