• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-30
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• 1985

The study was carried out to find out the changes of the sex hormone levels in the milk of Holstein cows during the reproductive stages such as the estrous cycle, pregnancy and periparturient period. The FSH, LH, estradiol-17$\beta$ and progesterone from the milk samples were assayed by radioimmunoassay methods. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. The levels of progesterone and estradiol-17$\beta$ were similar among inter-quarters, but they were higher in after milking than before milking times, with no statistical significance. 2. The milk progesterone levels during the estrous cycles reached a peak mean level of 3.55$\pm$0.26ng/$m\ell$ at 15 days after estrus and they did not show any differences among the length of estrous cycles. The estradiol-17$\beta$ levels during the estrous cycles showed a peak level of 36.40$\pm$2.38pg/$m\ell$ at estrus, and decreased(17.20$\pm$0.46 pg/$m\ell$ to 18.65$\pm$1.26pg/$m\ell$) at luteal phase. 3. The FSH levels during the estrous cycles ranged from 2.25$\pm$0.23mIU/$m\ell$ to 4.35$\pm$0.24mIU/$m\ell$ showing significant changes. The LH levels during the estrous cycles gradually increased and remained a peak level of 10.90$\pm$0.36mIU/$m\ell$ from 20 to 25 days after estrus. 4. The progesterone levels during the pregnancy were decreased from 30 to 60 days after artificial insemination, and therafter continuously increased until 240 days. The estradiol-17$\beta$ levels during the pregnancy were 24.56$\pm$1.19pg/$m\ell$ at day 30 after artificial inseminaton, and increased rapidly until 180 days. The levles were agagin decreased by 26.17$\pm$3.03pg/$m\ell$ until 210 days and markedly increased by 68.00$\pm$8.70pg/$m\ell$ until 240 days. 5. The prolactin levels during the pregnancy were 31.27$\pm$2.31ng/$m\ell$ and 42.60$\pm$2.37ng/$m\ell$ at day 150 and 240 after artificial insemination respectively. The LH levels during the pregnancy reached a peak of 27.47$\pm$7.90mIU/$m\ell$ at day 30 after artificial insemination, and thereafter gradually decreased. 6. The progesterone levels during the periparturient period reached a peak of 4.61$\pm$0.34ng/$m\ell$ at day 3 prepartum, and thereafter gradually decreased, and showed 2.05$\pm$0.60ng/$m\ell$ at day 7 postpartum. The estradiol-17$\beta$ levels during the periparturient period showed high level from 207.23$\pm$6.04pg/$m\ell$ at day 1 prepartum to 239.90$\pm$13.90pg/$m\ell$ at day 2 prepartum, and thereafter began to decline and reached 51.87$\pm$1.72pg/$m\ell$ at by 7 postpartum. 7. The prolactin levels during the periparturient period showed relatively higher level at the time of parturition. The LH levels during the periparturient period rnage from 6.32$\pm$0.32mIU/$m\ell$ to 13.90$\pm$1.37mIU/$m\ell$ showing significant changes. 8. The progesterone levels(4.6$\pm$0.8ng/$m\ell$) of the pregnant cows were significantly higher than those (1.84$\pm$1.4ng/$m\ell$) of nonpregnant cows. The cows of artificial insemination from 61 to 90 days after parturition showed higher progesterone levels. 9. During 20 to 25 days after artificial insemination, the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis from milk progesterone levels were 94.4% for nonpregnant cows(<2.3ng/$m\ell$), and 75.0% for pregnant cows( 3.2ng/$m\ell$). The average overall accuracy of pregnancy prediction for nonpregnant and pregnant cows 83.3% 10. The results obtained this study suggest that the understanding of the endocrinological mechanisms by means of milk hormone analysis during the estrous cycle, pregnancy and parturition would give the basic information needed for increasing efficiency of reproduction. This study would not only provide an accurate method of the early pregnancy diagnosis by milk progesterone levels but also contribute to the research of providing the method of detecting of FSH levels in milk, which was difficult in blood serum.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.133-141
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• 1985

