Effect of prepartum dietary energy sources on productive and reproductive performance in Nili Ravi buffaloes

Feeding of dietary energy sources has been extensively studied in dairy cows but not well described in dairy buffaloes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of prepartum dietary energy sources on productive and reproductive performance in Nili Ravi buffaloes (n = 21). The buffaloes were offered isocaloric (1.55 Mcal/kg DM NE_L (net energy for lactation)) glucogenic (GD), lipogenic (LD), and mixed diet (MD) during 63 days prepartum and maintained (1.27 Mcal/kg DM NE_L) at lactation diet (LCD) during 14 weeks postpartum. Effects of dietary energy sources and week on animals were analyzed with the mixed model. The DMI, BCS, and body weights remained similar during the pre- and postpartum periods. The prepartum diets did not affect birth weight, blood metabolites, milk yield, and composition. The GD tended to early uterine involution, more follicle numbers, and early follicle formation. The prepartum feeding of dietary energy source had a similar effect on first estrus expression, days open, conception rate, pregnancy rate, and calving interval. So, it could be concluded that prepartum feeding of an isocaloric dietary energy source had a similar effect on the performance of buffaloes.

Effects of dietary energy density and feeding strategy during the dry period on feed intake, energy balance, milk production, and blood metabolites of Holstein cows

Our study aimed to assess the effects of dietary energy density and strategy of delivery during the dry period on production and metabolic responses of Holstein cows free of displacement of abomasum, retained placenta, metritis, or hypocalcemia. Twenty-seven multiparous cows dried-off 50 d before calving were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: a controlled energy, high-fiber diet [CE; 1.39 Mcal net energy for lactation (NE_L)/kg of dry matter (DM)] formulated to supply 100% of the NE_L requirement at ad libitum intake; or a higher energy diet (1.58 Mcal/kg) fed either at ad libitum (HE) or restricted (RE) intake to supply ∼150 or 80% of the NE_L requirements, respectively. After calving, all cows were fed the same lactation diet. Cows were individually fed and remained in the study until 28 d postpartum. Data were analyzed using 2 contrasts: CE versus HE (effect of diet composition in cows fed for ad libitum DM intake) and HE versus RE (effect of ad libitum or restricted intake of the same diet). Prepartum intakes of DM and NE_L as well as energy balance (EB), were greater for HE than CE and greater for HE than RE. Body weight (BW) gain was higher in HE than in RE, but CE and HE did not differ. Change in body condition score did not differ between CE and HE or HE and RE. Postpartum intakes of DM and NE_L, EB, BW, body condition score, calf birth BW, milk yield, and milk components did not differ between CE and HE or HE and RE. Concentrations of glucose, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, Ca, and Mg pre- and postpartum did not differ among diets. Although sample size was low, dry period plane of energy intake affected prepartum DM intake, EB, and BW gain but did not affect postpartum intakes of DM and NE_L, yields of milk and milk components, or blood metabolites in healthy cows.

Effect of Prepartum Dietary Energy Level on Production and Reproduction in Nili Ravi Buffaloes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of prepartum dietary energy level on postpartum production and reproduction in Nili Ravi buffaloes (n = 21). The buffaloes were offered low energy (LE: 1.31 Mcal/kg DM NEL (net energy for lactation)), medium energy (ME: 1.42 Mcal/kg DM NEL) or high energy (HE: 1.54 Mcal/kg DM NEL) diet for 63 days prepartum, and received the same lactation diet (LD: 1.22 Mcal/kg DM NEL) during 14 weeks postpartum. The effects of dietary energy level and week were analyzed with Proc GLIMMIX model. Dry matter intake (DMI) was lower in buffaloes fed the LE diet compared with buffaloes fed the ME or HE diet. Calf birth weight (CBW) was higher in buffaloes fed the HE diet compared with buffaloes fed the ME or LE diet. Milk production was similar in buffaloes fed the HE, ME or LE diet within 14 weeks postpartum and throughout the lactation. Milk fat was higher in buffaloes fed the LE diet compared with buffaloes fed the ME or HE diet. Milk protein and lactose yields was high in buffaloes fed the HE diet compared with buffaloes fed the ME or LE diet. Body condition score was high in HE and was affected by diet × week interactions during pre and postpartum period. The concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and triglycerides in serum was lowest in buffaloes fed the HE diet compared with the buffaloes fed the ME or LE diet. The buffaloes fed the HE diet had early uterine involution (UI), first estrus, short dry days, and calving interval (CI) compared with buffaloes fed the ME or LE diet. None of buffaloes fed the LE diet exhibited estrus during the first 14 weeks postpartum compared with buffaloes fed the ME or HE diet. In conclusion, prepartum feeding of high energy diet can be helpful in improving the postpartum productive and reproductive performance in Nili Ravi buffaloes.

