Archives of Veterinary Science v.6, n.2, p.83-88, 2001
Printed in Brazil
ISSN: 1517-784X
NUMBER OF LACTATIONS AFFECTS METABOLIC PROFILE OF DAIRY COWS
(O número de lactações afeta o perfil metabólico de vacas leiteiras)
1
2
3
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4
ROSSATO, W. ; GONZÁLEZ, F.H.D. ; DIAS, M.M. ; RICCÓ, D. ; VALLE, S.F ;
ROSA, V.L.La5; CONCEIÇÃO, T.4; DUARTE, F.4; WALD, V.6
1
Mestrando do Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias da UFRGS
Professor do Departamento de Patologia Clínica da faculdade de Veterinária da UFRGS
3
Médicos Veterinários
4
Estudantes de Veterinária da UFRGS
5
Técnica do Laboratório de Bioquímica Clínica Animal da FAVET-UFRGS
6
Professora de Estatística da FAVET-UFRGS
2
ABSTRACT - The present work had the aim of characterizing the metabolic condition of a herd of
Holstein dairy cows during the postpartum period, using the blood metabolic profile, and comparing
two groups of animals, one group of 10 cows of 1-2 lactations and the other one of 9 cows of 3 or
more lactations. The herd was located in Taquari Valley, southern region of Brazil. Blood samples
rd
th
were collected from the 3 week postpartum, and every 3 weeks until the 15 week postpartum. Nine
components of blood plasma were determined by spectrophotometry techniques. Cows of 1-2
lactations had higher body condition losses during early lactation, which could affect their metabolic
adaptation in that period. Concerning the metabolic profile, there were observed a lesser glycemia
and higher values of beta-hydroxybutirate in cows of 1-2 lactations. Cholesterol and albumin levels
were progressively increased with postpartum period in both groups of animals. Albumin value
th
considered as recuperation point after calving (30 g/l) was reached in the 6 week in cows of 3 or
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more lactations and only in the 9 week in cows with 1-2 lactations. There was a tendency of older
cows to have lesser calcium levels. The data suggest that cows with 3 or more lactations have a
better adaptation to the metabolic challenge of milk production, in terms of maintenance of glycemia
and recuperation of albuminemia, events that can have a great impact on productive performance of
dairy cows.
Key words: Metabolic profile, dairy cattle, lactation number.
RESUMO - Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a condição metabólica de um rebanho de
vacas da raça Holandesa durante o período do pós-parto mediante a análise do perfil bioquímico
sangüíneo, comparando dois grupos de animais, um composto por 10 vacas de 1 a 2 lactações e o
segundo composto por 9 vacas de 3 ou mais lactações. O rebanho estava localizado na região do
vale do Taquari, estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas a partir da 3ª
semana pós-parto, a cada 3 semanas até a 15ª semana. No plasma sangüíneo foram determinados 9
componentes mediante técnicas de espectrofotometria. As vacas com 1-2 lactações sofreram maior
perda de reservas corporais durante a lactação, fato que deve influir na sua adaptação metabólica
nesse período. Com relação ao perfil metabólico foram observados uma menor glicemia e maiores
valores de beta-hidroxibutirato nos animais de 1-2 lactações. Os níveis do colesterol e de albumina
foram crescentes durante o pós-parto nos dois grupos de animais. O valor de albumina considerado
de recuperação após o parto (30 g/l) foi atingido na 6ª semana nas vacas de 3 ou mais lactações e
somente na 9ª semana no grupo de vacas com 1-2 lactações. Houve uma tendência de os animais
mais velhos terem níveis de calcemia menores que os animais mais novos. Os dados sugerem que
as vacas de maior número de lactações têm melhor adaptação ao desafio metabólico da lactação,
em termos de manutenção da glicemia e recuperação da albuminemia, eventos com possível
impacto no desempenho produtivo dos animais.
Palavras-chave: Perfil metabólico, gado leiteiro, número de lactações.
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Number of lactations affects metabolic profile of dairy cows
Introduction
The metabolic profile test was
developed by Payne in Compton (England) as
a diagnostic tool to study causes of production
diseases in dairy cows (PAYNE et al., 1970).
