Body condition and indicators of energy status of cows in advanced gravidity and early stage of lactation

The objective of the investigations was to establish the validity of certain metabolic and endocrine indicators of energy metabolism in comparison with the body condition of cows during the final stage of pregnancy and the early stage of lactation. For the investigations, three groups of eight cows each were chosen during the dry period (15 days before the expected date of calving), in early puerperium (15 days after calving) and on the 100th day of lactation. All the animals included in the experiment were primipara or at their second delivery. The body condition of the cows in advanced pregnancy and lactation was evaluated according to the Elanco Animal Health Bulletin AI 8478 system. Concentrations of glucose and beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) were determined in samples of fresh blood, and concentrations of total bilirubin, urea, triiodothyronine and thyroxine in samples of blood serum. The blood samples were taken during the dry period, in early puerperium, and on the 100th day of lactation. On the grounds of the obtained results, a high degree of correlation was determined between the body condition of cows in early puerperium and BHB concentrations in blood established 15 days prior to calving (r = 0.898; p < 0.01). Contrary to this, a significant correlation was established between the body condition of cows in the dry period and the concentration of total bilirubin in cow blood 15 days after calving (r = 0.603; p < 0.05). Furthermore, a high degree of correlation was established between the difference in the body condition of cows in the dry period and in early puerperium (X = 0.49 ± 0.21 pints) and BHB concentration in the blood of cows prior to calving (r = 0.800; p < 0.02). It can be concluded on the grounds of the obtained results that changes in the body condition of cows that occur in the peripartal period are in significant correlation with BHB concentration in the blood of cows in the dry period and the concentration of total bilirubin in early puerperium.