Body Condition Scoring and Serum Metabolic Profiles vis-a-vis Parity in Postpartum Surti Buffaloes

Abstract

Background: Lactating animals tend to lose body tissue reserves in support of lactation and move into a negative energy balance that leads to a higher incidence of metabolic disorders and compromised productive performance. Despite several efforts to assess the influence of parity on BCS and metabolic profiles in postpartum buffaloes, systematic information is less. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of parity on metabolic profile and changes in BCS in postpartum Surti buffaloes. Methods: In the present study conducted from September-2017 to May-2018, fourteen postpartum Surti buffaloes were selected and grouped based on parity as primiparous and multiparous (2nd to 5th lactation). The blood sample was collected from all the selected animals on the day of calving, 15th, 30th and 60th day post calving. Serum biochemical parameters viz., glucose, total protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol and Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were analysed. The body condition score (BCS) was assessed from the day of calving up to 60th day of the study at 15-day interval. Result: The study revealed that the BCS was significantly higher in multiparous buffaloes as compared to primiparous group. Among biochemical parameters, glucose was significantly higher in primiparous group as compared to their multiparous counterparts. Parity did not have a significant influence on serum total protein, BUN, cholesterol and NEFA. However, NEFA was slightly higher in multiparous group of Surti buffaloes. High NEFA and low serum glucose indicated a greater degree of negative energy balance in multiparous buffaloes due to higher milk output.