Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of the body condition score, acute phase proteins (serum amyloid A and haptoglobin) and their relationships in dairy cows of the Slovak Pied Cattle from 3 weeks before parturition to 9 weeks after parturition. Significant differences were found in the means of serum amyloid A (P < 0.01). Haptoglobin concentrations increased from 172.0 ± 0.05 µg/ml to 173.0 ± 0.13 µg/ ml at week 3 and week 1 before the parturition, respectively. The highest value of haptoglobin was recorded in cows 3 week post partum. Cows during the early postparturient period had significantly higher serum amyloid A concentrations compared to cows in the prepartal period (P < 0.01). Significantly higher body condition score values were observed in dry cows (from 4.42 ± 0.20 to 4.25 ± 0.15 points) than in cows after parturition (from 3.90 ± 0.12 to 3.25 ± 0.08 points) (P < 0.001). In the assessment of correlations between the selected acute phase proteins significant positive correlation was found (r = 0.213, P < 0.05). Moreover, negative correlations were found between the body condition score and acute phase proteins. Our results show a strong relationship between the decrease of the body condition score and the increase of acute phase proteins in dairy cows around parturition which indicates the process of a certain form of non-specific inflammation at loss of body fat.
Highlights
The time around parturition is the most important and difficult period for high-yielding dairy cows, which is characterized by a high incidence of metabolic, infectious, and reproductive disorders (Kelton et al 1998)
The concentrations of haptoglobin ante partum increased from 172.0 ± 0.05 μg/ml (Group 1) to 173.0 ± 0.13 μg/ml (Group 2)
Hp was found to be gradually decreasing from 192.0 ± 0.33 μg/ml (Group 3) to 107.0 ± 0.13 μg/ml (Group 6) with the highest mean value in cows 3 weeks post partum (Group 4), the difference was non-significant
Summary
The time around parturition (periparturient period) is the most important and difficult period for high-yielding dairy cows, which is characterized by a high incidence of metabolic, infectious, and reproductive disorders (Kelton et al 1998). It spans from 3 weeks ante partum to 3 weeks post partum, and is defined as the change from a gestational non-lactating state to a non-gestational lactating state (Contreras and Sordillo 2011). Metabolic and hormonal changes associated with the acceleration of milk yield during the transition period may directly or indirectly compromise the immune system, including the initiation of the production of acute phase proteins (APPs), and increase susceptibility to metabolic and infectious diseases (Vargova et al 2015). The objective of this study was to examine the concentrations of serum amyloid-A and haptoglobin; changes of the BCS as well as the relationships between the SAA, Hp and BCS in dairy cattle during ante partum and post partum periods
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