Nutritional condition in the dry period is related to the incidence of postpartum subclinical endometritis in dairy cattle

Objective

Endometritis is a major disease, that causes infertility in cattle, and is usually categorized as clinical or subclinical endometritis (SCE). The nutritional condition during the dry period is important for recovery after the last stage of the lactation period, and for postpartum production and reproduction. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between nutritional and metabolic characteristics in the dry period, and the risk of postpartum SCE.

Methods

Multiparous Holstein dairy cows (n = 25, raised in a tied stall) were used. Endometrial cytological analysis was performed around 30 days post-partum, with 5% to 14% polymorphonuclear (PMN) as a cut-off point to define SCE. Serum levels of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were measured in the cows at the dry period to evaluate energy status, protein metabolism, and mineral metabolism.

Results

The incidence of SCE in the cows was 60.0% (n = 15/25) and the mean PMN% in postpartum cows diagnosed as SCE was 8.05%±2.6%. Overall, 17 and 8 samples were collected from the cows in the far-off and close-up periods, respectively. The serum concentration of BHBA in the far-off period and serum glucose concentration in the close-up period were correlated with postpartum PMN% (r = 0.62, p<0.01; r = −0.74, p<0.05, respectively). Serum levels of calcium and magnesium in the dry period were associated with the incidence of postpartum SCE (healthy vs SCE cows, p<0.05).

Conclusion

Blood levels of glucose, BHBA, calcium, and magnesium in dry periods could be useful parameters for predicting the risk of postpartum SCE. The present study also suggests that management in the close-up period is essential for promoting recovery from calving fatigue.

Symposium review: Nutrition strategies for improved health, production, and fertility during the transition period

Dairy cow nutritional programs are a major determinant of the profitability of dairy farms. Despite this, the sustainability of the dairy enterprise is beyond just cow nutrition. For almost 50 yr, the NC-2042 project (Management Systems to Improve the Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Dairy Enterprises) has been addressing most of these components as individual research units and in integrated ways. This review has the objective to report the body of research developed by members of the group in connection with the existing literature on dietary formulation and feeding management during the dry period, peripartal period, and early postpartum (fresh) period. Peak disease incidence (shortly after parturition) corresponds with the time of greatest negative energy balance (NEB), the peak in blood concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids, and the greatest acceleration of milk yield. Decreased fertility in the face of increasing milk production may be attributable to greater severity of postpartal NEB resulting from inadequate transition management or increased rates of disease. The depth and duration of NEB is highly related to dry matter intake. Periparturient diseases can result from adverse ruminal conditions caused by excessive grain in the precalving or fresh cow diet, perhaps aggravated by overcrowding, heat stress, or other stressors. Others have also implicated inflammatory responses in alterations of metabolism, occurrence of health problems, and impaired reproduction. Providing controlled-energy and negative dietary cation-anion difference diets prepartum may improve dairy cow performance during the transition period. A major area of concern in the fresh cow period is a sudden increase in dietary energy density leading to subacute ruminal acidosis, which can decrease dry matter intake and digestibility of nutrients. Adequate physical form of the diet, derived from either forage neutral detergent fiber content or a mixing strategy of different ingredients in a total mixed ration, must be present to stimulate ruminal activity and chewing behavior. In conclusion, formulation and delivery of appropriate diets that limit total energy intake to requirements but also provide proper intakes of all other nutrients (including the most limiting amino acids Met and Lys) before calving can help lessen the extent of NEB after calving. Effects of such diets on indicators of metabolic health are generally positive, suggesting the potential to lessen effects of periparturient disease on fertility.

Gene expression profiles in bovine granulocytes reflect the aberration of liver functions

Liver performs several important functions; however, predicting its functions is difficult. Methods of analyzing gene expression profiles, for example, microarray, provide functional information of tissues. Liver and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) were collected from Holstein cows subjected to two different physiological conditions (non-pregnant and pregnant), and PBLs were fractionated by gradient cell separation. RNA from PBLs and liver were applied to oligo-DNA microarray and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). It revealed a group of stable bovine liver genes under constant physiological conditions. When they applied to physiological conditions including non-pregnant and pregnant, the profiles of some genes in liver were consistent with those in PBLs. Microarray data subjected to a principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the hepatic gene expression profiles were more consistent with those of granulocytes than mononuclear cells. The relationship of gene profiles in liver with granulocytes was confirmed by RT-qPCR and hierarchical cluster analysis. Gene profiles of granulocytes were more reliable than those of mononuclear cells, which reflected liver functions. These results suggest that the genes expressed in PBLs, particularly granulocytes, may be convenient bioindicators for the diagnosis of clinical disorder and/or detecting aberration of liver functions in cows subjected to different physiological conditions.

