• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 1998

Plasma and milk samples of 24 periparturient Holstein cows were collected from 1 week prepartum to 10 week postpartum to measure the effects of parity on mineral status in periparturient cows. Cows were fed mainly mixed ration with the concentrate supplement during the experimental period to meet nutrient requirement of dairy cattle for TDN, protein, and minerals, Plasma Ca of cows decrease as parity increased, but plasma Mg, K, Fe and Zn were lowest in the first lactation cows. Plasma inorganic P, Na, and alkaline phosphatase were not affected by the parity. Plasma Ca, Fe and Zn of cows decreased at parturition, but plasma Mg increase. Plasma Ca of the first, second and third and more lactation cows at parturition were 9.65, 8.96, and 8.92 mg/dl, respectively. Colostral Ca, P, Mg, Na, and Zn were highest in the first lactation cows, although colostrum yield was lower. Milk yield from 1 to 10 weeks postpartum was lowest in the first lactation cows, but mineral concentrations in milk were not affected by the parity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 1993

This study examined the incidence of disease and blood biochemical values in 68 Holstein cattle during the a month period after parturition. In order to compare the blood biochemical values, the animals were divided into 2 groups of prepartum and 4 groups of postpartum according to the blood collecting day, respectively. The results compared postpartum with prepartum were obtained as follows : the incidences of displacement of abomasum, culled and retained placenta were 11.8%. 13.2% and 8.8%, respectively. In the normal group(pre and post parturition group), NEFA and bilirubin were increased. Triglyceride and cholesterol were significantly lower than In the pre-parturition group, and total lipid was decreased. In the disease group, displacement of abomasum was significantly higher than in the normal group in the levels of NEFA, triglyceride and bilirubin. Culled was significantly higher than in the normal group in the levels of NEFA, AST and bilirubin. but lower than in the normal group in the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol. Retained placenta was significantly higher than in the normal group in the levels of NEFA and bilirubin, but lower than in the normal group in the levels of triglyceride.

• 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.43 no.4
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• pp.15-20
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• 2009

The transition from pregnancy to lactation, commonly referred to as the "transition period" is characterized by dramatic changes in metabolic processes and their regulation in order to prepare the dairy cow for parturition and lactogenesis. An important adaptation to lactation is the increase in gluconeogenesis by the liver to meet the tremendous increase in demand of glucose for lactose synthesis, and the accumulation of lipid in adipose tissue during pregnancy, its mobilization that begins prior to lactation and the dramatic increase in plasma NEFA concentration early lactation. Epinephrine and insulin, the homeostatic regulators of metabolism are responsible for the adaptations of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in support of milk production along with mobilization of body fat to meet overall energy demands because dry matter intake is insufficient to meet these demands during early lactation.

• 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.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1406-1415
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• 2013

The study was conducted to correlate the periparturient immune status in terms of neutrophil functions and cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture with impending postpartum reproductive disorders in buffaloes. Forty pregnant buffaloes were observed for occurrence of postpartum reproductive disorders (PRD), i.e., metritis, endometritis and delayed uterine involution etc., during one week prepartum to four weeks postpartum period. A representative number (n = 6) of buffaloes that did not develop any PRD were included in group I (healthy, control), while the animals which experienced PRD were assigned into group II (PRD, n = 8). The blood samples were collected at weekly interval from one week prepartum to four weeks postpartum period considering the day of calving as 'd 0'. Differential leucocytes counts, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production activity in isolated neutrophils and the mRNA expression profile of cytokines i.e., IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in PBMC culture were studied in all the samples. A higher total leucocytes, neutrophil and band cells count along with impaired neutrophil functions i.e., lowered level of production of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide before parturition and during early postpartum period were observed in buffaloes developing PRD. Further, a lower expression of IL-2, IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-4 mRNA in PBMC culture was observed at calving in buffaloes that subsequently developed PRD at later postpartum. Thus, suppression in neutrophil function and cytokine expression at prepartum to early postpartum period predisposes the buffaloes to develop postpartum reproductive disorders. Hence, monitoring of neutrophils function and cytokine expression profile would be effective to predict certain reproductive disorders at late pregnancy or immediately after parturition in buffaloes. In future, this may be a novel approach for determining suitable management and therapeutic decisions for prevention of commonly occurring reproductive disorders in farm animals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.486-495
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• 2012

Twenty four periparturient cows were used to determine the effects of DCAD on acid-base balance, plasma and urine mineral concentrations, health status, and subsequent lactation performance. Each group of 12 cows received either a diet containing -100 DCAD or +100 DCAD for 21 d prepartum. Both anionic and cationic groups were divided into two groups, one received a +200 DCAD and the other +400 DCAD diet for 60 d postpartum. Prepartum reduction of DCAD decreased DMI, urinary and blood pH, urinary concentrations of Na or K and increased plasma and urinary Ca, Mg, Cl and S. Also cows fed -100 DCAD diet consumed the most dry matter in the first 60 d after calving. Postpartum +400 DCAD increased milk fat and total solid percentages, urinary and blood pH and urinary Na and K concentrations, but urinary Ca, P, Cl and S contents decreased. Greater DMI, FCM yields were observed in cows fed a diet of +400 DCAD than +200 DCAD. No case of milk fever occurred for any diets but feeding with a negative DCAD diet reduced placenta expulsion time. In conclusion, feeding negative DCAD in late gestation period and high DCAD in early lactation improves performance and productivity of dairy cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2006

The effect of vitamin E supplementation on plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol level, total antioxidant level and reproductive performance in Murrah buffaloes was studied during periparturient period. Twenty-four advance pregnant buffaloes were randomly divided into four equal groups as $T_1$, $T_2$, $T_3$ and $T_4$ and were supplemented with 0, 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 IU of ${\alpha}$-tocopheryl acetate (Merck) from 60 days prepartum to 30 days postpartum and 0, 500, 750 and 1,000 IU from 30 to 60 days postpartum, respectively. Blood samples were collected at -60, -45, -30, -15, -7, 0, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days of parturition and were analyzed for plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and total antioxidant activity (TAA). The intake of DM, CP and TDN did not vary among different groups. Plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and TAA around parturition (-7 to 15 day) in $T_3$ and $T_4$ were significantly higher than the control group. There was 17% reduction in retention of fetal membranes (RFM) and metritis in $T_4$ than control. The post partum estrus interval averaged 58.00, 55.33, 51.83 and 43.00 days in $T_1$, $T_2$, $T_3$ and $T_4$ respectively. There was significant reduction in days open in both $T_3$ and $T_4$ in comparison to $T_1$ group (127,130 Vs.146). All the vitamin E supplemented groups showed reduction in days open than their previous lactation performance. Supplementation of vitamin E at $1,500IU\;d^{-1}$ from 60 day prepartum to 30 day post partum to buffaloes exhibited beneficial effect on plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol level and TAA around parturition and continuation of its supplementation at $1,000IU\;d^{-1}$ from 30 to 60 days of lactation improved post partum reproductive performance of buffaloes.

• 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.

• 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.