Changes in skeletal muscle thickness and echogenicity and plasma creatinine concentration as indicators of protein and intramuscular fat mobilization in periparturient dairy cows

Abstract

High-producing dairy cows experience a state of negative energy balance in the periparturient period that is partially addressed by increasing the rate of fat and protein mobilization. Previous studies have focused on the rate of fat mobilization, and consequently the rate of protein mobilization has not been well characterized. The objective of this study was therefore to determine the change in indicators of muscle mass during early lactation using ultrasonographic measurement of muscle thickness and changes in plasma creatinine concentration. The maximum thickness of the gluteus medius and longissimus dorsi muscles of 106 Holstein cows (34 primiparous, 72 multiparous) was determined ultrasonographically on d −3, 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 relative to the day of parturition. Plasma creatinine concentration was measured periodically during the same period. Mixed models analysis and Passing-Bablok regression were used to analyze the data. Gluteus medius thickness, longissimus dorsi loin thickness (LDLT), and longissimus dorsi thoracic thickness (LDTT) were decreased at 28 d postpartum compared with d 3 antepartum. Plasma creatinine concentration was weakly associated with gluteus medius thickness, LDLT, and LDTT (Spearman's rho = 0.31, 0.39, and 0.32, respectively). Plasma creatinine concentration in primiparous and multiparous cows at 28 d postpartum decreased by 0.24 and 0.30 mg/dL, respectively, compared with values 3 d antepartum. We concluded that ultrasonographic measurement of LDLT and LDTT and change in plasma creatinine concentration may provide practical methods for monitoring the rate of protein mobilization in periparturient dairy cows. Ultrasono-graphic examination of LDLT and LDTT therefore complements ultrasonographic measurement of backfat thickness and may be useful in the evaluation of energy reserve mobilization in periparturient dairy cows.

Clinical Utility of Plasma Fructosamine Concentration as a Hypoglycemic Biomarker during Early Lactation in Dairy Cattle

“…The study reported here was part of a larger study investigating energy and potassium homeostasis in the periparturient period, and the prediction of parturition and dystocia in Holstein–Friesian cattle. These results have been published elsewhere …”

“…Cows in the study reported here were in negative energy balance, based on reductions in BFT (46%) and LDT (26%) since parturition . Hypoglycemia (plasma [gluc] < 55 mg/dL) was very common during the study period, being identified in 53% (172/327) of the plasma samples and 79% (81/103) of the cows.…”

The effect of age and sex on selected hematologic and serum biochemical analytes in 4,804 elite endurance-trained sled dogs participating in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race pre-race examination program

“…Further investigation into the relationships between muscle mass, serum Creat concentration, serum CK activity, and age appear indicated to identify the preferred analyte to monitor muscle mass in endurance-trained dogs. Ultrasonographic measurement of the cross-sectional area of selected muscles, such as the longissimus dorsi, might be helpful in this matter [46]. Neuter status information would also be beneficial as neuter status affects serum Creat concentration in male and female dogs and serum CK activity in male dogs [11].…”

Calving difficulty influences rumination time and inflammatory profile in Holstein dairy cows

“…The energy status markers (glucose, NEFA, and BHB) showed negative energy balance and lipid mobilization characteristic of transition cows without differences among classes, even though fructosamine, which was previously related to the energy balance markers (Caré et al, 2018), was lower in D animals. After calving, cows with lower D:C also exhibited a more pronounced decrease in plasma creatinine compared with other cows, suggesting a higher muscle mobilization in cows of class D compared with cows of class M and E. Plasma creatinine level in healthy, euhydrated cows is strictly related to muscle mass, and it has been recently suggested as a reliable index to monitor protein mobilization in periparturient cows (Wyss and Kaddurah-Daouk, 2000;Megahed et al, 2019). Therefore, the lower plasma levels of fructosamine and creatinine in D animals suggest a negative relation of D:C with the energy and protein balance of cows during the postpartum period.…”