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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #142265
Title: EFFECTS OF ORAL DRENCHING OF GLYCEROL ON BLOOD PARAMETERS AND MILK PRODUCTION IN DAIRY CATTLE AT PARTURITION

Author
item STOKES, S - TEXAS A&M UNIV, TX
item KAISER, G - TARLETON ST. UNIV, TX
item Goff, Jesse
item BRAWLEY, C - TARLETON ST. UNIV, TX

Submitted to: American Dairy Science Association Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/24/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Several strategies are used to overcome the reduction in dry matter intake around calving because of the deleterious effects associated with negative energy balance at the onset of lactation. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of oral drenching glycerol for cows at parturition on energy status and milk production on a commercial dairy. One hundred and one animals (71 cows, 30 heifers) were assigned to one of two treatments. Treatments were: 9.5 L water (C) or 1.5 L glycerol added to 8.0 L water for a total volume of 9.5 L (GLY). Drenches were administered via esophageal pump (McGrath Pump) within 6 h post-calving and again at 24 h post-calving. Prior to each drench and on d 4 and 10, blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein. Plasma was separated and frozen for subsequent analysis of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB). Milk production records were collected monthly from DHIA test weights. Concentrations of plasma glucose and NEFA were unaffected by treatment (P = 0.4495 and 0.3332 for glucose and NEFA, respectively). Plasma BOHB averaged 4.549 and 5820 mg/dl at parturition in heifers and cows, respectively. Animals receiving GLY had reduced BOHB levels at 24 h post-calving compared to concentrations at 0 h (26 and 9% for heifers and cows receiving GLY, respectively); however, animals receiving C experienced increased BOHB levels at 24 h post-calving compared to concentrations at 0 h (26 and 17% for heifers and cows receiving C, respectively). Milk production averaged 34.5 and 37.1 kg per day for animals receiving C and GLY, respectively, but failed to be statistically significant due to great variation among animals within each treatment (P = 0.3455).