Relationship of BCS Prepartum with Reproductive Performance and Lipomobilization in Holstein Dairy Cows

Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: September 16, 2016 January 05, 2017 February 04, 2017 March 11, 2017 Body condition score (BCS) changes and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) are good indicators for measuring lipomobilization during the transition period. The aim of this study was to establish the possible correlation between cows with a higher BCS during this period and their reproductive performance postpartum. A total of 47 Holstein dairy cows were randomly allotted into two groups according to their prepartum BCS, including: G1 (BCS 3.5 to 3.75, n = 20) and G2 (BCS >3.75, n=27). Moreover, another two groups were established at 14 day postpartum: G3, 37 cows lost more than 0.75 points of BCS and G4, 10 cows lost 0.75 points or less. Blood samples were obtained from 10 to 7 days before expected calving, and 14 days postpartum in all groups and serum concentrations of glucose, βhydroxybutyrate, NEFA, urea, calcium and hepatic enzymes, and reproductive parameters were determined. NEFA values showed that cows of G2 and G4 had a higher lipomobilization than G1 and G3. Moreover, cows with a BCS of more than 3.75 and NEFA values of more than 495 μmol/L prepartum had a higher risk of non-pregnancy at first AI, and there was an increase in the number of open cows at 150 DIM, this being the reason why the elimination rate due to non-pregnancy increases (20%) and their reproductive lives shorten.