The Animal Biology

LONGEVITY OF DAIRY COWS — ENERGY PROFILE

G. Kováč¹, J. Konvičná¹, M. Vargová¹, V. Petrovič¹, T. Vozár²

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In the study we compared parameters of energy profile in relation to number of lactation of dairy cows. We analysed blod serum to glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols and total lipids of Slovak Pied dairy cows with number of lactation (I L — 6 cows, II L — 5 cows, III L — 6 cows, IV L — 5 cows). Blood samples were collected 20 days a.p. and 20, 40, 60, 80 days p.p.

There were observed lower concentrations of glucose and BHB in groups of cows I L and II L compared with cows of groups of III L and IV L. The highest concentrations of glucose was recorded in cows IV L 20 days a.p. (4.32±0.09; P<0.01). NEFA and TL were increased with a.p. period. TCH values in groups III L and IV L, were lower than in groups of cows I L and II L (P<0.01; P<0.05). In the assessment of concentration of TG was found the highest concentrations in group of cows I L during ante-partum (0.22±0,03; P<0.05). Cows during a.p. had significantly higher TG concentrations compared to cows in postpartal period (P<0.05). These results showed dynamic changes in the energy profile during a.p. and p.p. which reflect the physiological response of the organism to the variation of metabolic functions occuring from gestational to a lactating state in dairy cows. Our results indicate that older cows have higher levels of blood GL, BHB and NEFA levels, which proves that dairy cows with higher number of lactations have a better adaptation to the metabolic challenge, for example to milk production, in terms of maintenance of glycemia.

Keywords: ENERGY PROFILE, DAIRY COWS, NUMBER OF LACTATION, LONGEVITY

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