Effects of Body Condition Score Changes During Peripartum on the Postpartum Health and Production Performance of Primiparous Dairy Cows

Abstract

This is a prospective observational study that evaluates the effects of body condition score (BCS) changes in primiparous Holstein cows during peripartum on their NEFA and BHBA concentrations, hormone levels, postpartum health, and production performance. The cows under study (n = 213) were assessed to determine their BCS (5-point scale; 0.25-point increment) once a week during the whole peripartum by the same researchers; backfat was used for corrections. Blood samples were collected 21 and 7 days before calving and 7, 21, and 35 days after calving, and were assayed for NEFA, BHBA, growth hormone (GH), insulin, leptin, and adiponectin concentrations. The incidence of disease and milk yield were recorded until 84 days after calving. Cows were classified according to their BCS changes during peripartum as follows: Those that gained BCS (G; ΔBCS ≥ 0.25), maintained BCS (M; ΔBCS = 0–0.25), or lost BCS (L; ΔBCS ≥ 0.5). The BCS at −21 days and at 7, 14, and 21 days were different (p < 0.01), but trended toward uniformity in all groups at calving. The L group had higher NEFA and BHBA concentrations and hormone levels (p < 0.01) than the M and G groups at 21 and 35 days after calving, and had a higher incidence of uterine and metabolic diseases; however, there were no differences in production performance between the various groups. In conclusion, a lower BCS in primiparous cows during peripartum influences the NEFA and BHBA concentrations, hormone levels, and occurrence of health problems postpartum. The postpartum effects of BCS changes appear prior to calving.

Postpartum perineal muscle sonogram in Madura beef cow

“…Body weight and BCS, which decrease during NEB period, are indicated by the increase of NEFA concentration [28]. This is strengthened in a research by Wang et al [29], which stated that there is a positive correlation between PP BCS drop and the increase of NEFA concentration. This is also in accordance with a research by Halachmi et al [30] and Singh et al [31] who stated that muscle mass decrease will cause the decrease of BCS.…”

Influence of Body Condition Score on Milk Production Parameters of Murrah Buffaloes

“…In contrast Delfino et al [28] reported no differences for milk yield between buffaloes with high BCS (more than 3.5) at calving and low BCS (less than 3.5) at calving. Wang et al [11] also reported no differences in production performance between various BCS groups of primiparous dairy cows.…”

“…Many studies on BCS system also reported the association of overly fat dry cows with postpartum complications and thin cows with reduced milk yield [10]. Primiparous cows can attain an ideal BCS at calving through sufficient prepartum management practices, even though a slight drop in the prepartum BCS may be a warning of post partum risk of poor productive performance [11].…”

Randomised controlled trial on estrus and conception impacts of reproductive and nutrition interventions on Kenyan smallholder dairy farms.

“…Negative BCS changes in early lactation lead to delayed days to first estrus as a result of delayed ovarian activity, infrequent LH pulses, poor follicular response to gonadotropins, and reduced functional competence of follicles (Chagas et al, 2007). These postpartum BCS losses can be inversely related to BCS at calving; if BCS at calving is too high, this may limit feed intake postpartum and predispose cows to a high rate of BCS loss (Wang et al, 2019). Conversely, if BCS at calving is too low, the cow will calve with limited body reserves, and in this case, BCS remains low (Wang et al, 2019).…”

“…These postpartum BCS losses can be inversely related to BCS at calving; if BCS at calving is too high, this may limit feed intake postpartum and predispose cows to a high rate of BCS loss (Wang et al, 2019). Conversely, if BCS at calving is too low, the cow will calve with limited body reserves, and in this case, BCS remains low (Wang et al, 2019). In the majority of the Kenyan smallholder cows, body condition is often low at calving and continues to be low into the postpartum period, leading to postpartum anestrus and overly long days open (Gitonga, 2010).…”