Changes of Plasma Analytes Reflecting Metabolic Adaptation to the Different Stages of the Lactation Cycle in Healthy Multiparous Holstein Dairy Cows Raised in High-Welfare Conditions

Abstract

Here, we tested the changes occurring in several plasma analytes during different stages of the lactation cycle of high welfare raised multiparous Holstein cows, and provided reference intervals (RI) for plasma analytes concentrations. Eleven high-welfare farms (HWF) located in Northern Italy were selected and their herds used to recruit 361 clinically healthy cows undergoing the dry (from −30 to −10 days from real calving; DFC), the postpartum (from 3 to 7 DFC), the early lactation (from 28 to 45 DFC) and the late lactation phases (from 160 to 305 DFC). Cows affected by subclinical diseases (SCD) were retrospectively excluded, and a subset of 285 cows was selected. Data of plasma analytes underwent ANOVA testing using physiological phases as predictors. The individual effect of each phase was assessed using a pairwise t-test assuming p ≤ 0.05 as a significance limit. A bootstrap approach was used to define the reference interval (RI) for each blood analyte within physiological phases having a pairwise t-test p ≤ 0.05. The concentration of nonesterified fatty acids, albumin, cholesterol, retinol, paraoxonase and tocopherol changed throughout all the physiological phases, whereas the concentration of K, alkaline phosphatase and thiol groups remained stable. Triglycerides, Zn, and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power in the dry phase and BHB, Ca, myeloperoxidase, haptoglobin, reactive oxygen metabolites and advanced oxidation of protein product in postpartum differed compared with other physiological phases. During the dry phase, Packed cell volume, Cl, and urea concentrations were similar to during the postpartum phase. Similarly, Na, γ-glutamyl transferase and β-carotene concentrations were similar to during the early lactation phase; fructosamine and bilirubin concentrations were similar to during the late lactation phase. During the postpartum phase, fructosamine and P concentrations were similar to during the early lactation phase, and the aspartate transaminase concentration was similar to during the late lactation phase. During the early lactation phase, Mg, creatinine, total protein, globulin and ceruloplasmin concentrations were similar to during the postpartum phase, while the urea concentration was similar to during the late lactation phase. All these plasma analytes differed among the other phases. This study identifies physiological trends affecting plasma analytes concentrations during the different stages of the lactation cycle and provides a guideline for the duration and magnitude of their changes when animals are healthy and raised in optimal welfare conditions.

Differentiation of Subclinical Ketosis and Liver Function Test Indices in Adipose Tissues Associated With Hyperketonemia in Postpartum Dairy Cattle

“…Earlier reports suggested that nutrient partitioning and other metabolic activities are the essential physiological processes that subsequently help in subclinical ketosis (SCK) prevention (3) and improving cow's health during the transition and early lactation periods of dairy cattle. In general, the fatty acids, blood metabolites and GH directly or indirectly influence animals in terms of growth, reproduction, welfare condition, during the transition and early lactation periods (4)(5)(6)(7). During the early lactation period, dairy cows experience tremendous physiological and metabolic changes (8)(9)(10), accompanied by fetal development, milk production, high energy intake and a negative energy balance (NEB).…”

“…However, insufficient food intake and the physiological changes after calving lower the appetite, which does not recover quickly (appetite peak can be attained 10-12 weeks after birth). The energy obtained from the animal's body through dry matter (DM) absorption cannot meet the body's requirements, which are significant during lactation (7,18). Therefore, the animal's body first mobilizes hepatic glycogen and then fats and proteins to accelerate gluconeogenesis to maintain the energy balance needed for lactation.…”

Impact of dry-off and lyophilized Aloe arborescens supplementation on plasma metabolome of dairy cows

“…Thus, alongside the latter, another possible explanation could be represented by a transient impairment of kidney function in this phase. The latter could be supported by the higher plasma concentration of creatinine after dry-off 5 , 44 , since circulating creatinine is related to the kidneys’ ability to remove it from the bloodstream 45 . Moreover, advanced glycation end products are recognized as pro-inflammatory mediators, their formation is related to that of reactive oxygen metabolites, and can be formed as a result of oxidative stress and along inflammatory pathways 46 .…”

Associations between Milk Fatty Acid Profile and Body Condition Score, Ultrasound Hepatic Measurements and Blood Metabolites in Holstein Cows

“…As previously discussed, the amount of OCFA in milk is mainly related to ruminal microorganism synthesis and partly to endogenous production in the mammary gland. On the other hand, GGT is one of the most reliable markers of liver damage and oxidative stress and is susceptible to variation with increased liver activity during early lactation [64,65]. Vlaeminck et al [66] observed that the milk OCFA profile differed from the intestinal OCFA profile and was more closely related to the profile in plasma TAG.…”