Abstract
The periparturient period is the period from three weeks before calving to three weeks post-calving. This period is important in terms of health, productivity and profitability, and is fundamental to successful lactation. During this period, the animal experiences stress because of hormonal changes due to pregnancy and the significant rise in milk production. In addition, a negative energy balance usually occurs, because the demand for nutrients to sustain milk production increases by more than the nutrient supply during the periparturient period. The immunity of dairy cattle is suppressed around parturition, which increases their susceptibility to infections. Special care regarding nutrition can reduce the risks of metabolism and immunity depression, which dairy cattle face during the periparturient span. Folic acid is relevant in this regard because of its critical role in the metabolism to maintain lactational performance and to improve health. Being a donor of one-carbon units, folic acid has a vital role in DNA and RNA biosynthesis. Generally, the folic acid requirements of dairy cattle can be met by the microbial synthesis in the rumen; however, in special cases, such as during the periparturient period, the requirement for this vitamin strictly increases. Vitamin B12 also has a critical role in the metabolism as a coenzyme of the enzyme methionine synthase for the transfer of a methyl group from folic acid to homocysteine for the regeneration of methionine. In the current review, we highlight the issues facing periparturient dairy cattle, and relevant knowledge and practices, and point out future research directions for utilization of the associated vitamins in ruminants, especially during the periparturient period.
Highlights
The periparturient period is the time span from 3 weeks prepartum until 3 weeks postpartum [1], and is crucial for the reproductive and productive competency of dairy cattle [2]
This review showed that controversy remains regarding the influence of folic acid and vitamin
Based on the cited literature, we concluded that the periparturient period is vital in dairy cattle; special managemental care, including balanced intake of folic acid and vitamin B12, is needed
Summary
The periparturient period is the time span from 3 weeks prepartum until 3 weeks postpartum [1], and is crucial for the reproductive and productive competency of dairy cattle [2]. The peripartum period is characterized by a negative energy balance, immune suppression, and increased susceptibility. The negative energy balance in periparturient cattle mainly develops due to a rapid increase in milk production during early lactation and dry matter intake depression [4,5]. The feed intake increases soon after calving, due to the high demand for milk production, the animal continues to be affected by a shortage of energy, which leads to a negative energy balance [6,7]. The periparturient period is considered an infection-prone period for dairy cattle [11]
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