Monitoring the Transition Period in Dairy Cows through 1H NMR-Based Untargeted Metabolomics

The metabolic alterations associated with the increase in milk production make transition period critical to health of dairy cows, usually leading a higher incidence disease periparturient animals. In this manuscript, we describe use NMR-based untargeted metabolomics follow how these changes impact serum metabolome group 28 cows no initial clinical diseases. Principal component analysis (PCA) 1H NMR data from four weeks before calving 8 after parturition allowed us clearly identify stages during period. Pairwise comparisons using orthogonal partial least square discriminant (OPLS-DA) and univariate led identification 18 metabolites that varied significantly through stages. Species such as acetate, betaine, creatine are observed early calving, while other markers stress, including acetone, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), choline, accumulate at height production. Furthermore, marked variations levels lactate, allantoin, alanine, amino acids reveal activation different gluconeogenic pathways following parturition. Concomitant return homeostasis, gradual normalization occurs calving. Correlations metabolite dietary adaptations based on animal parity could also be identified. Overall, results show chemometric methods ideally suited monitor manifestations diseases throughout assess nutritional management schemes metabolism cows.