Aspects of transition cow metabolomics—Part III: Alterations in the metabolome of liver and blood throughout the transition period in cows with different liver metabotypes

The liver plays a central role in the postpartum (PP) energy metabolism of transition dairy cow; however, studies describing metabolome during this period were lacking. aim presented study was therefore to compare alterations and blood cows. For purpose, an on-farm trial with 80 German Holstein cows (mean lactation number: 3.9; range: 2–9) performed, thorough documentation clinical traits chemistry, as well production data. Liver biopsies samples collected at d 14 (mean: 12 d, 1–26 d) antepartum (AP), 7 (7, 4–13) 28 (28, 23–34; mean, earliest-latest) PP for targeted mass spectroscopy-based metabolomics analysis using AbsoluteIDQ p180 kit (Biocrates Life Sciences). Statistical performed multivariate (partial least squares discriminant analysis) univariate methods (linear mixed model). Multivariate data revealed 3 different metabotypes (A = medium, B minor, C large profile between AP PP). In metabotype C, increase almost all acylcarnitines, lysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPC), sphingomyelins, some phosphatidylcholines (PC, mainly PP) observed after calving. contrast animals indicated higher lipomobilization occurrence cow diseases. these most likely mirrors failure adaptation state. This strong much less pronounced metabolome. Additionally, differences metabolic patterns across when comparing matrices (e.g., biogenic amines, acylcarnitines sphingolipids). summary, showed lower PC, minor heterogeneous pattern AA, sphingomyelins compared AP. PP, several lysoPC, comparison state, irrespective metabotype. differed from ante partum by following metabolites: α aminoadipic acid, serotonin, taurine, symmetric dimethylarginine levels, or concentrations certain (higher: C2, C3, C5, C4:1; lower: C12:1, C14:1-OH, C16:2), lysoPC (a C16:0, C18:0, C20:3, C20:4) hexose levels. samples, fewer observed, acylcarnitine C16:2, C17:0, C18:0 C18:1), PC aa C38:0, ae C42:2. results show that use only assess may be hampered fact profiles are influenced many organs, is more suitable method identify distinct metabotypes. Future should investigate stability reproducibility phenotypes possible predictive value metabolites already differing C.