Effect of prepartum body condition score on the inflammatory response of dairy cows during the transition period

• Grant number: 15/02909-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2015
• End date: April 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: José Luiz Moraes Vasconcelos
• Grantee: Ana Beatriz Montevecchio Bernardino
• Host Institution: Administração Geral. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effects of prepartum body condition score (BCS) on serum concentrations of cortisol and haptoglobin of dairy cows during the transition period. Sixty multiparous ¾ Holstein ´ ¼ Gir cows will be classified according to BCS on d -21 from parturition. All animals will be allocated in drylot pens with ad libitum availability of water, corn silage and minerals, and will individually receive concentrate in a headlock system. The concentrate will be formulated weekly throughout the experimental period, from d -21 to 61, to meet requirements for maintenance and lactation. Blood will be sampled immediately before the morning feeding; from d -21 to 0 and 21 to 61 blood will be sampled every 5 days and from d 0 to 21 blood will be sampled daily. Animals will be independently assessed for BCS by two previously trained individuals and weighed weekly. Blood serum data will be analyzed as repeated measures using the MIXED procedure of SAS.