Changes in blood glucose and plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in relation to body condition scores in periparturient purebred Sahiwal cows

Abstract

The blood glucose and the plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were estimated during extended transition period (56 days prepartum to 84 days postpartum) in relation to body condition scores in 26 purebred Sahiwal cows, 13 cows each from two farms i.e. the BMEF and CBF, Anjora, Durg, Chhattisgarh. BMEF herd concentrate was not fed to the animals during prepartum stage. In BMEF, the mean BCS at periodical intervals was significantly less than that of CBF herd throughout the transition period. The postpartum mean unit loss in BCS of the cows of BMEF herd (0.54±0.09) was significantly higher than that of CBF cows (0.52±0.09). The unit change in BCS was higher in magnitude till 42 days post partum in the cows of BMEF whereas it was lower in the cows of CBF. Non significantly higher mean blood glucose concentration was observed in the cows of BMEF (61.46±16 mg/dl) than the cows of CBF. The blood glucose level in both the herds was lower than as fore set range. The post partum mean NEFA concentration (0.138±0.015 mM/l) were significantly (P less than 0.01) higher than prepartum mean NEFA concentration (0.089±0.11mM/l) in BMEF cows however in CBF cows it remained same and differed non significantly. The overall mean plasma NEFA concentration in BMEF (0.116±0.010 mM/l) were significantly (P less than 0.01) higher than those of CBF (0.050±0.005 mM/l). In the cows of BMEF, NEFA value was higher than that of CBF and hence indicated a trend of reduction in BCS after calving. During prepartum period in BMEF and CBF cows, blodd glucose and plasma NEFA were negatively (with low “r”) correlated with BCS.