In order to establish a method predicting susceptible cows to the parturient syndrome, various serum chemical parameters (calcium, phosphorus, Ca/P, magnesium, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, A/G, total lipid, non-esterified fatty acid(NEFA) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)) were measured during late pregnancy and their relationships with periparturient diseases were investigated during puerpural period. The results obtained were as follows : 1. The factors affecting the prediction of susceptible cows to parturient syndrome were calcium, magnesium, total protein, globulin, A/G ratio and total lipid at 30 day antepartum and the diagnosability was 70.7%. 2. In the experimental cows producing more than 21kg of milk per day, the factors affecting the prediction of susceptible cows to parturient syndrome were calcium, NEFA and A/G ratio at 30 day antepartum and the diagnosability was 66.7%. 3. In the experimental cows calved more than 3 times, the factors affecting the perdiction of susceptible cows to parturient syndrome were calcium, total protein, albumin and NEFA at 30 day antepartum and the diagnosability was 83.3%.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.65-74
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• 2010

Dairy cow undergoes major adaptations in glucose and lipid metabolism to meet fetal and mammary nutrient requirements during the periparturient period. These adaptations are characterized by major changes in response to the homeostatic signal of insulin. In response to insulin, fatty acids are mobilized to meet energy demand. And cow develop insulin resistance during the late prepartum period to facilitate glucose sparing for the fetus and mammary gland. Insulin resistance is an important adaptation and may be partly responsible for the large increase in plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) that occurs prior to parturition and coincides with the characteristic decrease in dry matter intake (DMI). Modulation of insulin resistance by administration of thiazolidinedione (TZD) during the periparturient period, likely through the activation of $PPAR{\gamma}$, has substantial potential to minimize energy and immune-related metabolic disorders, and thus may result in increased productivity and improved health of dairy cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.210-211
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• 1989

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1614-1618
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• 2003

Twenty crossbred (HF${\times}$Tharparkar) dry pregnant cows were divided into four equal groups. They were supplemented with 1,000 I.U. $\alpha$-tocopheryl acetate from 0 (group I), 15 (group II), 30 (group III) and 60 (group IV) days before parturition to 1month of lactation. All the cows were kept under similar feeding and management conditions. Blood plasma samples collected on specific days were analyzed for $\alpha$-tocopherol, retinol, total antioxidant activity (FRAP), immunoglobulin and calcium. Plasma $\alpha$-tocopherol concentration at 30 days prepartum averaged 3.5, 4.1, 4.4 and $3.9{\mu}g/ml$ and decreased by 50.0, 41.4, 34.1 and 33.3 percent on the day of parturition in the four respective groups. After calving, plasma vitamin E started to recover earlier in groups II, III and IV as compared to group I. Mean plasma $\alpha$-tocopherol concentration at 21 days postpartum was significantly higher in groups II, III and IV (2.9, 3.5 and $3.1{\mu}g/ml$) compared to group I ($1.9{\mu}g/ml$) cows. Plasma retinol concentration also showed a substantial decrease in all the groups on the day of calving but recovered to its normal value at 3 weeks postpartum. Plasma total antioxidant activity averaged 901, 895, 859 and $875{\mu}mol/l$ in the four respective groups on 30 days prepartum and decreased on the day of calving in all the groups, but the decrease was less in groups III and IV. Plasma immunoglobulin concentration was higher in group IV, followed by groups III, II and I, respectively, showing better immune status of vitamin E supplemented cows due to less oxidative stress. Supplementation of vitamin E resulted in higher plasma calcium concentration. The data showed that vitamin E supplementation should be started at least 30 days prepartum to reduce oxidative stress in periparturient cows.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 1993

