Regulation of Feed Intake in Transition Cows: Application of the Hepatic Oxidation Hypothesis

Prolonged depression of feed intake in the periparturient period can greatly reduce health, reproductive performance, and milk yield. • Lipolysis in the periparturient period results in increased uptake, storage, and oxidation of fatty acids in the liver. • Hepatic oxidation of fuels results in a signal from the liver to the brain, known to terminate meals in nonruminants. • Increased hepatic oxidation of fatty acids in the periparturient period increases acetyl CoA available for oxidation in the TCA cycle. • Rapid absorption of propionate during meals stimulates oxidation of acetyl CoA and induces satiety. • Diets should be formulated to minimize fuels that stimulate hepatic oxidation as a percent of total fuels consumed, while increasing plasma glucose concentration and decreasing lipolysis.