Prepartum dietary management of energy intake affects postpartum intake and lactation performance by primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of plane of energy intake prepartum on postpartum performance. Primiparous (n=24) and multiparous (n=23) Holsteins were randomly assigned by expected date of parturition to 1 of 3 prepartum energy intakes. A moderate energy diet [1.63 Mcal of net energy for lactation (NE(L))/kg; 15% crude protein (CP)] was fed for either ad libitum intake (OVR) or restricted intake (RES) to supply 150 or 80% of National Research Council (2001) energy requirement, respectively, for dry cows in late gestation. To limit energy intake to 100% of NRC requirement at ad libitum dry matter intake (DMI), chopped wheat straw was included as 31.8% of dry matter (DM) in a control diet (CON; 1.21 Mcal of NE(L)/kg of DM; 14% CP). Multiparous and primiparous cows assigned to OVR gained body condition during the dry period [initial body condition score (BCS)=3.3], but were not overconditioned by parturition (BCS=3.5). Multiparous cows in the OVR group lost more BCS postpartum than multiparous RES or CON cows. Primiparous cows lost similar amounts of BCS among dietary treatment groups postpartum. Addition of chopped wheat straw to CON diets prevented a large decrease in DMI prepartum in both primiparous and multiparous cows. During the first 3 wk postpartum, DMI as a percentage of BW was lower for multiparous OVR cows than for multiparous RES cows. Prepartum diet effects did not carry over through the entire 8-wk lactation period. Because of greater mobilization of body stores, OVR cows had greater milk fat percentage and greater 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield during the first 3 wk postpartum. Multiparous cows assigned to OVR experienced a 55% decrease in energy balance and primiparous cows a 40% decrease in energy balance during the last 3 wk before parturition, compared with CON or RES cows that had little change. Multiparous cows fed OVR had a greater contribution of energy from body energy reserves to milk energy output than either CON or RES cows. Overfeeding energy prepartum resulted in large changes in periparturient energy balance. Even in the absence of overconditioning, a large change in DMI and energy balance prepartum influenced postpartum DMI and BCS loss, especially for multiparous cows. Chopped wheat straw was effective at controlling energy intake prepartum, although primiparous cows did not achieve predicted DMI. Even so, controlling or restricting energy intake in primiparous cows was not detrimental to lactational performance over the first 8 wk of lactation.

Variation in fat mobilization during early lactation differently affects feed intake, body condition, and lipid and glucose metabolism in high-yielding dairy cows

“…Postpartum fat mobilization of subcutaneous fat did not depend on the level of prepartum BCS and BFT, a finding also described by Janovick and Drackley (2010). Obviously, enhanced mobilization of subcutaneous fat 175 occurs, although prepartum BCS and BFT levels were in an optimal range.…”

Prepartum and postpartum nutritional management to optimize fertility in high-yielding dairy cows in confined TMR systems

“…We have no evidence that the extra energy and nutrient intake was beneficial in any way. More importantly, our data indicate that allowing cows to over-consume energy even to this degree may predispose them to health problems during the transition period if they face stressors or challenges that limit DMI.Our studies indicate that prolonged over-consumption of energy during the dry period can decrease post-calving DMI (Dann et al, 2006; Douglas et al, 2006;Janovick and Drackley, 2010). Over-consuming energy results in negative responses of metabolic indicators, such as higher NEFA and BHBA in blood and more TAG in the liver after calving (Douglas et al, 2006;Janovick et al, 2011).…”

“…Kunz et al, 1985). Cows fed even moderate-energy diets (1.50 to 1.60 Mcal NEL/kg DM) will easily consume 40% to 80% more net energy for lactation (NEL) than required during both far-off and close-up periods (Dann et al, 2005 and Douglas et al, 2006;Janovick and Drackley, 2010). Cows in these studies were all <3.5 BCS (1 to 5 scale) at dry-off, and were fed individually TMR based on corn silage, alfalfa silage and alfalfa hay with some concentrate supplementation.…”

Cattle genomics and its implications for future nutritional strategies for dairy cattle

“…A recent experiment from the University of Illinois (Janovick et al, 2009;Loor et al, 2011) studied the transcriptomics adaptations of bovine subcutaneous adipose tissue from the beginning of pregnancy through early lactation in cows fed diets designed to meet (,100% of net energy requirements; 1.21 Mcal/kg diet dry matter) or exceed (,150%; 1.63 Mcal/kg diet dry matter, i.e. energy-overfed) energy requirements during the entire dry period (,65 days; Janovick and Drackley, 2010). The higherenergy diet led to greater accumulation of body fat, as measured by body condition score (Janovick and Drackley, 2010), and robust transcriptional adaptations with more than 3000 DEG affected (FDR < 0.05) by the interaction of time 3 diet (Janovick et al, 2009, Loor et al, 2011.…”

“…energy-overfed) energy requirements during the entire dry period (,65 days; Janovick and Drackley, 2010). The higherenergy diet led to greater accumulation of body fat, as measured by body condition score (Janovick and Drackley, 2010), and robust transcriptional adaptations with more than 3000 DEG affected (FDR < 0.05) by the interaction of time 3 diet (Janovick et al, 2009, Loor et al, 2011. In response to the higher-energy diet prepartum and using a cut-off of P < 0.01 for the comparison between diets at each time point plus the FDR-corrected P-value <0.05 for the interaction effect, analysis uncovered .1500 DEG at 2 weeks prepartum, , 100 at 1 day after calving, and , 200 DEG at 2 weeks postpartum compared to control (i.e.…”