This study was carried out to investigate the Preventive and treatment effects of mixed compound of vitamin E and selenium, and ursodeoxycholic acid on the pre-parturient and post-parturient fatty liver of high. yielding dairy cows. Thirty pregnant dairy cows(2 weeks preparturition) were divided into clinical(13cows) and subclinical(17 cows) groups based upon blood chemical values, blood serum protein levels and clinical symptoms. The clinical group was subdivided into treated clinical group(6 cows) and non-treated clinical group(7 cows). The cows(treated clinical group) with fatty liver diagnosed before parturition were dosed with mixed compound of vitamin I(1head) and selenium(10mg/head) intramuscularly once before and after parturition, respectively. These cows(treated clinical group) were also given ursodeoxycholic acid(50g/head) intramuscularly 3 times before parturition. The cows(treated clinical group) with fatty liver diagnosed after parturition were also given the same compounds as dosed to the above cows at same dose rate once or 3 times, respectively after parturition. Blood samples were collected from the cows on 4th, 7th and 2nd day of preparturition and on 1st, 7th, 14th and 20th day of postparturition. Blood chemical values(non-esterified fatty acid : NEFA) concentration, serum aspartate aminotransferase activity, serum ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, bilirubin concentration, glucose level) were checked and clinical symptoms of the cows were also observed. 1. The cows in non-treated clinical group showed severe depression, anorexia and diarrhea from prepartum period, and retained palcenta, endometritis, ketosis, abomasal displacement and mastitis after parturition. Cows in treated clinical group showed moderate depression, anorexia, diarrhea during preparturient period, but they were relieved within a week from parturition. Cows in subclinical group showed mild depression, anorexia and diarrhea after parturition, but these symptoms were not observed in prepartum period. 2. NEFA concentration, serum aspartate aminotransferase activity, serum ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase activity and bilirubin concentration observed In the cows of treated clinical group were significantly lower than those of the cows non-treated clinical group. The blood glucose concentration of the cows in treated clinical group were higher than those of the cows in non-treated clinical group. These results indicate that the preparturient and postparturient fatty liver of high-yielding dairy cows could be reduced by dosing the animals with appropriate amounts of mixed compound of vitamin I and selenium, and ursodeoxycholic acid at proper times of the preparturition and postparturition of the dairy cows.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.869-878
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• 2023

Objective: Hyperketonemia remains a major metabolic issue of serious milk production and a major health concern in early lactation cows. Oral supplementation of glucose precursors (GP) can be used to prevent hyperketonemia in dairy cows. The objective of this study was to compare the beneficial effects of orally supplementing a mixture of GP on metabolic health indicators and milk production status of primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP) dairy cows. Methods: Twenty-eight Holstein cows were blocked by expected date of parturition, previous lactation yield, and parity. The cows were randomly allocated to one of the four treatment groups (n = 7 cows/group) based on their parity and GP supplementation: i) PP cows fed basal diet only (PP-CON), ii) PP cows with oral supplementation of GP (PP-GP), iii) MP cows fed basal diet only (MP-CON), and iv) MP cows with oral supplementation of GP (MP-GP). Glucose precursor (glycoline liquid) was orally drenched (300 mL/d) in GP cows from 7 days prepartum through 7 days postpartum. Other than GP supplementation, all cows were fed similar pre- and postpartum basal diets. Results: In both pre- and postpartum periods, serum glucose concentration was increased, whereas β-hydroxybutyrate and free fatty acids were decreased in GP cows compared with the CON cows. Milk yield and milk components were statistically not different between GP and CON cows over the first 9 week of lactation. The yield of actual milk, energy-corrected milk, 63-days cumulative milk, colostrum yield, and calf birth weight remained higher in MP cows compared with PP cows. Conclusion: Oral drenching of GP around calving can be recommended to successfully improve the metabolic health and reduce the negative effects of hyperketonemia not only in MP but also in PP dairy cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2008

