• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.27.1-27.15
• /
• 2023

Background: The relationships between the postpartum subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) occurrence and predicted bacterial functions during the periparturient period are still not clear in Holstein cows. Objectives: The present study was performed to investigate the alterations of rumen fermentation, bacterial community structure, and predicted bacterial functional pathways in Holstein cows. Methods: Holstein cows were divided into the SARA (n = 6) or non-SARA (n = 4) groups, depending on whether they developed SARA during the first 2 weeks after parturition. Reticulo-ruminal pH was measured continuously during the study period. Reticulo-ruminal fluid samples were collected 3 weeks prepartum, and 2 and 6 weeks postpartum, and blood samples were collected 3 weeks before, 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks postpartum. Results: The postpartum decline in 7-day mean reticulo-ruminal pH was more severe and longer-lasting in the SARA group compared with the non-SARA group. Changes in predicted functional pathways were identified in the SARA group. A significant upregulation of pathway "PWY-6383" associated with Mycobacteriaceae species was identified at 3 weeks after parturition in the SARA group. Significantly identified pathways involved in denitrification (DENITRIFICATION-PWY and PWY-7084), detoxification of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (PWY1G-0), and starch degradation (PWY-622) in the SARA group were downregulated. Conclusions: The postpartum SARA occurrence is likely related to the predicted functions of rumen bacterial community rather than the alterations of rumen fermentation or fluid bacterial community structure. Therefore, our result suggests the underlying mechanisms, namely functional adaptation of bacterial community, causing postpartum SARA in Holstein cows during the periparturient period.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.117-122
• /
• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of pelleted-Italian Ryegrass (IRG) as a source of fiber on reproduction performance in pregnant sows. A total of 24 pregnant sows were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, which was given a corn-soybean diet with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% pelleted-IRG from 105 days prepartum to 7 days postpartum. During experimental period, the sows fed the IRG supplemented diet showed the lower feed intake than the sows fed the control diet (p<0.05). The changes of body weight in sows from initial to pre- and/or post-partum was significantly smaller in sows fed the IRG supplemented diet than control group. It is thought that the lower weight gain in IRG supplemented groups is caused by low feed intake. Although there was no significant difference, sows fed the IRG supplemented diet tended to increase the litter size and birth weight in piglets compared with sows fed the control diet. This result suggests that the dietary supplementation of IRG has the positive effects to improve the reproductive performance in sows. But, the excessive feeding of IRG to sows might cause to retard the days of return to estrus, and decrease the contents of solid, milk protein, and milk fat in colostrum. Thus, the addition of about 10% IRG is desirable to increase the reproductive performance. Meanwhile, the feeding energy diet is better effective than feeding the fiber diets to improve overall productivity in sows after postpartum.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.12
• /
• pp.1749-1754
• /
• 2003

The study was undertaken to see the effect of elevated feeding during pre-partum or pre- as well as post-partum period on the productive and reproductive performance of crossbred cows. The experiment lasted for 60 d pre-partum to 120 d post-partum. Eighteen dry pregnant crossbred cows divided into three equal groups were fed either as per NRC feeding standard (C) or 20% above NRC during 60 d pre-partum ($T_1$) or fed 20% above NRC during both 60 d pre-partum to 120 d post-partum ($T_2$) period. During prepartum period body weight gain was significantly ($p{\leq}0.05$) higher in $T_1$ and $T_2$ groups than that of control group. The animals fed at higher plane of nutrition ($T_1$ and $T_2$) took significantly lesser time for complete relaxation of pelvic muscles, act of calving and for expulsion of placenta than that of control group. Moreover, such cows delivered 2 to 3 kg heavier calves as compared to normal fed dams. During post-partum period, the average daily milk yield was significantly higher in $T_2$ group than that in $T_1$ and control groups. The peak yield was significantly higher in $T_2$ group, it took longer time to reach peak production but it was more persistent in this group as compared to $T_1$ and control groups. Average milk fat, solids-not-fat (SNF) and total solids were significantly higher in $T_1$ and $T_2$ groups as compared to control group. Body weight losses incurred during early lactation were not even compensated by end of 4th month of lactation in C and $T_1$ groups whereas the animals in $T_2$ group gained 2.0 kg. The 1st post-partum estrus and conception rate were better in high fed groups ($T_1$ and $T_2$) than that of control group. The returns over feed cost of milk production were higher in $T_2$ group followed by $T_1$ and control groups indicating the advantage of elevated feeding during pre- and post-partum periods.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.661-666
• /
• 2005

