Abstract
BackgroundOptimal body condition in early lactation is generally accepted as a prerequisite for good reproductive performance. Examination of milk progesterone profiles offers an objective method for characterization of postpartum ovarian activity in dairy cows. The present study investigated the relationship between body condition after calving, some metabolic parameters in blood plasma, and fertility, as reflected by milk progesterone profiles in the two dairy breeds Swedish Red (SR) and Swedish Holstein (SH).ResultsMultiparous dairy cows (n = 73) of SR and SH breeds were selected and divided into three groups based on their body condition score (BCS) after parturition. Selected plasma metabolites were determined, milk progesterone profiles were identified and body condition was scored. Over-conditioned cows and atypical progesterone profiles were more common among SR cows. Insulin sensitivity was lower and IGF 1 higher among SR cows. Insulin was positively related to body condition, but not related to breed.ConclusionsAtypical progesterone profiles were more common and insulin sensitivity lower in SR than in SH cows, but the SR breed had a higher proportion of over-conditioned SR cows. It is reasonable to assume that breed differences in body condition contributed to these results.
Highlights
Optimal body condition in early lactation is generally accepted as a prerequisite for good reproductive performance
Examination of milk progesterone profiles offers an objective method for characterization of postpartum ovarian activity in dairy cows [2]
The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between body condition at calving, some metabolic parameters in blood plasma and fertility, as reflected by milk progesterone profiles in two dairy breeds (SR and Swedish Holstein (SH))
Summary
Optimal body condition in early lactation is generally accepted as a prerequisite for good reproductive performance. *Correspondence: kjell.holtenius@slu.se 1 Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7045, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden Full list of author information is available at the end of the article a higher risk of atypical progesterone profiles than Swedish Red (SR) cows [2]. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between body condition at calving, some metabolic parameters in blood plasma and fertility, as reflected by milk progesterone profiles in two dairy breeds (SR and SH).
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