Energy balance in transition cows and its association with health, reproduction and milk production

Summary

Objective: It was the purpose of this study to determine the effects of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations at different time periods of the transition period as well as lactation number on metabolism, health, reproduction and milk production in dairy cows. Material and methods: This trial was conducted in a single dairy herd located in Northern Germany. Of the herd, which comprised 330 lactating Holstein cows housed in a free stall barn and fed a total mixed ration (TMR), 83 primiparous and multiparous cows were randomly selected. Animals were checked for body condition score (BCS), locomo tion score, calving data, quality of colostrum, reproductive measures, daily rectal temperature of the first 10 days post-partum (p. p.), health data and culling rates up to 200 days in milk (DIM) as well as milk production until 305 DIM. Three different time periods were considered: 3 and 1 week ante partum (a. p.); partus and 1 week p. p.; 3 weeks p. p. Results: Animals with NEFA concentrations 0.4 mmol/l ante partum had a higher risk of no ovarian activity in week 5 p. p. and of subclinical ketosis post partum than cows with lower NEFA concentrations (p < 0.05). Cows with NEFA concentrations 1.1 mmol/l in week 1 p. p., in comparison to those with lower NEFA concentrations, showed a higher prevalence of clinical ketosis (24.1% vs. 5.9%), subclinical ketosis (62.1% vs. 34.0%) and culling rate within 200 DIM (34.5% vs. 14.0%) (p < 0.05). Cows with NEFA concentrations 0.3 mmol/l at week 3 p. p. had higher 100- and 305-day milk yields than cows with lower NEFA concentrations (p < 0.05). First lactating heifers were at higher risk to loose body condition ante partum, of dystocia, fever within the first 10 DIM, metritis, clinical and subclinical ketosis as well as to develop a disease within the first 30 DIM (p < 0.05). Multipara were more likely to loose body condition after calving, to a prolonged calving to first service interval and to higher milk yields (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion increased NEFA concentrations during the transition period as well as parity can have an influence on health, production and reproduction of dairy cows.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel: Untersuchung der Wirkung von Konzentrationen freier Fettsäuren (NEFA) zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten der Transitphase sowie der Parität auf Stoffwechsel, Gesundheit, Reproduktion und Milchleistung von Milchkühen. Material und Methoden: Die Untersuchungen wurden auf einem norddeutschen Milchviehbetrieb durchgeführt. Von 330 laktierenden Deutsche-Holstein-Kühen, die in einem Laufstall gehalten und mit einer Gesamtmischration gefüttert wurden, erfolgte eine randomisierte Auswahl 83 primi- und multiparer Tiere. Ausgewertet wurden Körperkondition, Lahmheiten, Kalbedaten, Kolostrumqualität, Reproduktionsdaten, Fieberhäufigkeit in den ersten 10 Tagen post partum (p. p.), Gesundheitsdaten, die Abgangsrate bis Tag 200 p. p. sowie die Milchleistung bis Tag 305 p. p. Die Untersuchungen erfassten folgende Zeiträume: Woche 3 und 1 ante partum (a. p.); Kalbung und Woche 1 p. p.; Woche 3 p. p. Ergebnisse: Tiere mit NEFA-Konzentrationen 0,4 mmol/l ante partum hatten in Woche 5 p. p. eine geringere zyklische Ovaraktivität und litten häufiger unter subklinischer Ketose als Tiere mit niedrigeren NEFA-Konzentrationen (p < 0,05). Im Vergleich zu Kühen mit niedrigeren NEFA-Konzentrationen zeigten Kühe mit NEFA-Konzentrationen 1,1 mmol/l in Woche 1 p. p. ein höheres Erkrankungsrisiko für klinische Ketose (24,1% vs. 5,9%), subklinische Ketose (62,1% vs. 34,0%) sowie Abgänge bis Tag 200 p. p. (34,5% vs. 14,0%) (p < 0,05). Kühe mit NEFA-Konzentrationen 0,3 mmol/l in Woche 3 p. p. erbrachten höhere 100- und 305-Tage-Leistungen als Tiere mit niedrigeren NEFA-Konzentrationen (p < 0,05). Bei Primipara ergaben sich im Vergleich zu Multipara höhere Gewichtsverluste ante partum, mehr Schwergeburten, häufiger Fieber in den ersten 10 Tagen p. p., mehr Metritiden, klinische und subklinische Ketosen sowie eine höhere Wahrscheinlichkeit, in den ersten 30 Tagen p. p. zu erkran ken (p < 0,05). Multipara zeigten häufiger Gewichtsverluste nach der Kalbung, eine verlängerte Rastzeit sowie höhere Milchleistungen (p < 0,05). Schlussfolgerung: Sowohl erhöhte NEFA-Konzentrationen in der Transitphase als auch die Parität können einen Einfluss auf Gesundheit, Leistungen und Reproduktion von Milchkühen haben.

Keywords

Health - metabolism - NEFA - reproduction - transition dairy cows

Schlüsselwörter

Gesundheit - Stoffwechsel - NEFA - Reproduktion - Transitkuh

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