Effects of Hyperketonemia within the First Six Weeks of Lactation on Milk Production and Reproductive Performance

Ruoff J,Heuwieser W,Borchardt S,Mahrt A

doi:10.4172/2329-888x.1000165

Abstract

Hyperketonemia is a common disease in early lactating dairy cows and diagnosed by measurement of blood β- hydroxybutyric acid. The objectives of our study were to describe the occurrence of hyperketonemia within the first six weeks of lactation and to evaluate the effects of hyperketonemia on milk production (1st test day milk yield and 100 DIM milk yield), reproductive performance (time to first service, first service conception risk, and time to pregnancy within 200 DIM) and early lactation culling risk. A total of 655 Holstein dairy cows from 6 commercial dairy farms in Germany were enrolled between 1 and 4 DIM. Cows were tested twice weekly using an electronic handheld meter for β-hydroxybutyric acid for an examination period of 42 days resulting in 12 test results per cow. Hyperketonemia was defined as a β- hydroxybutyric acid concentration ≥ 1.2 mmol/l. The onset of hyperketonemia was described as early onset (first hyperketonemia event within the first 2 weeks postpartum) and late onset (first hyperketonemia event in week 3 to 6 postpartum). Prevalence and incidence of hyperketonemia were assessed based on the 12 examinations. Cumulative incidence of hyperketonemia was 48% and 72% for primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. Mean prevalence was 17.5%. Early onset ketotic cows had a higher 1st test day milk yield (+3.0 kg/d, P<0.001) and 100 DIM milk production (+301.6 kg; P<0.001) compared to non-ketotic cows. There was no effect of late onset of ketosis on milk production. There were no effects of hyperketonemia on reproductive performance and culling risk, irrespective of onset of ketosis.

Highlights

The objectives of our study were to describe the occurrence of hyperketonemia within the first six weeks of lactation and to evaluate the effects of hyperketonemia on milk production (1st test day milk yield and 100 days in milk (DIM) milk yield), reproductive performance and early lactation culling risk
The transition period of dairy cows is often accompanied by hyperketonemia (HYK) caused by a poor adaptation to negative energy balance [1]
Of 655 cows enrolled in the trial, 34 (5.2%) were excluded from analysis as described above; 621 cows remained for final analysis

Summary

Introduction

The transition period of dairy cows is often accompanied by hyperketonemia (HYK) caused by a poor adaptation to negative energy balance [1]. Negative energy balance (NEB) is a result of an imbalance between energy input and output because the energy requirements for milk production and maintenance exceed the available energy from feed intake [2]. Type I ketosis was described as spontaneous or underfeeding ketosis. It occurs 3 to 6 weeks postpartum when milk secretion is so extensive that the demand for glucose exceeds the capacity for gluconeogenesis in the liver. The plasma levels of glucose and insulin are low; the levels of ketone bodies are high. Type II generally occurs earlier in lactation as a result of insulin resistance and excessive body fat mobilization prior to or at calving and is known as “fat cow syndrome”. Blood insulin and glucose concentrations are high, whereas blood ketone concentrations are lower in type II ketosis than in type I [3,5]

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