Effects of metabolic conditions of dairy cows during transition period and early lactation in winter and summer on health and fertility

Author(s)

Milton Maturana Filho

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Pirassununga.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2013-12-16

Examining board members

Ed Hoffmann Madureira; Mario Binelli; Eduardo Harry Birgel Junior; Eneiva Carla Carvalho Celeghini; Manoel Francisco de Sá Filho

• Advisor: Ed Hoffmann Madureira

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the associations between plasma variables related to energy metabolism, with other related to the protein, hepatic and kidney metabolism in dairy cows during the transition period, and during early lactation in winter and summer. So these variables can be used as predictors of health and fertility for dairy cows in the first three services. The experiment was conducted on a dairy farm Commercial (Fazenda Colorado, Araras - SP) with 235 dairy cows, multiparous, Holstein. The animals were divided, retrospectively, according to the average production during peak lactation (45.9 kg / milk / day). Thereafter, the cows allocated within the experimental groups (High Production (AP), &#8805; 45.9 to 65 kg / milk at peak lactation; Medium production (MP), between 30 and 45.8 kg / milk at peak lactation). The cows were allocated to the shed from 35 days from the date of delivery provided , prior to 15 days before the adaptation period of assessment and also in the event of any delivery be anticipated. Diets were formulated according to NRC (2001). Blood samples and evaluations ocurred during the transition period and during the protocols for artificial insemination. Variations in levels of globulins (GLOB) during the transition period were more evident and significant in cows that developed metrits, as well as in cows that were not pregnancy after three services. Increases in concentrations of the enzyme creatine kinase (CK) were observed for all experimental groups during peak lactation. Variations of the enzymes measures , the cows of the group of high production of both periods ( API and APV), had higher levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) than cows of medium production (MPI and MPV), with these significant changes to the cows in the AP group from 7 days before calving and remained higher until 104 days of lactation. Higher glucose levels between pregnant cows at first service (lower levels) and those empty after the third insemination were observed. The differences in lipid profile were observed in both the animal model of group production, as well as in the animal model based on pregnancy rates for most variables, particularly highlighting the changes in the levels of NEFA. To this variable, there was a production group ( P < 0.001 ), day ( P < 0.001 ) and day x season interactions ( P < 0.001) and between group x day x season ( P = 0.009 ). In analyzes based on the model of pregnancy, affected only days (P < 0.001) for changes in NEFA concentrations. The APV cows had higher values, as well as a variation pattern of urea different from the other groups until 100 days in milk (DEL). According to the model of pregnancy, the pregnant cows of the summer had higher values of urea; while at the peak of lactation were the winter. No difference in the incidence of disease among the cows of high or average milk production, or between periods (P > 0.05). There was only trend in the incidence of retained placenta (P = 0.09) and metritis (P = 0.07). There was a tendency for earlier calving (P = 0.1), calf weight (P = 0.07) and metritis in the summer period (P = 0.08). Earlier calving ( P = 0.03 ) , dystocia ( P = 0.05 ), retained placenta ( P = 0.009 ), metritis ( P = 0,04) : Based on pregnancy model , significant differences were observed for the variables 04 ) and tendencies in effect creates weight (P = 0.07) , displaced abomasum (P = 0.06), ketosis (P = 0.08) and endometrits (P=0.08) variables. Low glucose concentrations (about 45 mg / dL), allied to high NEFA concentrations (> 0.4 mmol / L) before calving, and were characteristic of cows with dystocia, retained placenta and metritis in addition these cows had a poor pregnancy rate in the first service. The levels of NEFA (0.4 mmol / L) and BHBA (0.7 mmol / L) were highly correlated with the occurrence of uterine diseases. Was observed both in cows with ketosis, as in cows with abomasal displacement high levels of AST (around 128 U / L) pre calving. In this study, the variables: glucose, NEFA, are important predictors of fertility, can be measured in D21 postpartum or the day of insemination (P < 0.05). According to the results obtained, concluded that milk production was not a risk factor for cows remain empty after the first three services. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/06827-6 - Effects of metabolic and hormonal conditions of dairy cows during the transition period and ealry lactation on productive and reproductive performance
• Grantee: Milton Maturana Filho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate