Metabolic parameters during lactation.

Liver biopsies and blood samples were obtained at 35 and 250 DPP from cows in the G0 (white) and G1 (grey) groups. Graphs show the concentrations of (A) liver triglyceride, (B) plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and (C) plasma NEFA. Results are shown with box plots, the box extends from the 25th to 75th percentile, the line in the middle of the box is the median, the cross is the mean and the whiskers represent the minimum and maximum values (N = 8–12), * P D) and (E) the correlations between β-hydroxybutyrate, triglycerides and NEFA are shown (N = 8–12). G0: Cows were fed TMR ad libitum from calving to 180 DPP. G1: Cows grazed Festuca arundinacea plus a commercial concentrate or Medicago supplemented with TMR (50% of G0 offer), depending on heat stress conditions, from calving to 180 DPP. From 180 to 250 DPP both groups grazed Medicago sativa and were supplemented with TMR (50% of G0 offer at 180 DPP).