The term “metabolic profile” refers to the
analysis of blood biochemical constituents that
are useful to evaluate and prevent metabolic
and nutritional problems in dairy herds
(WITTWER, 1995; GONZÁLEZ et al., 2000).
Usefulness of metabolic profile is
more relevant in such periods when animals
are more susceptible to metabolic changes, as
in
early
lactation,
considering
herd
characteristics, geographic location and
physiologycal status of the animals (PAYNE e
PAYNE, 1987).
Early
lactation imposes severe
metabolic changes that challenge the
organism to maintain an homeostatic
equilibrium to compensate the great expenses
of nutrients that lactogenesis demands
(ELDON et al., 1988).
Some works have shown differences
in the metabolism of dairy cows affected by
the number of previous lactations that can
cause variations in the metabolic profile of
those animals. SOMMER (1975) established in
German Holstein cows that nutritional failures
inherent to early lactation period, produce
consecutive injuries to liver, which increase
with the number of calving. This author
showed that cases of hepatic insufficiency
occur more frequently with subsequent
lactations and are exacerbated with higher
milk yield. This situation is important to
understand the increased mortality of cows
following the third lactation, observed by this
author, particularly in winter and early spring,
when feed was less abundant.
KANEKO et al. (1997) mentioned that
it is very common to observe cows in lactation
suffering hepatic lesions, with increased
enzyme activity of aspartate transaminase
(AST) in plasma, as a consequence of great
lipid mobilization occurring in a situation of
negative energy balance, specially in high
yielding cows with three or more lactations.
ROWLANDS et al. (1977) concluded,
in a work with dairy cows in England, that the
fertility of some cows might be influenced by
the number of previous lactations, due to
metabolic alterations.
The aim of the present work was to
study how the number of previous lactations
could affect the metabolic profile of Holstein
cows during early postpartum, in a dairy herd
of southern Brazil (State of Rio Grande do
Sul).
Materials and Methods
The present work was performed in a
dairy herd located at Taquari Valley, State of
Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. The
property had a total of 90 Holstein cows in
lactation, with an average milk production of
21 l/cow/day. Experimental animal (19) were:
Group 1: cows with 1 or 2 lactations
(n= 10), with a mean body weigh of 556  61.5
kg;
Group 2: cows with 3 or more
lactations (n= 9), with a mean body weigh of
630  80.4 kg.
All animals were selected in the final
third of pregnancy and clinically examined to
be healthy.
Blood samples (10 ml) were collected
from those cows from March to August,
corresponding to autumn to winter seasons in
southern Brazil, from the coccigean vein, after
the first milking in the morning, using
vacutainer tubes with sodium heparin and
conserved refrigerated in ice box during
transportation to the laboratory, where they
were centrifuged (1.687 g for 15 min) and
plasma stocked in eppendorf tubes at -20C,
until its determination procedure. The sample
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periods began in the 3 week postpartum,
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every 3 weeks until the 15 postpartum.
Body weight and condition scores were
registered every 3 weeks simultaneously with
blood samples. Body condition score was
evaluated according to a 1 to 5 scale
(LOWMAN, 1985).
The following plasma metabolites
were determined by spectrophotometric
1
methods: glucose (glucose oxidase method) ,
beta-hydroxybutirate
(ultraviolet
2
kinetic-enzymatic
method) ,
cholesterol
1
(cholesterol oxidase method) , albumin
(bromocresol green method)1, urea (urease
1
Biobrás/Katal, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil
Randox, Antrin, United Kingdom
3
Labtest Diagnóstica S.A., Lagoa Santa-MG, Brazil
4
bicalcium phosphate, calcium iodate, Zn oxide, Mg
oxide, Na selenite, Co sulphate, Cu sulphate,
vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, sodium chlorate,
elemental sulphur, ferrum sulphate, Mn sulphur,
antioxidant.
2
Archives of Veterinary Science v.6, n.2, p.83-88, 2001
85
Number of lactations affects metabolic profile of dairy cows
method)1,
aspartate
aminotransferase
2
(ultraviolet
kinetic-enzymatic
method) ,
1
calcium (ftalein-purple method) , phosphorus
3
(ammonium
molibdate
method)
and
1
magnesium (magon-sulfonate method) .
