Abstract
Simple SummaryIn dairy cows, the management of the dry period should optimize milk production and limit impact on metabolic health. In early lactation, there is little information on the effect of the dry-period diet composition on the production and composition of milk and the blood metabolites. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different dry-period diets on the blood metabolites of dairy cows during the peripartum period and the milk yield and fatty acid profile at onset of lactation. This study showed that different dry-period diets can be used without impact on milk production and composition when these diets cover the needs of dairy cows. However, blood metabolites were more sensitive to the diet offered during the dry period. In early lactation, a dry-period diet based on corn and grass silages allowed a smooth transition with better rumen and liver function parameters.The objective of this work was to observe the effect of three different dry-period diets on blood metabolites (p = 9) and the production and fatty acid (FA) profile of milk (p = 19) in the peripartum period. In this study, 32 Holstein dairy cows, during their dry period, were divided in 3 different diet groups, as follows: the CONC diet (n = 11) was based on concentrate meal and straw, the CORN diet (n = 11) was based on corn silage, and the MIXED diet (n = 10) was based on corn and grass silages. According to our results, the variations of C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), NEFA/cholesterol ratio, and albumin were significantly (p < 0.05) different, according to the dry diet. The dry-period diet also had a significant effect on the concentrations of urea and vitamin B12 in the blood. In early lactation, this work showed that blood metabolites were more sensitive to changes in the dry diet than the production and FA profile of milk.
Highlights
The dry period plays a key role in preparations for calving as well as the milk production and health of dairy cows [1]
The negative energy balance (NEB) stimulates fat mobilization to compensate for the limited feed intake in the form of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and, in some cases, subsequent accumulation of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in the blood [4]
In early lactation (i.e., < 30 days in milk (DIM)), five dairy cows were treated for mastitis (CONC = 1, corn silage (CORN) = 2, and MIXED = 2) and one cow from MIXED treatment was treated for a milk fever
Summary
The dry period plays a key role in preparations for calving as well as the milk production and health of dairy cows [1] Adequate management of this period optimizes the development of the mammary gland and fetus in the last month of pregnancy, as well as the milk production of the lactation, and has an impact on cows’ metabolic health and reproductive performance [1]. During this period, dairy cows restore their body reserves, and repair and regenerate the alveolar system in the mammary gland [2] to anticipate the needs of the lactation. Due to the increase in energetic needs, hepatic gluconeogenesis is stimulated to increase glucose supply
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