The effects of pre-partum feeding management in terms of birth weight, growth, metabolic profile and immunity of calves were studied using 24 crossbred (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) cows, divided into three equal groups. The dietary treatments included feeding of either 3.0 kg concentrate/head/d throughout the 60 d pre-partum (T$_1$), or 3.0 kg concentrate during 60-22 d pre-partum and thereafter at an increased allowance at 0.25 kg/d during the next 21 d till it reached 1% of live weight (T$_2$). The third group of cows was fed similar to T$_2$, except that the concentrate feeding during 60-22 d pre-partum was reduced to 2.0 kg (T$_3$). All the groups had access to ad libitum green fodder throughout. The results revealed that the mean daily dry matter (DM) intake by the cows was similar (p>0.05) among the three groups during the 60 days of the pre-partum but T2 animals tended to gain more live weight (41.25 kg) than T$_1$ (38.12 kg) and T$_3$ (36.25 kg). The body condition score of the cows did not change appreciably over the experimental period. The mean birth weight of the calves was 24.00${\pm}$1.10, 24.63${\pm}$1.17 and 23.25${\pm}$1.19 kg for the three groups, respectively, with the corresponding average daily gain of 154.2, 155.0 and 169.7 g during the subsequent 60 days; both these parameters did not vary significantly ascribable to prepartum feeding regimens of their dams. The total immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration in the colostrum was 6.31${\pm}$0.34, 5.80${\pm}$0.21 and 6.13${\pm}$0.30 g/dl for the three groups, respectively, showing no influence of dietary treatments. The mean serum Ig levels (T$_1$ 2.10${\pm}$0.09, T$_2$ 2.05${\pm}$0.09 and T$_3$ 2.10${\pm}$0.12 g/dl) of calves at 5 d of age were similar among the dietary groups as was the case with various serum biochemical constituents. It is concluded that the variations in pre-partum dietary management elicited no significant influence on the calf performance including the immune status.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.228-235
• /
• 2002

Mastitis is the most costly disease results in lost milk production, decreased milk quality, milk discard, early culling of cows, drug costs and labor costs in dairy cow. Until now, a antibiotic administration at the end of lactation, dry cow therapy has been known the most effective and widely used mastitis control method. However, dry cow therapy do not control a new infection in the late dry and prepartum period because dry cow products have only persistent activity in the early dry period. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate clinical effect of sustained released biodegradable cephalexin microsphere using PLGA in bovine mastitis control during dry period. PLGA has been approved as controlled drug release system because of non-toxic, non-tissue reactive and bioerodible characteristics. This study revealed that cephalexin microsphere had a spherical shape with characteristic porous structure on the surface. Also, in vitro drug release studies are clearly observed that the release rate of cephalexin from PLGA microsphere decrease during the first 21 days after initial burst and then increase again between 3 and 4 weeks showing pulsatile releasing pattern. On the other hand, as tried in field the new infection rate, cure rate and mean SCC after parturition in cephalexin microsphere infused group were significantly differenced as compared to the control group. Accordingly, a sustained release of cephalexin from a biodegradable microsphere could make dry cow therapy more efficiently by preventing a new infection and decreasing the number of existing infection of mammary gland during dry period.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.11
• /
• pp.1675-1688
• /
• 2022

Objective: Pregnant Nelore heifers (n = 417) were used to evaluate the effects of supplementation with monensin-molasses multinutrient block (B) during pre and/or postpartum on reproductive and progeny performance. Methods: Heifers were allocated in four treatments: i) CC: heifers received control supplement (C) in loose meal form (0.06% of body weight [BW] offered daily before and after parturition; n = 108); ii) CB: received C before parturition and B (0.07% of BW offered weekly after parturition; n = 117); iii) BC: received B before and C after parturition (n = 103) and iv) BB: received B before and after parturition (n = 89). During pre and postpartum periods, concentration of metabolites/hormones and cow/calf performance was evaluated over time. Cows were synchronized twice for fixed timed artificial insemination (FTAI) using an estradiol/progesterone-based protocol. Data was analyzed by orthogonal contrasts (C). Results: B increased pregnancy at first FTAI (p = 0.04) and overall pregnancy rate (C1: CC vs BB+BC+CB; p = 0.05). Supplemented cows had greater body condition score (BCS) only at parturition (D0; p = 0.04) and at D40 (p = 0.02). B increased BW (p = 0.03), glucose concentrations (p = 0.01) and subcutaneous fat thickness (p = 0.03) only at D40. Concentrations of insulin were higher in supplemented cows (p = 0.008). Calves born by cows supplemented before and after parturition (C2: BB vs BC+CB) were heavier at 80 (p<0.001), 120 (p<0.001), 170 (p = 0.002) and 210 (p = 0.02) days old. Conclusion: Regardless of period of treatment, block supplementation increased pregnancy at first FTAI and overall pregnancy rate. Additionality, block supplementation during both pre and postpartum periods improved progeny weight until weaning. Block supplementation can be a tool to optimize fertility and calf performance in Nelore primiparous cows.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.91-99
• /
• 2008

