Short communication: Relationship between metabolic status and the milk concentrations of haptoglobin and lactoferrin in dairy cows during early lactation

Abstract

To investigate the relationship between metabolic status and the acute phase proteins haptoglobin (Hp) and lactoferrin (Lf) in milk, the concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and Hp were determined in blood samples collected weekly from 4 wk prepartum until 12 wk postpartum. Haptoglobin and Lf were determined in weekly milk samples. The cows (n = 49) were retrospectively classified according to NEFA and BHBA concentrations using different time intervals and threshold values for NEFA and BHBA, respectively. For BHBA, 4 threshold concentrations, (0.8, 1.0, 1.2, and 1.6 mM) were evaluated either at the first week before calving, at wk 1 or 2 postpartum, or when considering the means of wk 2 and 3 postpartum. For NEFA, the tested thresholds were 0.5 and 0.6 mM at wk 1 prepartum, wk 1 or 2 postpartum, or the means of wk 1 and 2 postpartum. All variables showed changes during the interval of observation. Comparing the time course of the acute phase proteins in the subgroups classified according to BHBA or NEFA, consistently greater concentrations of Hp in serum and milk and of Lf in milk were observed in those animals with BHBA concentrations above 1.6 mM during the last week before calving (n = 3/47) than in those with BHBA concentrations below this threshold. For NEFA, analogous differences for Hp in both serum and milk (0.52 +/- 0.07 and 18.1 +/- 4.6 for NEFA >0.6 mM vs. 0.36 +/- 0.04 mg/mL and 8.46 +/- 1.63 microg/mL for NEFA <0.6 mM, respectively) and for Lf in milk (130 +/- 8.5 vs. 89.2 +/- 7.1 microg/mL, respectively) were detected when a threshold of 0.6 mM at wk 2 postpartum was used. Our results indicated that cows having BHBA and NEFA serum concentrations above these thresholds at defined times could be identified.

A 100-Year Review: Metabolic health indicators and management of dairy cattle

“…Similar to NEFA, an increase in peripartum haptoglobin has been implicated as an indicator of early-lactation disease such as metritis and has been associated with reduced milk yield and risk of pregnancy (Huzzey et al, 2009(Huzzey et al, , 2011(Huzzey et al, , 2015Pohl et al, 2015); however, no rapid cow-side test is currently available that limits the utility of this measurement on an individual animal-or herd-level basis. Serum concentrations of haptoglobin are correlated with their milk concentrations (Hiss et al, 2009); however, more comprehensive analysis is needed before milk concentrations could be considered as a proxy for blood. Future development of a simple and economic testing method to determine blood haptoglobin concentration will allow further investigation into the use of this acute phase protein as a predictor of early-lactation disease, milk production, and reproduction.…”

Endocrine and metabolic changes in transition dairy cows are affected by prepartum infusions of a serotonin precursor

“…Serum adiponectin concentration was measured by ELISA as described by Kesser et al (2015). Serum leptin concentration was measured by ELISA as described by Sauerwein et al (2004), and haptoglobin (Hp) concentration was measured in serum by enzyme immunoassay as described by Hiss et al (2009). The serum used had been calibrated against a standard obtained from a European Union Concerted Action on the standardization of animal acute phase proteins (QLK5- CT-1999-0153;Skinner, 2001).…”

The effects of supplementation of rumen-protected choline on some blood and milk metabolites in the transition period of dairy cattle

“…Plasma BHBA and NEFA concentrations are frequently used to demonstrate the energy status in dairy cattle and detect subclinical ketosis. Subclinical ketosis diagnosis may be made if the plasma BHBA level is <0.9 mmol/L (21). The threshold level for NEFA concentration that indicates a negative energy balance was reported as 0.6 mmol/L (21).…”