• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.266-275
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• 2022

The impact of heat stress (HS) on reproductive performance and its problems in cows remains to be investigated in Bangladesh. The study was, therefore, aimed to evaluate the effect of HS on fertility and reproductive health problems of dairy cows in a selected area of Bangladesh. A total of 1,095 cows from 500 farms were included in this study. The climate-related data were recorded daily basis for every month in a year and temperature-humidity index (THI) values were calculated to determine the level of HS. Concurrently, data on fertility parameters [number of services per conception (NSC), conception rate (CR) and calving to the first service interval (CFSI)], and reproductive problems were collected through a pre-defined questionnaire. The results show that crossbred [Native x Holstein-Friesian, (HF)] cows were more vulnerable (p < 0.05) to a magnitude of HS effects considering physiological parameters of cows [age, body condition score (BCS), parity and milk yield]. Regarding fertility, HS had no effect on NSC, CR and CFSI in both native and crossbred cows (p > 0.05). The findings on the reproductive problems indicate that HS had significant influence on the prevalence of anestrus (χ² = 21.814, p < 0.05) and retained placenta (χ² = 24.632, p < 0.05) in cows. Of note, the prevalence of repeat breeding syndrome was 2.5 folds higher in stress condition than in no stress condition. Abortion and dystocia were not influenced by HS. In conclusion, HS does not influence the fertility parameters of cows studied; however, anestrus and retained placenta are likely to occur under HS conditions in cows.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.839-846
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• 2006

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary addition of sucrose, propylene glycol and Tween 80 (Polysorbate 80 : Non-ionic Surfactants) on pre-partum (21 d) and post-partum (21 d) nutrients intake, blood metabolites, occurrence of metabolic disorders, milk yield and its composition in Holstein cows. Two basal diets were formulated each for pre- and post-partum period. The diets were mixed daily and fed at ad libitum to transitional cows. Forty cows of similar parity and milk yield were randomly divided into four groups (ten animals in each). The cows in three groups were supplemented either with 280g of sucrose/day (SU), SU+64g propylene glycol/day (SUP) or SUP+50g Tween80/day (SUPT). The feed for the fourth group was not supplemented and this group served as control (C). Pre-partum DM, total digestible nutrients (TDN), and crude protein (CP) intake was similar in cows fed C, SU, SUP, and SUPT diets. Post-partum DM, TDN, and CP intakes were the highest with SUPT diet followed by SU, SUP and control diets. Pre-partum blood non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration was noticed significantly higher in cows fed control diet compared to those fed SU, SUP and SUPT diets. The concentration of NEFA was similar at calving and during post-partum period across cows fed different experimental diets. Blood glucose and Ca concentration during pre- and post-partum periods were not significantly different in cows fed C, SU, SUP and SUPT diets. Milk yield (kg/day) was similar in cows fed different experimental diets. However, milk fat percent and 4% fat corrected milk yield were higher in cows fed SU diet (p<0.05) followed by SUP, SUPT and C diets. One case of ketosis was recorded in cows fed control diet however its occurrence was not observed in cows fed other diets. Occurrence of retained placenta and mastitis was numerically higher in cows fed control diet compared with those fed SU, SUP and SUPT diets. In conclusion, the NIS and propylene glycol feeding along with sucrose could improve the 4% fat corrected milk and fat yield in early lactating cows with significant reduction in NEFA and metabolic disorders during transitional period.

• 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.

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