Gnotobiotic piglets were routinely produced by hysterectomy. In this study, 22 pregnant miniature pigs (111th to 113th day of gestation) were used for hysterectomy. Before surgery, 14 pigs were insensibilizated by Ketamine 50^® plus CO₂ gas and 8 pigs by a slaughter pistol. The high level of Ketamine 50^® (0.09㎖/kg) was faster (146 vs 283 seconds) in surgery but the time taken for complete revival of one piglet was more prolonged (427 vs 64 seconds) than 0.03㎖/kg level. In hysterectomies with a slaughter pistol, surgery time was faster (470 vs 155 seconds) and the rate of alive piglets was higher (97.0 vs 83.8%) than in those with Ketamine 50^®. There were no problems in the rate of alive newborn piglets even when sows were hysterectomized at 3 days prepartum.

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

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.522-535
• /
• 2024

Objective: Transition period is considered from 3 weeks prepartum to 3 weeks postpartum, characterized with dramatic events (endocrine, metabolic, and physiological) leading to occurrence of production diseases (negative energy balance/ketosis, milk fever etc). The objectives of our study were to analyze the periodic concentration of serum beta-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA), glucose and oxidative markers along with identification, and validation of the putative markers of negative energy balance in buffaloes using in-silico and quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. Methods: Out of 20 potential markers of ketosis identified by in-silico analysis, two were selected and analyzed by qRT-PCR technique (upregulated; acetyl serotonin o-methyl transferase like and down regulated; guanylate cyclase activator 1B). Additional two sets of genes (carnitine palmotyl transferase A; upregulated and Insulin growth factor; downregulated) that have a role of hepatic fatty acid oxidation to maintain energy demands via gluconeogenesis were also validated. Extracted cDNA (complementary deoxyribonucleic acid) from the blood of the buffaloes were used for validation of selected genes via qRTPCR. Concentrations of BHBA, glucose and oxidative stress markers were identified with their respective optimized protocols. Results: The analysis of qRT-PCR gave similar trends as shown by in-silico analysis throughout the transition period. Significant changes (p<0.05) in the levels of BHBA, glucose and oxidative stress markers throughout this period were observed. This study provides validation from in-silico and qRT-PCR assays for potential markers to be used for earliest diagnosis of negative energy balance in buffaloes. Conclusion: Apart from conventional diagnostic methods, this study improves the understanding of putative biomarkers at the molecular level which helps to unfold their role in normal immune function, fat synthesis/metabolism and oxidative stress pathways. Therefore, provides an opportunity to discover more accurate and sensitive diagnostic aids.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.426-432
• /
• 2015

This study compared blood metabolites during peri- and postpartum periods among cows with clinical or subclinical endometritis and cows without endometritis. Blood samples from 207 Holstein dairy cows were collected at 4 weeks prepartum, just after calving, and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks postpartum to measure serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), total cholesterol, albumin, urea nitrogen, ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase, glucose, and phosphorus. Clinical endometritis was diagnosed by the observation of vaginal discharge (> 50% pus) and subclinical endometritis was diagnosed by the evaluation of uterine cytology (> 18% neutrophils) at 4 weeks postpartum. Cows were divided into three groups based on the presence or absence of clinical or subclinical endometritis: the control group (n = 104), the clinical endometritis group (n = 66), and the subclinical endometritis group (n = 37). Calcium and magnesium concentrations were lower in the clinical endometritis group than in the control and subclinical endometritis groups throughout the study period (p < 0.05 to 0.0001), whereas the NEFAs concentration was higher in the clinical endometritis group than in the control group throughout the study period (p < 0.01). The total cholesterol concentration was lower in the clinical endometritis group than in the control and subclinical endometritis groups throughout the pre- and postpartum periods (p < 0.05 to 0.001). The albumin concentration was lower in the clinical endometritis group than in the control and subclinical endometritis groups during the postpartum period (p < 0.05 to 0.001). The urea nitrogen concentration was lower in the clinical endometritis group than in the control and subclinical endometritis groups at 4 and 6 weeks postpartum (p < 0.01). At 1 week postpartum, the BHBA concentration was higher in the clinical endometritis group than in the control group (p < 0.05), whereas the AST concentration was higher in the clinical endometritis and subclinical endometritis groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, lower serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium, total cholesterol, albumin, and urea nitrogen, but higher concentrations of NEFAs, BHBA, and AST during the postpartum period were associated with the incidence of clinical endometritis, indicating the importance of balanced nutrition during the transition period.