Cows were feed twice daily using
mixer wagons at a free stall, having no access
to pasture. Total ration was composed with
corn silage, concentrate, oats, soja mass,
sodium bicarbonate and a vitamin-mineral
4
supplement . Cows of the two groups
remained separated and water was offered ad
libitum.
The data were analyzed for statistics
using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with
significance of 0,05 to observe differences
between groups of cows and among periods of
sampling.
Results and Discussion
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Initial milk yield (3 week) was lower in
cows with 3 or more lactations (Table 1).
However, in further weeks these cows had
higher milk production than cows with 1 or 2
lactations. Body condition score was lower in
cows with 1 or 2 lactations, with a significant
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difference (P<0,05) in the12 week of lactation
(Table 1). These data indicate that cows with
less than 3 lactations suffer a higher loss of
body reserves during lactation, possibly as a
consequence of having its metabolism
compromised with growth. This fact may
influence metabolic adaptation of younger
cows during lactation.
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There was a decline in glycemia after 6
week of lactation in cows with 1-2 lactations,
compared with cows of 3 or more lactations
(Table 2). Overall glucose was higher in older
cows (3,3  0,5 mmol/l) than in younger cows
(2,7  0,8 mmol/l).
Plasma levels of beta-hydroxybutirate
(Table 2) were higher in cows with 1-2
lactations (1,0  0,8 mmol/l) than cows with
more lactations (0,7  0,6 mmol/l). Levels
above 1 mmol/l are associated with subclinical
ketosis, when concomitant with hypoglycemia
(KANEKO et al., 1997).
These data suggest that older cows
have a better ability to maintain homeostasis
of glucose, mainly during the peak of milk
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production (6 week).
Returning of cholesterolemia to a level
above 2 mmol/l, which may indicates an
adequate liver metabolism (SOMMER, 1975),
was earlier in cows of 3 or more lactations
(Table 2). This may reflect that metabolism of
Archives of Veterinary Science v.6, n.2, p.83-88, 2001
older cows has a better energetic adaptation
during early lactation than younger cows.
Plasma values of albumin had an
increasing tendency in the two groups of
animals (Table 3). However, the limit value of
30 g/l described by several authors as a level
of recovery after calving, was achieved in the
6th week in older cows and only after 9 weeks
in younger cows. This could reveal that, also in
protein metabolism, cows of more number of
lactations have a better adaptation to the
challenge of milk production.
Average urea values (4,7 to 6,3
mmol/l) were lower than those related by
KANEKO et al. (1997), who cited a reference
range of 7,4 to 10,7 mmol/l, but they were
similar to the values described by WITTWER
et al. (1987) from 2,6 to 7,0 mmol/l. Urea
levels did not show significant differences
between groups of cows. Meanwhile, there
was a tendency to be higher in older cows
(Table 3). This could be related to age
differences in protein metabolism (PAYNE and
PAYNE, 1987).
Plasma activity of the enzyme
aspartate transaminase (AST), used to
evaluate liver function (SOMMER, 1975), did
not show any increase nor difference between
groups and among periods, maintaining mean
values from 79,3 to 139,7 U/l, which are
considered normal (KANEKO et al., 1997).
Mineral plasma levels are shown in
Table 4. Calcium total values can be altered
with lactation (CORBELLINI, 1998). In the
present work, it was observed a tendency of
older animals to have a lower calcemia,
similarly to other authors mentioned and
justified by the diminished efficiency in
intestinal absorption of calcium with age
(ROSOL e CHEW, 1995).
In relation to phosphorus, it was
observed a tendency to decrease in the 15th
week, when values of both groups of cows
were below the minimum limit (1,8 mmol/l)
reported by KANEKO et al. (1997). Cows with
1-2 lactations had a significantly lower value in
that week than in the other periods. This fact
suggests that there could be a negative
balance of phosphorus at the end of the
considered period.
