Relationships Among Milk Production, Energy Balance, Plasma Analytes, and Reproduction in Holstein-Friesian Cows

Abstract

Associations were examined between components and indicators of early lactation energy balance (EB) and measures of fertility in Holstein cows. Milk production, dry matter intake (DMI), body condition score (BCS), and endocrine and metabolite data from 96 cows were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and survival analysis. Fertility variables investigated were interval to commencement of luteal activity (C-LA), calving to conception interval (CCI), and conception rate to first service (CON1). Mean daily EB, milk protein content, and DMI during the first 28 d in milk were associated positively with CON1. Cows having poorer BCS (< or =2.25) at first service had a lower CON1. Positive associations were identified among EB, milk protein content, DMI, and the likelihood of a shorter interval to C-LA. Cows having greater DMI and a more positive EB had an increased likelihood of a shorter CCI, whereas a lower nadir BCS was associated with an increased likelihood of a longer CCI. Milk yield was not associated with any of the fertility variables investigated. A greater plasma concentration of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) during the first 2 wk of lactation was associated with a greater CON1 and an increased likelihood of a shorter interval to C-LA. In conclusion, we identified DMI as the principal component of EB influencing subsequent fertility. Furthermore, results indicate that milk protein content and plasma IGF-I concentration in early lactation may be useful indicators of reproductive efficiency.

Nutritional regulation of body condition score at the initiation of the transition period in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows under grazing conditions: milk production, resumption of post-partum ovarian cyclicity and metabolic parameters

“…Most reports on the effect of BCS on productive and reproductive parameters are based on a classification of the cows according to BCS at calving (Gallo et al, 1996;Meikle et al, 2004;Patton et al, 2007) and/or at the moment of the initiation of the transition period (Shrestha et al, 2005;Chagas et al, 2006). We did not find reports on the effect of different nutritionally regulated BCS at the initiation of the transition period in dairy cows; thus, productive and reproductive responses to BCS could be the result of a differential animal capacity to face NEB during this period.…”

Effect of cow energy status on the hypercholesterolaemic fatty acid proportion in raw milk

“…On the other hand, our results, detected in high-yielding dairy cows kept in an intensive stable system, documented a significantly (P < 0.01) lower value of HCFA after the NEB period (-1.86%). Thus, the early overcoming of NEB is important for the respective cows' health and reproduction ability (Patton et al 2007;Podpečan et al 2008) as well as for the quality of milk used for human consumption (Pešek et al 2006;Hanuš et al 2010). It is possible to state that cows with the earlier overcoming of NEB started to produce milk healthier for human consumption sooner after calving.…”

Relationships between thyroid hormones and serum energy metabolites with different patterns of postpartum luteal activity in high-producing dairy cows

“…The nutritional status of cattle is communicated within the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis via metabolic hormones or blood metabolites or both (Butler, 2000). Previous studies have focused on the association between negative energy balance (NEB) postpartum and delayed onset of ovarian cyclicity, and hence poor fertility (Lucy, 2003;Patton et al, 2007;Wathes et al, 2007).…”

“…The nutritional status of cattle is communicated within the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis via metabolic hormones or blood metabolites or both (Butler, 2000). Previous studies have focused on the association between negative energy balance (NEB) postpartum and delayed onset of ovarian cyclicity, and hence poor fertility (Lucy, 2003;Patton et al, 2007;Wathes et al, 2007).It has been shown that thyroid hormones (thyroxine: T 4 and 3,30,5-tri-iodothyronine: T 3 ) are involved in the adaptation of energy metabolism in dairy cows (Reist et al, 2003;Mohebbi-Fani et al, 2009) and sheep (Eryavuz et al, 2007;Novoselec et al, 2009 (1995) and Flores et al (2008) showed that anestrous beef cows with the lowest BCS had lower serum T 4 concentrations in the postpartum period. In addition, these anestrous cows were observed to have a smaller dominant follicle (Flores et al, 2008).…”