Effects of energy density in close-up diets and postpartum supplementation of extruded full-fat soybean on lactation performance and metabolic and hormonal status of dairy cows

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of energy density (ED) in the close-up period and supplementation of extruded full-fat soybean (ESB) during the first 4 wk after parturition on intake, body weight (BW), metabolic status, and performance of dairy cows. Fifty-seven Chinese Holstein cows with similar parity, previous 305-d milk yield, and expected calving date were dried off at -60 d relative to parturition and fed the standard herd dry-cow diet until -21 d relative to parturition. Energy density at low (LED, 1.25 Mcal/kg), medium (MED, 1.41 Mcal/kg) or high (HED, 1.55 Mcal/kg) levels of the close-up diets and postpartum supplementation of ESB at 0 kg/d (control, CON) or 1.5 kg/d (TRT) were used in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. All cows received the same CON diet from wk 5 to wk 8. As ED increased in the close-up diet, cows had higher dry matter intake and gained more BW and body condition score, and consequently were in improved energy balance status during the prepartum period, but lost more BW and more body condition score during the first 8 wk of lactation. Compared with LED cows, HED cows had higher blood concentrations of insulin and glucose, and lower nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) prepartum, but had lower insulin concentration, higher leptin concentration and tended to have higher NEFA concentration postpartum. Milk production was not affected by the prepartum ED, although HED cows produced approximately 2 kg/d less milk than MED and LED cows during early lactation. Postpartum ESB supplementation elevated blood glucagon concentration regardless of prepartum ED during the first 4 wk of lactation. Interactive effects between prepartum ED and postpartum ESB supplementation were observed in blood concentrations of insulin, NEFA, bilirubin, total protein, albumin, and globulin. During early lactation, TRT decreased globulin concentrations in MED cows, and reduced NEFA and bilirubin concentrations in HED cows. Compared with CON, TRT cows had higher yields of milk (34.32 vs. 36.53 kg/d), milk lactose (1.63 vs. 1.74 kg/d), and solids-nonfat (2.98 vs. 3.18 kg/d), tended to have a greater yield of milk protein (1.11 vs. 1.17 kg/d), but tended to have lower milk fat percentage (4.18 vs. 3.94%) during the first 4 wk of lactation. In conclusion, compared with feeding the HED diet, feeding the LED diet during the close-up dry period had positive carryover effects on metabolism and production during early lactation, and the MED diet showed no advantage over the LED diet. Extruded full-fat soybean supplementation during the first 4 wk of lactation had positive effects on postpartum metabolic status, especially for those receiving the MED or HED diet prepartum, and resulted in an overall improved milk production during early lactation.

Prepartum and postpartum nutritional management to optimize fertility in high-yielding dairy cows in confined TMR systems

The 6 to 8-week period centered on parturition, known as the transition or periparturient period, is critical to welfare and profitability of individual cows. Fertility of high-producing cows is compromised by difficult transitions. Deficiencies in either nutritional or non-nutritional management increase risk for periparturient metabolic disorders and infectious diseases, which decrease subsequent fertility. A primary factor impeding fertility is the extent of negative energy balance (NEB) early postpartum, which may inhibit timing of first ovulation, return to cyclicity, and oocyte quality. In particular, pronounced NEB during the first 10 days to 2 weeks (the time of greatest occurrence of health problems) is critical for later reproductive efficiency. Avoiding over-conditioning and preventing cows from over-consuming energy relative to their requirements in late gestation result in higher dry matter intake (DMI) and less NEB after calving. A pooled statistical analysis of previous studies in our group showed that days to pregnancy are decreased (by 10 days) by controlling energy intake to near requirements of cows before calving compared with allowing cows to over-consume energy. To control energy intake, total mixed rations (TMR) must be well balanced for metabolizable protein, minerals and vitamins yet limit total DM consumed, and cows must uniformly consume the TMR without sorting. Dietary management to maintain blood calcium and rumen health around and after calving also are important. Opportunities may exist to further improve energy status in fresh cows. Recent research to manipulate the glucogenic to lipogenic balance and the essential fatty acid content of tissues are intriguing. High-producing cows that adapt successfully to lactation can have high reproductive efficiency, and nutritional management of the transition period both pre- and post-calving must facilitate that adaptation.