Eighty-four Holstein cows were used to evaluate effects of feeding two diets that differed in dietary cation-anion difference (cationic; +28 or anionic; -138 mEq/kg DM) on prepartum and postpartum dry matter intake (DMI), body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), serum Ca concentrations and on subsequent milk production and composition. Treatments were in a $2{\times}3{\times}2$ factorial arrangement that included prepartum diet, dry period length (30 d dry, 30 d dry+estradiol cypionate (ECP), and 60 d dry), and prepartum and postpartum bST ($POSILAC^{(R)}$ 10.2 mg/d). No interaction of prepartum diet with dry period length or bST supplementation was detected for any measure evaluated either prepartum or postpartum. No significant effects of prepartum diet on prepartum DMI, BW or BCS were observed. Mean DMI during the first 28 d postpartum were similar for cows fed the cationic or anionic diets prepartum (25.5 vs. 26.1 kg/d). During postpartum wk 1 to 14, no differences in mean BW or BCS were detected due to prepartum diet fed but decreases for both groups were observed during the first 6 wk postpartum. No differences due to prepartum diet were observed for mean milk or 3.5% FCM yields or for milk composition during the first 10 wk of lactation. Similarly, mean milk yield of cows during the first 21 wk did not differ significantly due to prepartum diet fed (38.5 vs. 38.6 kg/d). Overall, cows fed the prepartum cationic or anionic diets had similar mean postpartum serum concentrations of Ca (9.34 vs. 9.35 mg/dl). Subsequent milk production, milk composition and concentrations of Ca did not differ. Importantly, the two prepartum diets were equally satisfactory in minimizing incidence of milk fever and in supporting initiation of lactation, irrespective of dry period length and supplemental ECP and bST.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.117-126
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• 1987

The effect of selenium and vitamin E on the incidence of retained fetal membranes(RFM) was evaluated in dairy cows raised in Kyonggi-do province from July through September 1985. Sodium selenite(0.1mg/kg of body weight) and vitamin E (1,000 IU) were simultaneously injected 21 days prior to the expected calving day to Holstein cows and the incidence in the treated group was compared with that in the non-treated control group. Serum levels of selenium, vitamin E, calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium were also determined in the treated and the non-treated groups to compare the status of vitamin E and other minerals during periparturient period in the cows with RFM and the normal ones. The incidence of RFM was 34.5% in cows of the non-treated group (29 heads), whereas it was significantly reduced to 9.7% in cows of the treated group (31 heads) (p<0.05). Data for serum mineral concentrations showed that the prepartal inorganic phosphorus concentration was significantly lower in the RFM than in the not-retained group(p<0.01). As a result, the prepartal Ca/P ratio was significantly higher in the RFM group(p<0.01). It appears that a single injection of 0.1mg of sodium selenite per kg body weight and 1,000 IU of vitamin E 21 days prior to the expected calving day is an effective prophylactic for prevention of RFM, and that RFM may be related to imbalances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.57-59
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• 2012

In this study, we investigate the status of calcium (Ca) homeostasis at parturition in three dairy farms (I, II, and III), Heilongjiang, China. Twenty multiparous Holstein cows from each farm were randomly assigned to this experiment. The dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) was 91 mEq/kg of DM for farm I, 152 mEq/kg of DM for farm II, and 85 mEq/kg of DM for farm III. Incidence of hypocalcemia was above 75% and urine pH was above 7.25 at calving in each farm. Compared to other farms, cows in farm II that fed the greatest positive DCAD had the lowest concentration of serum Ca, the highest concentration of serum PTH, and the greatest urine pH at calving (p < 0.05). However, there was not significant difference in serum 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D and hydroxyproline concentration of the cows among three farms. This is the first study to confirm that hypocalcemia is very prevalent at calving in Chinese dairy farms, and the high positive DCAD is a major risk factor that results in hypocalcemia at calving, which may reduce ability of the cow to maintain Ca homeostasis.