Collectively, the present data suggest
that cows with 3 or more lactations with a
production level of approximately 24 to 30
l/day, may have a better metabolic adaptation
to face the challenge of milk production in
early postpartum than younger cows. Hepatic
and metabolic problems of older dairy cows
reported by other authors (SOMMER, 1975;
86
Number of lactations affects metabolic profile of dairy cows
KANEKO et al., 1997) may have related to
higher milk yields rather than greater number
of lactations.
Conclusions
1) Cows with 1-2 lactations suffered
a greater loss of body reserves during
lactation than cows of 3 or more lactations.
2) There was a reduction in glycemia
in the 6th week of lactation in cows of 1-2
lactations, period corresponding to the peak of
milk yield.
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3) In the 6 to 9 weeks of lactation,
glycemia was significantly lower in cows of 1-2
lactations, suggesting that older cows have a
better ability to maintain the homeostasis of
glucose, mainly during the peak of milk
production.
4) BHB values of cows with 1-2
lactations were higher than cows with 3 or
more lactations.
5) Cholesterolemia had an earlier
recuperation in older cows than in younger
cows.
6) Values
of
plasma
albumin
increased progressively during the postpartum
period in both groups of cows. Recovery value
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after calving (30 g/l) was achieved before (6
week) in cows with more lactations than cows
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with less lactations (9 week).
7) Older cows had a tendency to
lower calcemia levels than younger cows.
References
CORBELLINI,C. N. Las enfermedades de la
producción en las vacas lecheras en
transición. Estudio Ganadero Pergamino,
p. 11-29. 1998.
ELDON,J.;
OLAFSSON,T.;
THORSTEINSSON,T. The relationship
between blood and fertility parameters in
postpartum dairy cows. Acta Veterinaria
Scandinavica v.29, p.393-399, 1988.
GONZÁLEZ,F.H.D.;
BARCELLOS,J.;
PATIÑO,H.O.; RIBEIRO,L.A. (Eds.) Perfil
metabólico em ruminantes. Seu uso em
nutrição e doenças nutricionais. Porto
Alegre, Gráfica da Universidade Federal do
Rio Grande do Sul, 2000, 108p.
KANEKO,J.J.; HARVEY,J.W.; BRUSS,M.C.
Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic
th
Animals 5 ed. San Diego, Academic
Press Inc, 1997.
LOWMAN,B.G. Feeding in relation to suckler
cow: management and fertility. Veterinary
Record v.117, p.80-85, 1985.
PAYNE,J.M.;
DEW,S.M.;
MANSTON,R.;
FAULKS,M. The use of metabolic test in
dairy herds. Veterinary Record. v.87,
p.150-157, 1970.
PAYNE,J.M.; PAYNE,S. The Metabolic
Profile Test. Oxford University Press, New
York, 1987, 179p.
ROSOL,T.J.; CHEW,D.J. Pathophysiology of
calcium metabolism. Veterinary Clinic
Pathology v.24, p.49-63, 1995.
ROWLANDS,G.J.;
LITTLE.W.;
KITCHENHAN,B.A. Relationships between
blood composition and fertility in dairy cows
- a field study. Journal of Dairy Research
v.44, p.1-7, 1977.
SOMMER,H. Preventive medicine in dairy
cows. Veterinary Medicine Review v.44,
p.42-63, 1975.
WITTWER,F.;
BÖHMWALD
H.;
CONTRERAS,P.A.;FILOZA,J. Análisis de
los resultados de perfiles metabólicos en
rebaños lecheros en Chile. Archivos de
Medicina Veterinaria v.19, n 2, p.35-45,
1987.
WITTWER, F. Empleo de los perfiles
metabólicos en el
diagnóstico de
desbalances metabólicos nutricionales en
el ganado. Buiatria v.2, p.16-20, 1995.
Archives of Veterinary Science v.6, n.2, p.83-88, 2001
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Number of lactations affects metabolic profile of dairy cows
TABLE 1. MEAN AND STANDARD DEVIATION OF MILK YIELD AND BODY CONDITION
SCORE FROM 3RD TO 15TH WEEK AFTER CALVING IN HOLSTEIN COWS
WITH DIFFERENT NUMBER OF LACTATIONS.
