Ketonemia in dairy goats: Effect of dry period length and effect on lying behavior

Abstract

In dairy animals, a successful transition from one lactation to the next includes minimizing negative energy balance. Cows experiencing excessive negative energy balance typically develop metabolic complications following parturition (e.g., ketosis); does are also susceptible before kidding (e.g., pregnancy toxemia). It is not known to what extent the provision and the length of the dry period affect these conditions in does. Furthermore, whereas clinical symptoms of these conditions include lethargy, behavioral changes resulting from ketosis and pregnancy toxemia have not been quantified in small ruminants. The aims of this study were to (1) describe the relationship between the dry period and negative energy balance, and (2) determine if lying behavior changes are indicative of the metabolic status of dairy goats. A total of 420 does on 10 commercial dairy goat farms in southern Ontario, Canada, were enrolled in the study (mean ± SD: 42±18 does/farm). Each doe was affixed with a data logger to measure lying behavior from 12 d before to 12 d after kidding. Blood samples were collected at least once before and at least once following kidding to determine blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentration as an indicator of negative energy balance. Does were categorized as healthy (HLTH; both pre- and postkidding samples BHBA <0.9 mmol/L), PREGTOX (prekidding BHBA ≥1.7 mmol/L), or KET (postkidding BHBA ≥1.7 mmol/L). Behaviors were analyzed according to 5 periods: P-2 (d -12 to d -2 relative to kidding), P-1 (d -1 relative to kidding), P0 (d 0, kidding day), P1 (d 1 relative to kidding), and P2 (d 2 to 12 relative to kidding). Dry period length and milk production after kidding were recorded when available. Farms ranged from 0 to 15% and 0 to 50% in prekidding and postkidding ketonemia, respectively. The HLTH does had shorter dry periods compared with PREGTOX and KET does (43 vs. 55 d, SE of the differences of means=4 d). One farm kept some does milking, while drying off others; on this farm more PREGTOX and KET does (11/28) were found in the dry group versus the continuously milked group (1/16). Overall, does that had ketonemia before kidding (PREGTOX) spent more time lying down compared with healthy does (16.1 vs. 12.7 h/d, SE of the differences of means=0.9). Both PREGTOX and HLTH does had increased lying bouts in P-2 compared with the day before (P-1) kidding [(mean (95% CI): 16.8 (15.8-17.8) vs. 20.5 (19.4-21.8) bout/d]. Compared with HLTH does, animals that were ketonemic following kidding (KET) had higher mean lying times throughout the study (14.5 vs. 13.5 h/d, SE=0.4). Previous work has shown a relationship between shorter and skipped dry periods and improved energy balance in dairy cows; the current study is the first to indicate a similar relationship in dairy goats. Furthermore, goats that developed ketonemia, particularly before kidding, displayed decreased activity, including longer lying times and fewer lying bouts in the days around kidding.

Engineering to support wellbeing of dairy animals

“…Dairy cows with subclinical ketosis are 20–50% less likely to become pregnant at first AI than normal cows (Walsh et al 2007) and show greater lethargy and lying times (Itle et al 2015). Similar effects have been reported in dairy goats (Zobel et al 2015). There is also considerable variation between animals in what is ‘normal’.…”

Lying Behaviour in Dairy Goats: Effects of a New Automated Feeding System Assessed by Accelerometer Technology

“…In the present study, an overall LT of 11.78 ± 1.47 h/d (mean ± SD) was examined. This is lower than in studies of Zobel et al [ 19 , 22 ], who found a mean lying time of healthy goats of 15.45 h/d two to 12 days before and after kidding [ 22 ] and 14.5 h/d in late gestation goats [ 19 ]. In a study of Patt et al [ 23 ], the mean LT of non-lactating horned goats was 13.22 h/d (in groups of seven goats/group).…”

Maternal Metabolic Demands Caused by Pregnancy and Lactation: Association with Productivity and Offspring Phenotype in High-Yielding Dairy Ewes

“…Pathological levels of β-OHB are observed in situations associated with metabolic challenge. Dairy goats with ketonemia show reduced milk production before and after giving birth [33]. Similarly, Chios dairy ewes with high levels of β-OHB and NEFA before and after parturition show lower milk yield during lactation [16].…”

“…BCS in the peripartum period and DPL also affect milk yield and are associated with metabolic disorders [16,33,40]. A DPL shorter than 30 days and longer than 91–120 days reduced milk production in Lacaune dairy ewes [18].…”