Dietary energy density in the dry period on the metabolic status of lactating cows

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of different energy concentrations in the isonitrogenous diet fed during the dry period on postpartum health, fertility and blood variables. Forty Holstein multiparous cows were dried 56 days before the expected day of calving and assigned to group (M) with moderate energy concentrations of 0.69 UFL/kg DM or to the low-energy group (L) with energy density of 0.61 UFL/kg DM. From the 7d before the expected day of calving until the 21d of lactation, all the cows were fed the same fresh transition diet (0.82 UFL/kg DM). From the 22d to the 90d of lactation, all the cows received the same highest energy-density lactation diet (0.90 UFL/kg DM). During the dry period the decline of BCS in groups M and L were 0.07 and 0.12 units respectively. The average decrease of BCS from calving to 56 d of lactation were the same in both experimental groups (0.21 BCS). The first-service conception rate tended to be higher in the M group. Insulin-like growth factor-1, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, non-esterified fatty acid, thyroxine serum concentrations prepartum and 3 and 5d postpartum were not significantly affected by the treatment in the dry period.

Prepartal dietary energy alters transcriptional adaptations of the liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue of dairy cows during the transition period

Overfeeding during the dry period may predispose cows to increased insulin resistance (IR) with enhanced postpartum lipolysis. We studied gene expression in the liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of 16 Finnish Ayrshire dairy cows fed either a controlled energy diet [Con, 99 MJ/day metabolizable energy (ME)] during the last 6 wk of the dry period or high-energy diet (High, 141 MJ/day ME) for the first 3 wk and then gradually decreasing energy allowance during 3 wk to 99 MJ/day ME before the expected parturition. Tissue biopsies were collected at -10, 1, and 9 days, and blood samples at -10, 1, and 7 days relative to parturition. Overfed cows had greater dry matter, crude protein, and ME intakes and ME balance before parturition. Daily milk yield, live weight, and body condition score were not different between treatments. The High cows tended to have greater plasma insulin and lower glucagon/insulin ratio compared with Con cows. No differences in circulating glucose, glucagon, nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, and hepatic triglyceride contents were observed between treatments. Overfeeding compared with Con resulted in lower CPT1A and PCK1 and a tendency for lower G6PC and PC expression in the liver. The High group tended to have lower RETN expression in SAT than Con. No other effects of overfeeding on the expression of genes related to IR in SAT were observed. In conclusion, overfeeding energy prepartum may have compromised hepatic gluconeogenic capacity and slightly affected IR in SAT based on gene expression.

Effects of feeding wheat straw or orchardgrass at ad libitum or restricted intake during the dry period on postpartum performance and lipid metabolism

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of forage source [wheat straw (WS) or orchardgrass hay (OG)] and total amount of diet dry matter fed [ad libitum or restricted to 70% of predicted dry matter intake (DMI)] prepartum on postpartum performance. The study design was a 2×2 factorial design with 10 cows per treatment. Treatments were WS total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum, OG TMR ad libitum, WS TMR restricted, and OG TMR restricted. The WS TMR (dry matter basis) contained 30% WS, 20.7% corn silage, 10.0% alfalfa hay, 18.2% ground corn, 16.8% soybean meal, and 4.3% molasses mineral mix (14.7% CP, 1.5 Mcal/kg of net energy for lactation, 37.0% neutral detergent fiber). The OG TMR contained 30% OG, 46.2% corn silage, 10.0% alfalfa hay, 9.5% soybean meal, and 4.3% molasses (14.2% CP, 1.5 Mcal/kg of net energy for lactation, 41.0% neutral detergent fiber). Cows received 1 lactation diet after calving (17.7% CP, 1.6 Mcal/kg of net energy for lactation, 27.3% neutral detergent fiber). Total diet DMI prepartum was higher for ad libitum than for restricted as designed, but forage source had no effect on DMI. Total tract apparent digestibilities of DM and NDF were greater for OG than for WS. Postpartum DMI expressed as a percentage of body weight for the first week of lactation was higher for ad libitum than for restricted diets. Postpartum DMI during the first 30 d of lactation was higher for OG than for WS, but no effect was observed for the amount fed prepartum. Milk yield during the first week of lactation was higher for OG than for WS; however, during the first 30 d, 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield and yield of milk fat were highest for OG TMR restricted and WS TMR ad libitum. Prepartum treatments had a limited effect on pre- and postpartum lipid metabolism; however, cows fed WS TMR ad libitum had the highest postpartum β-hydroxybutyrate. Eating behavior was observed by 10-min video scans of 24-h video surveillance for 5d pre- and postpartum. Prepartum eating time and eating bouts tended to be greater by WS than for OG, and postpartum eating time per kilogram of neutral detergent fiber intake tended to be greater for WS than for OG. Results indicate that forage source and amount of DM fed prepartum affected postpartum performance and tended to alter the behavior of cows in tie-stall barns.