Weeks
Milk yield (l/day)
Body condition score
postpartum
1-2 lactations
1-2 lactations
3
3
lactations
lactations
3
31,0  2,1
29,3  8,7
2,7  0,4
2,9  0,4
6
32,0  3,6
32,6  8,6
2,3  0,7
2,2  0,6
9
27,7  5,0
29,5  10,6
2,2  0,5
2,6  0,4
a
b
12
24,4  6,0
27,3  7,3
2,3  0,4
2,8  0,5
15
24,2  6,5
26,2  5,8
2,6  0,4
2,9  0,3
Different letter indicates significant difference (P<0,05) between groups.
TABLE 2. PLASMA LEVELS OF GLUCOSE, BETA-HYDROXYBUTIRATE AND CHOLESTEROL
IN POSTPARTUM DAIRY COWS WITH DIFFERENT NUMBER OF LACTATIONS
RD
TH
FROM 3 TO 15 WEEK AFTER CALVING.
Weeks
Glucose
Beta-hydroxybutirate
Cholesterol
post(mmol/l)
(mmol/l)
(mmol/l)
partum
1-2 lactations  3 lactations
1-2
 3 lactations 1-2 lactations
3
lactations
lactations
3
3,1  0,6
3,1  0,3
1,0  0,5
1,1  1,0
1,9  0,7
2,1  0,2
6
2,1  0,3
3,3  0,5
0,8  0,4
1,0  0,8
1,6  0,4
2,0  0,2
b
a
9
2,9  0,3
3,7  0,5
1,2  0,6
0,6  0,3
2,1  0,8
1,8 0,5
12
2,8  0,7
3,4  0,4
1,1  0,6
0,8  0,9
2,0  0,6
1,9  0,5
15
2,8  0,6
3,4  0,5
0,8  0,7
0,8  0,3
1,4  0,4
1,7  0,5
Different letters indicate significant difference (P<0,05) between groups.
Archives of Veterinary Science v.6, n.2, p.83-88, 2001
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Number of lactations affects metabolic profile of dairy cows
TABLE 3. PLASMA LEVELS OF ALBUMIN AND UREA IN POSTPARTUM DAIRY COWS WITH
DIFFERENT NUMBER OF LACTATIONS FROM 3RD TO 15TH WEEK AFTER
CALVING.
Weeks
Albumin(g/l)
Urea (mmol/l)
postpartum
1-2 lactations
1-2 lactations
3
 3 lactations
lactations
3
27,4  4,0
28,9  3,6
4,7  1,2
5,2  1,7
6
29,7  3,8
31,7  1,4
5,0  1,1
6,0  2,2
9
28,6  4,2
30,6  1,6
5,6  2,0
5,7  1,7
12
31,7  3,5
34,7  3,6
5,2  2,0
6,3  1,7
15
31,6  5,8
34,4  2,6
5,8  1,8
6,1  2,2
TABLE
Weeks
postpartum
4.
PLASMA LEVELS OF CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND PHOSPHORUS IN
POSTPARTUM DAIRY COWS WITH DIFFERENT NUMBER OF LACTATIONS
RD
TH
FROM 3 TO 15 WEEK AFTER CALVING.
Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphorus
(mmol/l)
(mmol/l)
(mmol/l)
1-2 lactations
1-2
 3 lactations 1-2 lactations
lactations
3
2,6  0,3
2,4  0,3
1,0  0,1
1,0  0,1
1,9  0,7
6
2,5  0,2
2,6  0,4
0,9  0,1
0,9  0,1
1,6  0,4
9
2,7  0,3
2,3  0,3
0,9  0,2
0,9  0,2
2,1  0,8
12
2,8  0,4
2,5  0,4
0,9  0,2
0,9  0,1
2,0  0,6
b
15
2,7  0,5
2,6  0,2
0,9  0,2
0,9  0,1
1,4  0,4
Different letters indicate significant difference (P<0,05) between groups.
 3 lactations
3
lactations
2,1  0,2
2,0  0,2
1,8 0,5
1,9  0,5
a
1,7  0,5
Archives of Veterinary Science v.6, n.2, p.83-88, 2001