Metabolic Profiles in High-Producing Dairy Herds
Author Information
Author(s): Lena Stengärde, Madeleine Tråvén, Ulf Emanuelson, Kjell Holtenius, Jan Hultgren, Rauni Niskanen
Primary Institution: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Hypothesis
Can metabolic profiles be used at the herd level to identify specific problems in high-producing dairy herds with a history of abomasal displacement and ketosis?
Conclusion
The study found that non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) closely reflected body condition losses in dairy cows, indicating potential herd health issues.
Supporting Evidence
- All herds had overconditioned dry cows that lost body condition substantially in the first 4–6 weeks postpartum.
- NEFA was the parameter that most closely reflected body condition losses.
- Insulin and cholesterol levels were potentially useful in herd profiles but need further investigation.
- Increased glutamate dehydrogenase suggested liver cell damage in all herds.
Takeaway
This study looked at dairy cows to see how their health changes around calving, finding that certain blood tests can help spot problems in the herd.
Methodology
The study assessed body condition scores and metabolic profiles of cows in five herds using linear mixed models over multiple examinations.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in herd selection based on veterinarian recommendations.
Limitations
The study was limited to five herds and may not be generalizable to all dairy herds.
Participant Demographics
The study included 94 clinically healthy cows from five high-producing dairy herds in Sweden.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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