Abstract #M277
Section: Production, Management and the Environment
Session: Production, Management and the Environment I
Format: Poster
Day/Time: Monday 7:30 AM–9:30 AM
Location: Gatlin Ballroom
Session: Production, Management and the Environment I
Format: Poster
Day/Time: Monday 7:30 AM–9:30 AM
Location: Gatlin Ballroom
# M277
Association between changes in body condition score, NEFA, and BHBA concentrations during the transition period on fertility of Holstein cows.
R. V. Barletta*1,2, P. D. Carvalho1, M. Madureira3, T. A. Del Vale2, E. R. Madureira3, A. S. Netto2, G. M. Baez1, P. M. Fricke1, M. C. Wiltbank1, 1Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 2Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, 3Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Key Words: body condition score, fertility, transition period
Association between changes in body condition score, NEFA, and BHBA concentrations during the transition period on fertility of Holstein cows.
R. V. Barletta*1,2, P. D. Carvalho1, M. Madureira3, T. A. Del Vale2, E. R. Madureira3, A. S. Netto2, G. M. Baez1, P. M. Fricke1, M. C. Wiltbank1, 1Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 2Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, 3Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Our objective was to assess the association between body condition score (BCS) change during the transition period with pregnancies per AI (P/AI) and NEFA and BHBA concentrations in Holstein cows in a retrospective cohort study. Holstein cows (n = 232) were assessed for BCS (5 point scale; 0.25 point increments) at 21 d before, on the day of, and 21 d after calving. Blood samples were collected 21 and 7 d before, on the day of, and 7 and 21 d after calving and were assayed for NEFA and BHBA concentrations. All cows received a timed artificial insemination (TAI) after a Presynch-Ovsynch protocol at 75 ± 3 DIM. Data were analyzed by logistic regression with GLIMMIX and ANOVA with repeated measures using the MIXED procedures of SAS. Both NEFA and BHBA concentrations after calving differed (P < 0.01) for cows that lost, maintained, or gained BCS from 21 d before to 21 d after calving (NEFA: 0.49 ± 0.01; 0.40 ± 0.01; 0.43 ± 0.01 mmol/L; BHBA: 0.72 ± 0.02; 0.70 ± 0.02; 0.67 ± 0.02 mmol/L; respectively). Day of sampling relative to calving also affected (P < 0.01) NEFA and BHBA concentrations, with the greatest increase occurring 7 d after calving. Change in BCS after (P < 0.01) but not before calving affected P/AI. Cows were grouped based on BCS change after calving as to whether they: 1) lost, 2) maintained, or 3) gained BCS. By design, BCS change after calving differed (P < 0.01) among groups and was −0.38; 0.00; and 0.35 for cows in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. On the day of calving, BCS differed (P < 0.01) among groups and was 2.89; 2.69; and 2.49 for cows in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. At 21 d after calving, BCS differed (P < 0.01) among groups and was 2.51; 2.69; and 2.85 for cows in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. At 32 d after TAI, P/AI differed (P < 0.01) for cows that lost [13% (11/84)], maintained [33% (26/80)], or gained [47% (32/68)] BCS. In conclusion, changes in BCS during the transition period affected NEFA and BHBA concentrations during the transition period; however, P/AI was only affected by changes in BCS after calving.
Key Words: body condition score, fertility, transition period
